What does Hebrews 10:9 mean?

Explanation

Hebrews 10:9 is a poignant verse at the heart of Christian theology that emphasizes the work of Jesus Christ in fulfilling God's plan for salvation.

When the author states "Lo, I come to do thy will, O God," he is quoting from Psalm 40:7-8, which is understood as Christ expressing his readiness to carry out God's will.

The subsequent phrase, "He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second," refers to the transition from the old covenant, under Mosaic law, to the new covenant, which is established through Christ's sacrifice.

This suggests that Christ's incarnation and sacrificial death on the cross were preordained and necessary for the establishment of the new covenant, hence superseding the old covenant that was centered on animal sacrifices and the laws given to Moses.

Historical Context

The Book of Hebrews was written to a group of Jewish Christians who were familiar with the Old Testament and its rituals.

The author of Hebrews is making the case that Jesus is the superior high priest and that his sacrifice supersedes all previous sacrifices made under the old covenant.

This was a significant shift in understanding for early Christians, particularly those from a Jewish background, as it reinterpreted longstanding traditions and the Mosaic law which had been central to Jewish religious practice for centuries.

Theological Insights

The interpretation of Hebrews 10:9 has been diverse among theological circles.

• Substitutionary Atonement View: Many evangelical Christians see this verse as an affirmation of the substitutionary atonement theory, where Jesus Christ takes the place of sinners and His sacrifice reconciles humanity with God.
• Covenant Theology View: Reformed theologians would highlight that the verse underlines the transition from the old to the new covenant, speaking to how the New Testament fulfills and completes the Old Testament.
• Catholic Perspective: The Catholic Church views this passage as reinforcing the teachings that the sacrifice of Christ on the cross was offered once and for all, signifying the end of the repetitive sacrifices from the old law.
• Liturgical Perspective: Some liturgical traditions may use this verse to illustrate why certain Christian practices have moved away from the rites of the Old Testament to focus on the grace offered through Jesus Christ.

Practical Applications

Practically, this verse has profound implications for the daily lives of Christians.

It encourages believers to view obedience to God as a central component of faith, just as Jesus embodied perfect obedience to the Father's will.

It also brings comfort, knowing that through Christ's sacrifice, the necessity of continuous atonement for sin has been rendered obsolete.

This allows Christians to live in the freedom of the new covenant, emphasizing spiritual transformation over ritualistic practice, and social justice over legalistic morality.

Cross-References

Related verses that offer further insight into the themes found in Hebrews 10:9 include:

• Psalm 40:7-8 (KJV): "Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of me, I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart."
• Hebrews 8:13 (KJV): "In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old.

Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away."

• Hebrews 9:26 (KJV): "For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself."
• Jeremiah 31:31-32 (KJV): "Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah: Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the LORD:"

Language Study

The phrase "Lo, I come" in the original Greek is "ἰδοὺ ἥκω" (idou heko), with "ἰδοὺ" meaning "behold" or "see," calling attention to the significance of what follows, and "ἥκω" as "I have come" or "I am here." "To do thy will" is expressed as "τοῦ ποιῆσαι τὸ θέλημά σου," where "ποιῆσαι" (poiesai) means "to do" or "to perform," and "θέλημά" (thelēma) refers to "will" or "desire."

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In comparing this verse with other religious texts and myths, one could look at the narrative structure of a willing sacrifice or an individual's submission to the divine will.

For example, in Ancient Greek mythology, figures like Prometheus willingly endured suffering for the benefit of humanity, and in the Bhagavad Gita, Krishna speaks to Arjuna about the importance of acting according to divine will (dharma) rather than personal desire.

Though differing in context and theology, these parallel the Christian notion of Jesus' purposeful action in accordance with God's plan.

Scientific Perspectives

Hebrews 10:9 does not engage directly with scientific discourse, as its focus is on theological and spiritual understandings of religious practices.

The verse's implications are more oriented towards faith, ethics, and metaphysics than empirical observation.

However, some may find intersections between this verse and psychology, in the sense that one's identity and purpose can be found through alignment with values perceived as larger than oneself, which can have positive mental health benefits.

Commentaries

Biblical scholars and theologians have offered various commentaries on Hebrews 10:9:

• Albert Barnes notes that the coming of Christ into the world implied that he regarded the sacrifices and offerings under the old law as insufficient, and that his purpose was to do the will of God by making a more perfect sacrifice.
• John Calvin discusses this verse as showing that the sacrifices of the law were abolished by the sacrifice of Christ, and that God's will was to establish the latter as the means of salvation.
• Matthew Henry interprets this as Christ's readiness and delight to do God's will, contrasting it with the ceremonial law, and indicating that Christ's obedience is the model for Christian behavior.
• **F.

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Bruce** emphasizes the theme of fulfillment and transition from the old covenant to the new, highlighting that the sacrifices of the old covenant were symbols pointing to the ultimate sacrifice of Christ.