Heb 10 | Abbott | STEP | However a shadow; containing only a shadow or representation of the things.

Hebrews 10

However a shadow; containing only a shadow or representation of the things.—The very image; the substance.

When he cometh; when Christ cometh. The quotation extending from this verse to the seventh, is from Ps. 40:6-8.—Wouldst not; didst not desire.—But a body, &c. The corresponding expression in the original is, "Mine ears hast thou opened." It stands, however, as the writer has quoted it, in the Septuagint, a Greek version of the Old Testament, which was in common use in Paul's day. The circumstance of the writer's having followed in this, and in many other cases, the translation instead of the original, has given rise to much discussion.

Lo, I come; I, the Savior, come.

Expecting till, &c.; looking forward to the time when, &c.

His flesh; his mortal body. In what points of view, the writer considered the body of Christ as typified by the veil which separated the two sanctuaries, is not clear.

Our bodies washed, &c.; referring to the rite of baptism. Were we to insist upon the principle of strict conformity to the letter, in interpreting the allusions to the rite of baptism in the New Testament, even immersion would not suffice. To wash is more than simply to immerse.

Consider one another; be interested in one another.—To provoke; to animate and encourage.

No more sacrifice; Christ having offered himself once for all (9:26-28.)

Num. 15:30, 31.

Deut. 32:35, 36.

Illuminated; converted,—brought into the light of Christ's kingdom.

In my bonds. This expression, and the passage with which it stands in connection, (32-34,) shows that this Epistle was addressed to a church, or to a class of Christians, which had, at a former period, experienced persecution; and it seems to imply that Paul was imprisoned among them. Both these were true of the churches in Judea. They were persecuted in the time of Stephen, and Paul was imprisoned both at Jerusalem and at Cæsarea, before he went to Rome.

Confidence; firm and steady faith.

By faith; such as he had enjoined, v. 35. The passage appears to be quoted from Hab. 2:4.