Hebrews 10:8

The significance of the quotation is now explained. “He takes the first away, that he may establish the second.” He declares the incompetence of the O.T. sacrifices to satisfy the will of God, in order that he may make room for that sacrifice which is permanently to satisfy God. Ἀνώτερον, “Higher up,” here meaning “in the former part of the quotation,” corresponding to and contrasted with τότε in Hebrews 10:9. λέγων, i.e., Christ, the subject of εἴρηκεν and ἀναιρεῖ. This is necessitated by λέγει in Hebrews 10:3. Yet it is not Christ directly, but the mind of Christ uttered by God in Scripture. εἴρηκεν, perfect, as expressing that which permanently fulfils the will of God. ἀναιρεῖν is used in classic Greek of the destruction or abolition or repeal of laws, governments, customs, etc.