永远的赎罪祭

10 律法只是将来美事的一个投影,并非本体的真像,所以年复一年的献祭不能使前来敬拜的人纯全。 否则,献祭的事早已终止了,因为敬拜的人若献一次祭就能彻底得到洁净,他们就不再觉得有罪了。 然而,每年献祭的事都使人想起自己的罪来, 因为公牛和山羊的血根本不能除去人的罪。

所以,基督来到世上的时候曾说:

“上帝啊,祭物和供物非你所悦,
你为我预备了身体。
你并非喜爱燔祭和赎罪祭。
于是我说,
‘上帝啊,我来是要遵行你的旨意,
我的事都记在圣经上了。’”

基督首先说:“祭物、供物、燔祭和赎罪祭都不是你想要的,也不是你喜悦的。”这些都是依照律法献上的。 然后祂又说:“我来是要遵行你的旨意。”这样,祂废除了前者,为要设立后者。 10 上帝的旨意是:耶稣基督只一次献上自己的身体,便使我们永远圣洁了。

11 祭司都要天天站着供职,一次次地献上同样的祭物,只是这些祭物根本不能除罪。 12 而基督一次献上自己成为永远的赎罪祭后,就坐在上帝的右边, 13 等待祂的仇敌成为祂的脚凳。 14 祂凭自己的一次牺牲,使那些得以圣洁的人永远纯全。

15 圣灵也向我们做见证,说:

16 “主说,那些日子以后,
我将与他们立这样的约,
我要把我的律例放在他们心中,
写在他们脑中。
17 我要忘记他们的过犯和罪恶。”

18 既然过犯和罪恶已经得到赦免,就不需要再为罪献祭了。

坚忍到底

19-20 弟兄姊妹,耶稣已用宝血为我们开辟了一条又新又活的路,使我们可以穿过幔子,就是祂的身体,坦然进入至圣所。 21 并且,我们有一位大祭司管理上帝的家, 22 祂洁净了我们被罪困扰的良心,用清水洗净了我们的身体。因此,我们要信心十足、真诚地到上帝面前。 23 我们要坚定不移地持守我们所认定的盼望,因为赐应许的那位是信实的。 24 我们要想办法彼此相顾,激发爱心,勉励行善。 25 不要停止聚会,像那些停止惯了的人,要互相鼓励,特别是你们知道主再来的日子近了。

26 因为我们知道了真理以后,若仍然故意犯罪,就再没有赎罪祭了, 27 只有可怕的审判和烧灭敌对者的烈火等候我们。 28 人违犯摩西的律法,经两三个人指证后,尚且被毫不留情地处死, 29 更何况人践踏上帝的儿子,轻看那使人圣洁的立约之血,又藐视赐人恩典的圣灵?这等人该受多么重的刑罚啊! 30 我们知道上帝说过:“申冤在我,我必报应。”祂又说:“主要审判祂的百姓。” 31 落在永活上帝的手中是可怕的!

32 你们要回想当初的日子,那时你们蒙了光照以后,忍受了各种苦难的煎熬。 33 有时候,你们在众目睽睽之下被辱骂,受迫害;有时候,你们和遭受这样苦难的人同舟共济。 34 你们体恤那些坐牢的人,即使你们的家业被抢夺,仍然甘心忍受,因为你们知道自己有更美的、永远长存的家业。 35 所以切勿失去勇敢的心,因为勇敢的心会给你们带来大赏赐。 36 你们需要坚忍到底,这样你们遵行了上帝的旨意后,便可以得到祂的应许。

37 因为“将要来临的那位很快要来了,绝不迟延。 38 属我的义人必靠信心而活。他若畏缩退后,我必不喜悦他。” 39 但我们都不是退后走向灭亡的人,而是因为有信心而灵魂得救的人。

Chapter 10

A Unique Sacrifice[a]

The Law Was a Shadow. The Law contains little more than a shadow of the good things to come and not the true image of them. These sacrifices that are offered year after year can never bring the worshipers to perfection. If they could, those sacrifices would no longer be offered, for the worshipers would have been cleansed once for all and would no longer feel guilty for sins.

However, in these sacrifices sins are brought to mind year after year, because sins cannot be taken away by the blood of bulls and goats.

