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Hebrews 10

For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect.

For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins.

But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year.

For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins.

Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me:

In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure.

Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God.

Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein; which are offered by the law;

Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second.

By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins:

But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;

From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool.

For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.

Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before,

This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;

And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.

Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin.

Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,

By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;

And having an high priest over the house of God;

Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.

Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)

And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:

Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,

But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.

He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:

Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?

For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people.

It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were illuminated, ye endured a great fight of afflictions;

Partly, whilst ye were made a gazingstock both by reproaches and afflictions; and partly, whilst ye became companions of them that were so used.

For ye had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance.

Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward.

For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.

For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry.

Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.

But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.

What does Hebrews 10:15 mean?

Explanation

Hebrews 10:15 concerns the witness of the Holy Ghost (Holy Spirit) to the new covenant between God and humanity.

The verse suggests that the Holy Spirit confirms the truths expressed earlier in the text.

When the verse refers to something "said before," it likely harks back to the prophecies found in the Old Testament, particularly Jeremiah 31:33-34, which speak of God's promise to write His laws in the hearts and minds of His people.

The deeper meaning here is that the message of salvation and the internal transformation of believers is attested to by the Holy Spirit, who acts as an ongoing witness to God's work in the hearts of those who follow Him.

Top Rated Hebrews Books

Historical Context

The Book of Hebrews was written to Jewish Christians who were familiar with the Old Testament Scriptures and the traditions of Judaism.

The audience likely faced persecution and struggles as they tried to reconcile their new faith in Christ with their historical religious background.

Hebrews was written to demonstrate the superiority of Christ's sacrifice to the old covenant, which involved repeated animal sacrifices and was insufficient for the complete removal of sin.

Theological Insights

Different theological views interpret the witness of the Holy Spirit in various ways.

In Reformed theology, this verse emphasizes the work of the Spirit in the life of the believer as the guarantor of God's promises.

Catholic theology might see this in the context of the ongoing tradition and teaching authority of the Church guided by the Holy Spirit.

Charismatic traditions may focus on the experiential reality of the Holy Spirit's witness through spiritual gifts and manifestations.

Practical Applications

Believers today can take comfort in the Holy Spirit's role as a witness to God's promises.

This reminds Christians that they are not alone and that the Holy Spirit is present, working within them to fulfill God's will.

It can also serve as an encouragement to write God's commandments on one's heart, to allow for the internal transformation that the new covenant promises.

Cross-References

Jeremiah 31:33-34: "But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people."
Ezekiel 36:26-27: "A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you...

And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes."

2 Corinthians 3:3: "Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart."

Language Study

In the original Greek, the term "μάρτυς" (martys) means "witness" and implies one who testifies to a truth. Πνεῦμα Ἅγιον (Pneuma Hagiou) refers to the "Holy Ghost" or "Holy Spirit," signifying God's presence and working within the Christian community and the individual believer.

The significance of these terms points to the authenticity and divine backing of the new covenant.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

The idea of a divine spirit witnessing to spiritual truths is not unique to Christianity.

In some ancient mythologies and religions, gods or spirits similarly communicate divine will or authenticate covenants with humanity.

For example, in Greek mythology, gods would send omens or oracles as witnesses to their intentions.

However, in the context of Hebrews, the Holy Spirit's witness is uniquely tied to the fulfillment of the Hebrew Scriptures and the establishment of a personal relationship with God.

Scientific Perspectives

From a scientific perspective, discussions of the Holy Spirit or any metaphysical beings are outside the realm of empirical investigation.

The experiences associated with feeling the presence of the Holy Spirit, however, could be studied in terms of psychology or neurology, though these fields cannot comment on the supernatural.

Commentaries

Contemporary biblical scholars like N.T.

Wright and William Lane Craig might argue that Hebrews 10:15 underscores the reality of the new covenant and God’s transformative work within individuals.

It may be viewed as reinforcing the trustworthiness of God's promises and the role of the Holy Spirit in believers' lives.

Commentaries by scholars trained in historical-critical methods also note the author's use of Old Testament scriptures pointing to the continuity and fulfillment of God’s covenantal relationship with His people through Christ.

Hebrews 10

Hebrews 10

What does Hebrews 10:15 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Hebrews Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?

What does Hebrews 10:15 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Hebrews Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?