Hebrews 10:9 - Printer Friendly

ESV: then he added, “Behold, I have come to do your will.” He does away with the first in order to establish the second.

NIV: Then he said, 'Here I am, I have come to do your will.' He sets aside the first to establish the second.

NASB: then He said, 'BEHOLD, I HAVE COME TO DO YOUR WILL.' He takes away the first in order to establish the second.

CSB: he then says, See, I have come to do your will. He takes away the first to establish the second.

NLT: Then he said, 'Look, I have come to do your will.' He cancels the first covenant in order to put the second into effect.

KJV: Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second.

NKJV: then He said, “Behold, I have come to do Your will, O God.” He takes away the first that He may establish the second.

This verse is meant to draw a direct contrast between two things. In this case, they are the ideas mentioned in Psalm 40:6–8. That passage was quoted in Hebrews 10:5–7. The Psalmist referred to God's formation of the human body, specifically the ears, while pointing out that God was not ultimately interested in sacrifice. Instead, God's desire was for His will to be done, indicating that the use of that body was the real fulfillment of God's will.

The point, so says the writer of Hebrews, is that God specifically intends to "set aside" sacrifice, instead highlighting the earthly performance of His will. That meshes with the other Old Testament quotations which have been given to prove that God has always intended for a new covenant to come. The old covenant's sacrifices, then, were only meant to be symbolic of the "real" resolution for our sin, which came through the incarnation and death 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.

Accessed 4/29/2024 8:18:44 AM