One Sacrifice for Sins. That is why, when Christ came into the world, he said,

“Sacrifice and offering you did not desire,
    but a body you have prepared for me.
You took no delight
    in holocausts and sin offerings.
Then I said, ‘As it is written of me in the scroll,
    behold, I have come to do your will, O God.’ ”

First he says, “Sacrifices and offerings, holocausts and sin offerings, you neither desired nor delighted in,” even though they are offered according to the Law. Then he adds, “Behold, I have come to do your will.” He thus abolishes the first to establish the second. 10 And it was by this “will” that we have been consecrated through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

11 [b]Day after day every priest stands to perform his ministry, offering over and over again the same sacrifices that can never remove sins. 12 But Jesus offered one sacrifice for sins for all time, and then took his seat at the right hand of God, 13 where he now waits until his enemies are made his footstool. 14 Therefore, by a single offering he has made perfect forever those who are being sanctified.

15 The Holy Spirit also testifies to us about this. For he first says,

16 “This is the covenant that I will make with them
    after those days, says the Lord.
I will place my laws in their hearts
    and inscribe them on their minds.”

17 Then he also asserts,

“Their sins and their lawless acts
    I will remember no more.”

18 When these have been forgiven, there are no longer any offerings for sins.

Perseverance in Faith[c]

The Need To Stand Firm

19 Let Us Approach with Sincerity of Heart.[d] Therefore, brethren, the blood of Jesus has given us confidence to enter the sanctuary 20 by the new and living way that he has opened for us through the veil, that is, through his flesh. 21 Since we have a great priest over the household of God, 22 let us approach with sincerity of heart and the full assurance of faith, with hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and bodies washed in pure water.

23 Let us remain firm in the confession of our hope without wavering, for the one who made the promise is trustworthy. 24 And let us consider how to spur one another to love and good works. 25 Do not neglect to attend your assemblies, as some do, but rather encourage one another, especially since you can see the Day[e] approaching.

26 Apostasy Remains Unforgiven.[f] If we deliberately persist in sin after having received the knowledge of the truth, then there no longer remains any sacrifice for sins. 27 There is only a terrifying expectation of judgment and of a fierce fire that will consume the adversaries.

28 Anyone who violates the Law of Moses is put to death without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. 29 How much more punishment do you think is deserved by the one who has contempt for the Son of God, profanes the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and insults the Spirit of grace? 30 For we know the one who said,

“Vengeance is mine; I will repay,”

and

“The Lord will judge his people.”

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

32 Do Not Abandon Your Assurance.[g] Remember the days gone by when, after you had been enlightened,[h] you endured a difficult struggle filled with suffering. 33 Sometimes you were publicly exposed to abuse and persecution, and sometimes you were companions of those who were treated in the same way. 34 You not only had compassion upon those who were in prison but also cheerfully accepted the confiscation of your property, because you realized that you possessed something better and more lasting.

35 Therefore, do not lose your confidence now, since your reward will be so great. 36 You need to be steadfast if you want to do the will of God and receive what he has promised.

37 “For, after a little while,
    he who is to come will do so,
    and he will not delay.
38 My righteous one shall live by faith,
    but if he shrinks back,
    I will not be pleased with him.”

39 But we are not among those who draw back and are lost. Rather, we are among those who have faith and are saved.

Footnotes

  1. Hebrews 10:1 The great, endless act of self-giving that extends through the entire existence of Christ is the authentic priestly act, the authentic sacrifice of Christ. He takes away sin and restores the bond with God in his own person, in his own living experience. He founds the New Covenant, the new people who have access to God.
  2. Hebrews 10:11 Every priest stands to perform his ministry . . . Jesus . . . took his seat: members of the Levitical priesthood always “stood” because their work was never finished; Jesus “took his seat” because his work was completed.
  3. Hebrews 10:19 A definitive event has been realized for the world: the Death and Resurrection of Christ. The Letter to the Hebrews makes us aware of this by presenting it as the act of the authentic priesthood, the authentic sacrifice, while at the same time downgrading the status of the preceding religious regime, although that too had been established by God. So, too, faith in Christ is a decisive step forward in the life of a human being. The believer is henceforth engaged in a march toward the full encounter with the Lord. In the midst of temptations, fears, and risks, the Christian life is not a simple fidelity to a past but a thrust forward toward the future, toward God. These chapters are a pressing invitation not to let such perspectives be obscured.
  4. Hebrews 10:19 The path that leads to God is a person, Christ recognized under the characteristics of a high priest. Once baptized, Christians are associated with the Son of God. They must strengthen their conviction and the links of mutual love. May the signs of crises be a call for them to prepare for the return of the Lord.
  5. Hebrews 10:25 The Day: this refers to the Day of the Lord at the end of time.
  6. Hebrews 10:26 Once again the author repeats this somber warning (see Heb 6:1-8; Mt 12:31). Those who rebel against Christ exclude themselves from Christ’s forgiveness, from his life, and from his grace. Let them, therefore, meditate on the threats of God’s vengeance about which the Bible speaks, and especially the texts cited here (see Ex 24:8; Deut 17:6; 32:35f; Isa 26:11).
  7. Hebrews 10:32 As soon as they were baptized and enlightened, believers sacrificed everything for Christ and confronted all difficulties. Now is not the time for them to be discouraged. The Lord will come and he is the recompense for all who do not weaken. Faith is the courageous commitment to Christ.
  8. Hebrews 10:32 Been enlightened: an ancient phrase for “been baptized”; “enlightenment” or “illumination” was an ancient term for Baptism (see Heb 6:4; Eph 5:14).

