Hebrews 10:7 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come to do your will, O God, as it is written of me in the scroll of the book.’”

NIV: Then I said, 'Here I am--it is written about me in the scroll-- I have come to do your will, my God.''

NASB: THEN I SAID, ‘BEHOLD, I HAVE COME (IT IS WRITTEN OF ME IN THE SCROLL OF THE BOOK) TO DO YOUR WILL, O God.’?'

CSB: Then I said, "See --it is written about mein the scroll --I have come to do your will, God."

NLT: Then I said, ‘Look, I have come to do your will, O God — as is written about me in the Scriptures.’'

KJV: Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God.

NKJV: Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come— In the volume of the book it is written of Me— To do Your will, O God.’ ”

This concludes a quotation from Psalm 40:6–8. The writer of Hebrews actually quotes the Septuagint, which is a Greek translation of the original Hebrew Scriptures. This creates a slightly different phrasing in English, here in this verse, than is found in the Old Testament.

This quotation is given to support the writer's most recent point. Namely, that the animal sacrifices offered under the old covenant could never solve the problem of our sin. The very fact that they had to be repeated over and over proves that they only temporarily covered sin, they could not permanently cleanse it (Hebrews 9:8–10). This, according to the writer, is part of God's intention; we were meant to look for a single, once-for-all sacrifice, and this is what Christ provided (Hosea 6:6).

As in earlier passages, the writer of Hebrews provides Old Testament quotations to prove his point. This emphasizes the claim that these are not new ideas—this is exactly what God has always promised. Rather than depending on the use of offerings and sacrifices, Psalm 40 suggests the need for a body, created by God, to complete His will. This is used, here in Hebrews, as a prophecy about the bodily ministry of Jesus Christ.

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.