What does Hebrews 10:14 mean?

Explanation

Hebrews 10:14 focuses on the sufficiency and the completeness of Christ’s sacrifice for the sins of humanity.

The verse emphasizes that through one single offering, being Jesus' sacrifice on the cross, He has made perfect those who are being sanctified.

The use of “perfected for ever” implies an ongoing state of perfection for the believer, a state achieved not by their own deeds but by the sacrifice of Jesus.

This perfection, however, is not in the sense of flawless character, but in the legal standing before God, where their sins are forgiven and they are seen as righteous.

Historical Context

Written to an audience familiar with the customs and laws of the Old Testament, Hebrews addresses early Jewish Christians who understood the law and the system of sacrifices that were an integral part of atonement in the Jewish faith.

Hebrews 10:14 is situated within a discussion contrasting the repetitive sacrifices of the old covenant, which could not fully remove sin, with the singular, supremely effective sacrifice of Jesus.

This verse serves as a culmination of the argument that Jesus' sacrifice is both sufficient and final.

Theological Insights

Different theological perspectives approach this verse with varying emphasis:

• Traditional Protestant Theology holds that this verse encapsulates the doctrine of justification by faith alone.

It highlights the belief that Jesus' atoning death is the sole means of redemption and sanctification.

• Catholic Theology might emphasize the ongoing process of sanctification in the life of the believer, seeing it as a journey towards holiness that is made possible by Jesus' sacrifice but also alongside the sacraments and church traditions.
• Reformed Theology underscores the once-for-all efficacy of Jesus’ sacrifice and often discusses the concept of "imputed righteousness," the idea that Christ's righteousness is attributed to believers through faith.
• Liberal Theology could focus on the moral influence or example theory, viewing Christ's sacrifice as a demonstration of God's love meant to inspire transformation in the believer’s life.

Practical Applications

Hebrews 10:14 can be applied in daily life to encourage believers to live in the freedom of Christ's completed work.

Knowing that they are perfected through His sacrifice, they can move beyond a life of guilt and legalistic practices, focusing instead on growth in grace and service to others.

It also provides comfort and assurance, knowing that salvation is not based on personal merit but is a gift because of Jesus’ comprehensive work on the cross.

Cross-References

• Ephesians 2:8-9: "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast."
• Romans 6:10: "For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God."
• Hebrews 7:27: "Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people's: for this he did once, when he offered up himself."
• Hebrews 9:12: "Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us."
• John 19:30: "When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost."

Language Study

The key words in the original Greek text that provide depth to this verse are:

• "perfected" (teleioō): This term suggests completion or fulfillment.

In this context, it implies bringing to the end the process owed to sin.

• "for ever" (diēnekes): Literally, this means "continuous." It underscores the eternal aspects of the sacrifice of Jesus.
• "sanctified" (hagiazō): This term means to set apart or consecrate.

In the epistle, it refers to believers being set apart by God through the work of Jesus.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

The sacrifice of Jesus, as presented in Hebrews, stands in contrast to the sacrificial systems of other ancient religions which often involved repetitive offerings.

Unlike the annual atonement rituals like the Yom Kippur in Judaism, Christianity proposes a once-and-for-all sacrifice.

This sacrificial concept deviates from the Greco-Roman mythological traditions where gods often required ongoing tributes and did not offer eternal absolution from sin.

Scientific Perspectives

While the verse does not directly intersect with scientific understandings, it can be viewed through the lens of psychology and sociology in understanding human behavior in religious contexts.

Scientific analysis may study the psychological assurance and stability derived from belief in a final and all-sufficient sacrifice, comparing this to the anxiety produced by repetitive sacrificial systems.

Commentaries

Commentary on Hebrews 10:14 explores the full scope of Christ's work and its implications. For instance:

• John Calvin comments on the finality and sufficiency of Christ's sacrifice as compared to the Old Testament sacrifices, which were never sufficient to cleanse from sin.
• Matthew Henry's commentary reflects on the believer's holiness and perfection in God's sight because of Christ's sacrifice.
• The Pillar New Testament Commentary notes the contrast of the ‘once-for-all’ sacrifice of Christ with the repeated sacrifices under the old covenant, emphasizing the rest and assurance available to the believer.
• The Expositor's Greek Testament discusses the gulf between Christianity's unique offering and the insufficiency of the Levitical priesthood, highlighting the superiority of Christ's priesthood.