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Commentary
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 Hebrews Chapter 10 The law, since the perfect and complete work of Christ to the cross had not yet occurred, could never with repeated sacrifices year on year make the whole of Israel perfect. (v1) Were the system of sacrifices a perfect representation of Christ, not only would they have replaced Christ Himself and ceased the reason for His first ministry, but they would have ceased the need for them to be given year on year. (v2) Such a perfect system would make the Holy Spirit unnecessary, yet the Holy Spirit is necessary for the grace of God to be fruitful in effect: Were the sacrifices perfect, the consciences of those sinners of Israel would have been perfected, and the sinners would be perfected sinless by a mere physical sacrifice. Though the old system of sacrifices is imperfect being required year on year (v3) and can not alter the behaviour and conscience of those sinners, (v4) were they actually perfect, the necessary Holy Spirit would not have been given under a physical system, although the whole of Israel would be as sanctified - a contradiction, effect without cause. The sacrifice of animals is not enough to give God pleasure in men, but that there were a remnant of faith filled believers in Israel from which could be formed a people for God (the remnant - a body) was certainly true. (v5) So, Christ came into the world not for propitiation under the old system of sacrifice, for it can not justify the grace of God by the Holy Spirit, being a mere physical representation; the sinners in Israel were remaining in bondage under sin or reprobacy - the system of sacrifices could not engender a worthy faith towards God within which God has pleasure in men. (v6) The Holy Spirit could not be given to Israel as a whole under physical terms, (by lineage) when some were reprobate (making the whole impure). Thus, burnt offerings give God no pleasure, for He is without respect of persons. Christ, having come to be obedient, (v7) was obedient then to translate Israel from the old system of sacrifice (v8) to a new law of faith, drawn from Israel as a remnant of the people, so that grace and the Holy Spirit could sanctify wholly a separated people for God. (v9) Having offered Himself once and justified the giving of grace under the Holy Spirit, (by showing not just the possibility of perfect behaviour according to the law, but of perfect faith) and whilst mediating a new covenant of that grace, the covenant was sealed with blood once, as did Moses seal the first covenant. (v10) For those physical sacrifices of the old system can never take away sins. (v11) But Jesus having justified the giving of the Holy Spirit to train all believers in repentance, has been given all judgement (v12) so that whether any believe on Him they might be saved, and those that are antichrist, and the reprobate might be expunged from Israel as after the old system. Once evil is defeated, then there is neither the need or requirement for it in further creation. (v13) For, in offering Himself only that once, those that He judges saved after His own gospel He has perfected forever, (even if it has in them a delayed start). (v14) The Holy Spirit, being given is a witness of this self same thing, training believers in the acts of repentance and of the obedience of God, (v15) by reforming and renewing the mind, and specifically, the conscience. (v16) Once elected, then providing that the grace is not neglected; the sins and iniquities which are past are remembered no more. (v17) Now, when sin and iniquity have been forgotten forever, there is no further requirement to give offering of sacrifice either under the old or the new. (v18) We should be very thankful, and glad to be reconciled to God by so great a salvation by the obedience of Christ. (v19) In the fashion that we are not condemned and cut off by the commandments of the law, but are living into our inheritance of eternal life by the forgiveness of sins, that we may attain our eventual perfection. (That Christ has opened up with His death and resurrection.) (v20) Having Him as a high priest that has offered sacrifice once and for all, and can help us with repentance as we are tempted, being acquainted as fully with temptation as we. (v21) Therefore, as we are sealed in the new covenant by the blood of Christ, His ministry completed on the cross, and transformed by the renewing of our minds by the Holy Spirit as pure water, taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ (v22) we must hold true to the truth of the gospel, without altering it to fashion it to the law, but fashioning the ordinances as after the more true gospel of grace it is in fact actually representing. (v23) Helping and encouraging one another in good works (v24) not concerned with ourselves only, but showing the due charity to one another salted with the same forgiveness that is shown us all by the Holy Spirit. (v25) Looking forward to the day when Christ comes out of the heavenly sanctuary back to be amongst us. For the covenant is sealed once and for all, and to be backsliding is to break that seal and force a second sealing - that the bands of grace can be broken and reformed is a contradiction, unless they be merely relaxed: but if a man sins or is reprobate then those bands would be strengthened for sure (another contradiction). In this manner there would be no more sacrifice for a second sealing. (v26) Instead, there is a coming judgement upon those that are unfruitful, unworthy and adversarial and trample the new covenant. (v27) Under the law of Moses, the severity demanded a man lose his life after condemnation by two or more witnesses: (v28) then much worse is the judgement against those that trample on the grace of God and fall from the sealing of that grace. (v29) For God knows the very hearts and minds of all His people, and the elected by grace of the remnant of Israel and those grafted in with them are sanctified Holy to God. Those that are without and meet the description of backslidden or lukewarm will be counted as reprobates and unbelievers also. (v30) Then there is no neglecting the grace of God, for the law divides into black and white, not shades of grey. (v31) Paul encourages them to remember how very greatly the believers strove to accept the words of Christ with any opposition (v32) whilst they were made a laughing stock and a spectacle (v33) not themselves only, but by charity towards those that were treated so poorly. They showed Paul kindness when he was imprisoned and sold their possessions to provide for the saints during their hardship, trusting in the riches of their inheritance in Christ over the cares of this world. (v34) In this manner they showed formerly great faith, so to remember the same faith in the continuance of their repentance and vigourous zeal, they can with confidence know they are truly in expectancy of reward. (v25) The grace of God is testing, and endurance for the believer with patience, not to be distressed overly, but to accept the ministering of that testing by God that seals them worthy of election under grace. (v36) For the Holy Spirit will soon come to those that show great faith and readiness to repent, and will not wait long before Christ has interceded for His own.(v37) Once justified under grace, the believers therefore live by faith, but there is no pleasure to be had in those that cast off the promise of the Holy Spirit or would even crucify Christ twice. (v38) But the believers are not those that seek after sin, but seek the truth; they are living by faith that through Christ they are become elected and receive the seal of the Holy Spirit. (v39) |
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