1 For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not itself the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect.
2 For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshipers once purged would have no more conscience of sins.
3 But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins year by year.
4 For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins.
5 Wherefore when He comes into the world, He said, "Sacrifice and offering you would not, but a body have you prepared for Me: (See Ps. 40:6,7)
6 In whole burnt offerings and sacrifices concerning sin You did not take pleasure. (God didn't enjoy that.)
7 Then said I, Behold, I am come (in the volume of the book (Gr. kephalis. Used in the Sept. of a roll. Ps. 40:7. Ezra 6:2,&c. From the head of a wooden roller on which the scroll was rolled) it is written concerning Me,) to do Your will, O God." (It was God's plan. Quoted from Ps. 40.)
8 Above when He said, "Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin you would not, neither have pleasure therein;" which are offered by the law;
9 Then said He, "Behold, I come to do Your will, O God." He takes away the first, in order that He may establish the second.
10 In the which will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. (See 7:27)
11 And every priest stands daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins:
12 But this Priest, having offered one sacrifice for sins continually, sat down on the right hand of God;
13 From henceforth expecting till His enemies be made footstool for His feet. (With help of His elect. The 7th reference to Ps. 110:1 in the N.T. See 1:13.)
14 For by one offering He has perfected continually them that are sanctified.
15 Whereof the Holy Spirit also bears witness to us: for after having said before,
16 "This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, says the Lord, Giving My laws upon their hearts, and upon their minds will I write them; (See 8:10. Through His Word if you study it.)
17 And their sins and iniquities will I remember by no means any more." (Don't bring them up anymore.)
18 Now where remission of these is, there is no longer offering for sin. (The argument of the Priesthood of Christ, begun in 5:1, here triumphantly concluded. It is already done.)
D C E 10:19-23. Exhortation to draw near in view of Christ being accessible and faithful.
F 10:24,25. Duty to accept exhortation.
G 10:26-31. Warning in view of God's being the living God.
D H 10:32-37. Patience in view of the promise.
I 10:38,39. Living by faith.
D I 11:1-40. Examples of faith.
H 12:1 Patience in view of the examples.
C E 12:2-4. Exhortation to look away from examples to the Supreme example.
F 12:5-24. Duty to endure chastening.
G 12:25-29. Warning in the view of God's being a consuming fire.
19 Having therefore, brethren, boldness for the entering into the Holy of holies by the blood of Jesus, (He gave it all for you. There was a time when only the high priest could enter into the holiest of holies, and then only with the blood of animals to cover his sins and the sins of the people. After the crucifixion, Jesus rent the veil from top to bottom. Now that Jesus paid the price with His blood, you can enter in to the very presence of God.)
20 By a newly slain and yet living way, which He consecrated for us, through the veil (see 6:19), that is to say, His flesh; (See Eph. 4:20-32. No longer do you need a man, such as the high priest, to approach God. As a child of the Living God, you can enter into even the holiest place. Ask Him for edification. Ask Him for the courage and strength to stand up for what is right, when the going gets a little tough. Be very bold for the Lord. Father is counting on you to do the right thing, when antichrist appears.)
21 And having a Great Priest over the house of God; (See 3:6.)
22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith (see 6:11), sprinkled as to the hearts from an evil conscience, and bathed as to the body with pure water. (Be honest with God. Let Him know you love Him, and He will actually tug at your heart. He will nudge you in the right direction in your daily life.)
23 Let us hold fast the confession of hope unwavering; (for He is faithful that promised;) (God promised He would forgive our sins upon repentance, and He is faithful to that promise. Once you are forgiven, the sin is blotted out. It never happened.)
24 And let us consider one another for provoking of love and to good works:
25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as you see the day drawing near. (Build your brothers and sister in Christ up. Edify them. This is especially important as we see the Lord's day approaching. The Lord's day is the millennium.)
26 For we sinning willfully after having received the knowledge of the truth, there remains no longer sacrifice for sins, (This refers to God's elect, when they are delivered up. If they refuse the Holy Spirit to speak through them, it is unforgivable. There is no sacrifice to cover that sin.)
27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment (see 8:17) and jealousy (or fervor of fire. A Hebraism. See Ps. 79:5. Ezek. 36:5; 38:19. Zeph. 1:18; 3:8. Cp. Deut. 29:30), about to devour the adversaries.
28 Any one despising set at naught Moses' law dies without mercy upon two or three witnesses: (Ref. Deut. 17:2-6.)
29 Of how much worse punishment, suppose you, shall he be thought worthy, who has trampled under foot the Son of God, and has counted the blood of the covenant, with which He was sanctified, an unclean thing, and has insulted the Spirit of grace? (God's adversaries are going to pay. They insult the Holy Spirit by refusing to be drawn to God.)
30 For we know Him that said, "Vengeance belongs to Me, I will recompense, says the Lord." And again, "The Lord shall judge His people." (These quotation from Deut. 32:35,36. Cp. Rom. 12:19.)
31 It is a fearful thing (reverence. Fear only if you are against Him) to fall into the hands of the living God. (See 3:12. Do you want to make God angry with you? Why? He is the only One that can kill both you flesh body and you soul [Matt. 10:28].)
32 But keep ever in mind the former days, in which, after you were illuminated (Gr. photizo = give off rays, to shine, to bring on light, action. See v.25), you endured a great fight of afflictions;
33 Partly indeed, being made a gazing-stock both by reproaches and afflictions; and partly, whilst you became companions of them that were thus living. (Satan doesn't like God's children to be illuminated. He will make things tough on you, if you don't exercise the power Christ gave you over him [Luke 10:19].)
34 For you sympathized with me in my bonds, and took with joy the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that you have in heaven a better and an enduring substance.
35 Cast not away therefore your confidence, which has great recompense of reward. (See 2:2 You can't imagine the rewards God has in store for those who serve Him. He knows our needs, and He will add unto what we need abundantly.)
36 For you have need of patience, that, having done the will of God, you may receive the promise. (See 4:1.)
37 For yet a very, very little while, and the coming One will come, and will not tarry. (Cp. Dan. 7:13,14. Matt. 11:3. Luke 7:19. The fig tree generation is getting a little time on it. This generation shall not pass [Matt. 24:34].)
38 Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, My soul shall have no pleasure in him. (The 3rd time quoting Hab. 2:4. See Rom. 1:17. The just are those who are already justified, that is to say the elect. Draw back in the original language means to conceal. If you hide the truth inside you and don't share it with others, God doesn't like it one little bit. If you see the antichrist standing were he ought not and aren't ready to allow the Holy Spirit to speak through you, the risk to the elect is even greater. Don't draw back! We must teach, plant seeds and witness.)
39 But we are not of the drawing back to perdition (see John 17:12); but of faith to the saving of the soul. (Perdition means destruction and death. This could be your death. It is the unforgivable sin, if you being one of the elect draw back at the wrong time. That is very serious. God takes no pleasure in those who draw back from the tug of His Spirit. You aren't the type to draw back, when God nudges you. You are drawn by God.)