Hebrews 10:2 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Otherwise, would they not have ceased to be offered, since the worshipers, having once been cleansed, would no longer have any consciousness of sins?

NIV: Otherwise, would they not have stopped being offered? For the worshipers would have been cleansed once for all, and would no longer have felt guilty for their sins.

NASB: Otherwise, would they not have ceased to be offered, because the worshipers, having once been cleansed, would no longer have had consciousness of sins?

CSB: Otherwise, wouldn’t they have stopped being offered, since the worshipers, purified once and for all, would no longer have any consciousness of sins?

NLT: If they could have provided perfect cleansing, the sacrifices would have stopped, for the worshipers would have been purified once for all time, and their feelings of guilt would have disappeared.

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

NKJV: For then would they not have ceased to be offered? For the worshipers, once purified, would have had no more consciousness of sins.

Here the writer makes a point similar to passages such as Hebrews 7:27 and Hebrews 9:25–26. The sacrifices of the old covenant had to be repeated on a regular basis. This allows the writer to ask a rhetorical question: if those sacrifices could actually cleanse the conscience—meaning a complete removal of sin—then wouldn't priests have stopped offering them? Why continue to offer sacrifice for sin, unless those sacrifices are not enough?

This flows into the following verse, which gives a more direct explanation of what these repeated sacrifices are really meant to do. Earlier, the book of Hebrews explained that components of the old covenant were intended as symbols of the new covenant. They had a meaning, and a purpose, but they were only copies of the "real" work of Jesus Christ. In the next verse, the writer will explain that the old covenant sacrifices served more as a reminder of sins than as a solution for sins. By repeating them year after year, the priests not only proved that animal sacrifices were insufficient, they also demonstrated that human sin remained un-forgiven.

Hebrews 10:1–18 summarizes the writer's argument that the new covenant, in Jesus Christ, is superior to the old covenant, based on animal sacrifices. Using themes developed in earlier passages, this section points out that God's own Word promised to replace the system centered on the priests and the temple. Those flawed earthly components were symbols of the ''real'' remedy for sin, which is the one-time sacrifice of Jesus. Having completed this long, detailed discourse, the writer will move on to practical applications, including a very stern warning.

God's own words, found in the Old Testament Scriptures, declare His intention to replace the old covenant with a new covenant. Jesus fulfills all of these prophecies, and all of the symbolism found in the system of priests, the tabernacle, and animal sacrifices. Knowing that Jesus Christ is, undoubtedly, God's remedy for our sin, we should be encouraged in holding on to our faith in the face of persecution. However, that same confidence means dire spiritual consequences for those who know Christ's salvation, but choose to act in defiance of His will.

Chapter 10 completes the long, detailed explanation of why the new covenant is superior to the old covenant. Starting in chapter 7, the writer gave various arguments and Scriptures to support this idea. The theme of these points is that God had always intended to send Jesus, as the real fulfillment of the old covenant's symbolism. The second half of this chapter transitions into more practical ideas, including an extremely dire warning about the dangers of apostasy.

The book of Hebrews is meant to challenge, encourage, and empower Christian believers. According to this letter, Jesus Christ is superior to all other prophets and all other claims to truth. Since God has given us Christ, we ought to listen to what He says and not move backwards. The consequences of ignoring God are dire. Hebrews is important for drawing on many portions of the Old Testament in making a case that Christ is the ultimate and perfect expression of God's plan for mankind. This book presents some tough ideas about the Christian faith, a fact the author makes specific note of.