Hebrews 10:22 - Printer Friendly

ESV: let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.

NIV: let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.

NASB: let’s approach God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.

CSB: let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed in pure water.

NLT: let us go right into the presence of God with sincere hearts fully trusting him. For our guilty consciences have been sprinkled with Christ’s blood to make us clean, and our bodies have been washed with pure water.

KJV: 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.

NKJV: 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.

This passage is a point of encouragement, following a long explanation. The writer of Hebrews has completed his description of how the new covenant is superior to the old covenant. This was supported using many Old Testament Scriptures, as well as other convincing arguments. Given all of this support, Christians have every reason to be confident and courageous in living out their faith.

At the same time, this knowledge of Christ should inspire us to take full advantage of the benefits offered for those who are saved. Earlier, it was pointed out that old covenant animal sacrifice could not change a person from the inside. That blood was ceremonial, but it did not truly clean the conscience. Animal sacrifice only reminded us that our sin remained (Hebrews 10:1–4). Under the new covenant, Christians can truly experience a release of guilt. And, in order to live the life to which we are called, we should set aside feelings of guilt, since all of our sins are truly forgiven.

The old covenant placed great emphasis on ceremonial cleanliness. Priests and other worshippers had to follow certain washing rituals in order to communicate with God (Exodus 30:18–21). Here, the writer of Hebrews implies that even though we are forgiven, we ought to make our own effort to be "washed" when we "draw near" to God. This is similar to the idea expressed in verses such as 1 John 1:9 and 1 Thessalonians 4:7–8: that we ought to separate ourselves from sinful behaviors and attitudes as part of our fellowship with God (1 John 1:5–10).

Hebrews 10:19–25 is an encouraging bridge between two major sections of the book of Hebrews. Earlier verses completed a long, detailed explanation of why the new covenant is superior to the old covenant. This section is meant to inspire Christians to be confident, courageous, and uplifted in living out their faith. The following passage is perhaps the sternest warning given in this letter about the danger of ''falling away'' from the faith.

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.