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Scott's Reference Library
See: November 16, 2003 | November 19, 2006 | November 15, 2009
Hebrews 10:11 through Hebrews 10:25 (NIV)
11Day after day every priest stands and performs his religious duties; again
and again he offers the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. 12But
when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at
the right hand of God. 13Since that time he waits for his enemies to be made his
footstool, 14because by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are
being made holy.
15The Holy Spirit also testifies to us about this. First he says:
16 “This is the covenant I will make with them
after that time, says the Lord.
I will put my laws in their hearts,
and I will write them on their minds.”
17Then he adds:
“Their sins and lawless acts
I will remember no more.”
18And where these have been forgiven, there is no longer any sacrifice for sin.
19Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by
the blood of Jesus, 20by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain,
that is, his body, 21and since we have a great priest over the house of God,
22let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith,
having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having
our bodies washed with pure water. 23Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we
profess, for he who promised is faithful. 24And let us consider how we may spur
one another on toward love and good deeds. 25Let us not give up meeting
together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one
another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
VERSES 11-18
Under the new covenant, or gospel dispensation, full and final pardon is to be
had. This makes a vast difference between the new covenant and the old one.
Under the old, sacrifices must be often repeated, and after all, only pardon as
to this world was to be obtained by them. Under the new, one Sacrifice is enough
to procure for all nations and ages, spiritual pardon, or being freed from
punishment in the world to come. Well might this be called a new covenant. Let
none suppose that human inventions can avail those who put them in the place of
the sacrifice of the Son of God. What then remains, but that we seek an interest
in this Sacrifice by faith; and the seal of it to our souls, by the
sanctification of the Spirit unto obedience? So that by the law being written in
our hearts, we may know that we are justified, and that God will no more
remember our sins.
VERSES 19-25
The apostle having closed the first part of the epistle, the doctrine is applied
to practical purposes. As believers had an open way to the presence of God, it
became them to use this privilege. The way and means by which Christians enjoy
such privileges, is by the blood of Jesus, by the merit of that blood which he
offered up as an atoning sacrifice. The agreement of infinite holiness with
pardoning mercy, was not clearly understood till the human nature of Christ, the
Son of God, was wounded and bruised for our sins. Our way to heaven is by a
crucified Saviour; his death is to us the way of life, and to those who believe
this, he will be precious. They must draw near to God; it would be contempt of
Christ, still to keep at a distance. Their bodies were to be washed with pure
water, alluding to the cleansings directed under the law: thus the use of water
in baptism, was to remind Christians that their conduct should be pure and holy.
While they derived comfort and grace from their reconciled Father to their own
souls, they would adorn the doctrine of God their Saviour in all things.
Believers are to consider how they can be of service to each other, especially
stirring up each other to the more vigorous and abundant exercise of love, and
the practice of good works. The communion of saints is a great help and
privilege, and a means of stedfastness and perseverance. We should observe the
coming of times of trial, and be thereby quickened to greater diligence. There
is a trying day coming on all men, the day of our death.