Hebrews 10:19-20

Hebrews 10:19.— The argumentative part of this epistle being now finished, and the great point fully proved,—that the legal sacrifices could never make atonement for sins, though ever so often repeated, and particularly those grand sacrifices which were offered yearly by the high-priest on the great day of expiation; but that Christ had fully and effectually donethis, by his once offering up himself:—the apostle here proceeds to the practical application, which is inferred from the foregoing discourse. The great point here urged is that which manifestly runs through the whole epistle, namely, that upon this account Christians should be steadfast in their profession, and their dependance on Christ, without expecting to obtain by the legal sacrifices that advantage which could only be had by Christ. In treating of this, the apostle takes occasion to set forth in the most awful terms the danger of apostacy; which was a caution very needful for the Jewish converts, who, above all others, were very prone to it. However, suitable to the tenderness wherewith he treatsthem on a like occasion, (ch. Hebrews 6:9.) he softens the severe things that he utters, by mixing some commendations of them, in order that he might give them the less offence. There is another thing which he seems to have had in his eye, and which may be perceived by those who read the remainder of this chapter with a close attention, (though easily missed by careless and hasty readers, as being only obscurely hinted by the apostle, that he might not disgust the Hebrews:) and that is, that since the forgiveness of sins was to be obtained, not by the legal sacrifices, but by the sacrifice of Christ; the Gentiles, who had nothing to do with the former, were now uponthe same terms with the Jews, and so the same privileges and advantages equally belonged to both; and therefore they should both cordially unite in using them: and though the caution was most necessary for the Hebrews, who were apter to quarrel with the Gentiles than the Gentiles with them, yet, that he might not take off from the edge of his caution where it was most needful, he speaks of their exciting one another mutually to their duty, and particularly the duty of love to each other, together with the good fruit which would be produced thereby.

Having therefore, brethren, &c.— "Since therefore, brethren, we who cordially believe in Christ, have such solid grounds of free liberty, and so rich encouragement, as may be gathered from the preceding discourse, for holy freedom and confidence in our approaches to God, as our reconciled God and Father, and so of entering by faith into the holiest of all, even heaven itself; and who will be admitted into it, if faithful, through the infinite merit of the precious blood of Jesus, our great High-priest and Sacrifice, &c. let us draw near, &c." Dr. Owen observes, that the blood of other sacrifices was to be used immediately upon its effusion; for if it were cold and congealed, it was of no use to be offered or sprinkled; but the blood of Christ is as it were always warm, having the same Spirit of life and sanctification moving in it; so that the way of approach by it is said to be ζωσα και προσφατος, living, yet (putting it for Christ, who is the way,) always as it were newlyslain. As the high-priest could not enter into the holy of holies without blood, we, to whom the true holy of holies is now opened, must enter by the blood of Christ.