Animal Sacrifices Insufficient

10 For the law, having a (A)shadow of the good things to come, and not the very image of the things, (B)can never with these same sacrifices, which they offer continually year by year, make those who approach perfect. For then would they not have ceased to be offered? For the worshipers, once [a]purified, would have had no more consciousness of sins. But in those sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year. For (C)it is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats could take away sins.

Christ’s Death Fulfills God’s Will(D)

Therefore, when He came into the world, He said:

(E)“Sacrifice and offering You did not desire,
But a body You have prepared for Me.
In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin
You had no pleasure.
Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come—
In the volume of the book it is written of Me—
To do Your will, O God.’ ”

Previously saying, “Sacrifice and offering, burnt offerings, and offerings for sin You did not desire, nor had pleasure in them” (which are offered according to the law), then He said, “Behold, I have come to do Your will, [b]O God.” He takes away the first that He may establish the second. 10 (F)By that will we have been [c]sanctified (G)through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

Christ’s Death Perfects the Sanctified

11 And every priest stands (H)ministering daily and offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. 12 (I)But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down (J)at the right hand of God, 13 from that time waiting (K)till His enemies are made His footstool. 14 For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being [d]sanctified.

15 But the Holy Spirit also witnesses to us; for after He had said before,

16 (L)“This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, says the Lord: I will put My laws into their hearts, and in their minds I will write them,” 17 then He adds, (M)“Their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more.” 18 Now where there is [e]remission of these, there is no longer an offering for sin.

Hold Fast Your Confession

19 Therefore, brethren, having (N)boldness[f] to enter (O)the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and (P)living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, 21 and having a High Priest over the house of God, 22 let us (Q)draw near with a true heart (R)in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for (S)He who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, 25 (T)not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and (U)so much the more as you see (V)the Day approaching.

The Just Live by Faith

26 For (W)if we sin willfully (X)after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there (Y)no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, 27 but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and (Z)fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries. 28 Anyone who has rejected Moses’ law dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three (AA)witnesses. 29 (AB)Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, (AC)counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, (AD)and insulted the Spirit of grace? 30 For we know Him who said, (AE)“Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” [g]says the Lord. And again, (AF)“The Lord will judge His people.” 31 (AG)It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

32 But (AH)recall the former days in which, after you were [h]illuminated, you endured a great struggle with sufferings: 33 partly while you were made (AI)a spectacle both by reproaches and tribulations, and partly while (AJ)you became companions of those who were so treated; 34 for you had compassion on [i]me (AK)in my chains, and (AL)joyfully accepted the plundering of your [j]goods, knowing that (AM)you have a better and an enduring possession for yourselves [k]in heaven. 35 Therefore do not cast away your confidence, (AN)which has great reward. 36 (AO)For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, (AP)you may receive the promise:

37 “For (AQ)yet a little while,
And (AR)He[l] who is coming will come and will not [m]tarry.
38 Now (AS)the[n] just shall live by faith;
But if anyone draws back,
My soul has no pleasure in him.”

39 But we are not of those (AT)who draw back to [o]perdition, but of those who (AU)believe to the saving of the soul.

Footnotes

  1. Hebrews 10:2 cleansed
  2. Hebrews 10:9 NU, M omit O God
  3. Hebrews 10:10 set apart
  4. Hebrews 10:14 set apart
  5. Hebrews 10:18 forgiveness
  6. Hebrews 10:19 confidence
  7. Hebrews 10:30 NU omits says the Lord
  8. Hebrews 10:32 enlightened
  9. Hebrews 10:34 NU the prisoners instead of me in my chains
  10. Hebrews 10:34 possessions
  11. Hebrews 10:34 NU omits in heaven
  12. Hebrews 10:37 Or that which
  13. Hebrews 10:37 delay
  14. Hebrews 10:38 NU My just one
  15. Hebrews 10:39 destruction

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.

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

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

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

13 From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool.

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

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

16 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;

17 And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.

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

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

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

21 And having an high priest over the house of God;

22 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.

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

24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto 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 ye see the day approaching.

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

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

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

29 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?

30 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.

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

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

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

34 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.

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

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

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

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

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