Chapter 10:
| Darby
| Geneva
| Gill
| Jamieson Faussett Brown
| Johnson
| Matthew Henry
| Matthew Henry Concise
| Wesley
| Index
| Bible Gateway |
Introduction 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Philemon James
Hebrews 10
Concise Complete
The insufficiency of sacrifices for taking away sin,
The necessity and power of the sacrifice of Christ for that purpose. (1-18) An
argument for holy boldness in the believer's access to God through Jesus Christ,
And for steadfastness in faith, and mutual love and duty. (19-25) The danger of
apostacy. (26-31) The sufferings of believers, and encouragement to maintain
their holy profession. (32-39)
Verses 1-10 The
apostle having shown that the tabernacle, and ordinances of the covenant of
Sinai, were only emblems and types of the gospel, concludes that the sacrifices
the high priests offered continually, could not make the worshippers perfect,
with respect to pardon, and the purifying of their consciences. But when "God
manifested in the flesh," became the sacrifice, and his death upon the accursed
tree the ransom, then the Sufferer being of infinite worth, his free-will
sufferings were of infinite value. The atoning sacrifice must be one capable of
consenting, and must of his own will place himself in the sinner's stead: Christ
did so. The fountain of all that Christ has done for his people, is the
sovereign will and grace of God. The righteousness brought in, and the sacrifice
once offered by Christ, are of eternal power, and his salvation shall never be
done away. They are of power to make all the comers thereunto perfect; they
derive from the atoning blood, strength and motives for obedience, and inward
comfort.
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.
Verses 26-31
The exhortations against apostacy and to perseverance, are urged by many strong
reasons. The sin here mentioned is a total and final falling away, when men,
with a full and fixed will and resolution, despise and reject Christ, the only
Saviour; despise and resist the Spirit, the only Sanctifier; and despise and
renounce the gospel, the only way of salvation, and the words of eternal life.
Of this destruction God gives some notorious sinners, while on earth, a fearful
foreboding in their consciences, with despair of being able to endure or to
escape it. But what punishment can be sorer than to die without mercy? We
answer, to die by mercy, by the mercy and grace which they have despised. How
dreadful is the case, when not only the justice of God, but his abused grace and
mercy call for vengeance! All this does not in the least mean that any souls who
sorrow for sin will be shut out from mercy, or that any will be refused the
benefit of Christ's sacrifice, who are willing to accept these blessings. Him
that cometh unto Christ, he will in no wise cast out.
Verses 32-39
Many and various afflictions united against the early Christians, and they had a
great conflict. The Christian spirit is not a selfish spirit; it puts us upon
pitying others, visiting them, helping them, and pleading for them. All things
here are but shadows. The happiness of the saints in heaven will last for ever;
enemies can never take it away as earthly goods. This will make rich amends for
all we may lose and suffer here. The greatest part of the saints' happiness, as
yet, is in promise. It is a trial of the patience of Christians, to be content
to live after their work is done, and to stay for their reward till God's time
to give it is come. He will soon come to them at death, to end all their
sufferings, and to give them a crown of life. The Christian's present conflict
may be sharp, but will be soon over. God never is pleased with the formal
profession and outward duties and services of such as do not persevere; but he
beholds them with great displeasure. And those who have been kept faithful in
great trails for the time past, have reason to hope for the same grace to help
them still to live by faith, till they receive the end of their faith and
patience, even the salvation of their souls. Living by faith, and dying in
faith, our souls are safe for ever.
Chapter 10:
| Darby
| Geneva
| Gill
| Jamieson Faussett Brown
| Johnson
| Matthew Henry
| Matthew Henry Concise
| Wesley
| Index
| Bible Gateway |
Introduction 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Philemon James
Genesis
Exodus
Leviticus
Numbers
Deuteronomy
Joshua
Judges
Ruth
1 Samuel
2 Samuel
1 Kings
2 Kings
1 Chronicles
2 Chronicles
Ezra
Nehemiah
Esther
Job
Psalm
Proverbs
Ecclesiastes
Song of Solomon
Isaiah
Jeremiah
Lamentations
Ezekiel
Daniel
Hosea
Joel
Amos
Obadiah
Jonah
Micah
Nahum
Habakkuk
Zephaniah
Haggai
Zechariah
Malachi
Matthew
Mark
Luke
John
Acts
Romans
1 Corinthians
2 Corinthians
Galatians
Ephesians
Philippians
Colossians
1 Thessalonians
2 Thessalonians
1 Timothy
2 Timothy
Titus
Philemon
Hebrews
James
1 Peter
2 Peter
1 John
2 John
3 John
Jude
Revelation
