Hebrews 10

1:1 formerly (g-11) Or 'of old.'10:5 says, (a-7) Ps. 40.6-8. 10:7 roll (b-9) Or perhaps 'chapter,' to which a heading or summary was attached. Some take it as the summary or contents of the chapter or volume, written on the 'head' of the roll. 10:8 (which (c-19) 'Which are of that kind that are.' Hostis, as Matt. 7.24. 10:12 down (d-10) Or 'set himself down,' as ch. 1.3, perpetuity (e-12) See Note b, ch. 5.6. Having perfectly completed the work, he could sit down, and abide so, having done all; it is in contrast with the priests. They stood daily; he is set down 'for a continuance.' Connecting 'in perpetuity' with sacrifice spoils the whole force of the passage. 10:13 feet. (f-14) See Ps. 110.1. 10:14 perpetuity (e-9) See Note b, ch. 5.6. Having perfectly completed the work, he could sit down, and abide so, having done all; it is in contrast with the priests. They stood daily; he is set down 'for a continuance.' Connecting 'in perpetuity' with sacrifice spoils the whole force of the passage. sanctified. (g-11) Not 'being,' nor 'having been,' 'sanctified', but the objects of this operation, those about whom God was doing this. As to date, 'we have been sanctified,' ver. 10. 10:15 said. (h-15) See Jer. 31.33,34. 10:16 understandings; (i-30) Or 'minds.' see ch. 8.10. The words 'it is said' could be added before 'and their sins, &c.', to give the sense. 10:18 sacrifice (k-13) Lit. 'offering,' as ver. 10,14. 10:20 new (l-2) 'Newly' or 'recently made.' 10:22 washed (m-23) It means 'washed all over,' or 'bathed,' as in John 13.10. 10:26 knowledge (a-9) Clear personal knowledge (epignosis), Matt. 11.27. 10:29 common, (b-34) Or 'unclean,' having no holy character. 10:30 said, (c-6) See Deut. 32.35-36. 10:38 just (d-3) Or possibly this may read 'my just [man].' i.e. God's just one, the one he owns as such. There is good authority for it. The sense runs well and is the same. he (e-10) Or 'any one.' The apostle is contrasting two characters; the one who perishes, and the one who saves, preserves, his life (spiritually, of course). The professing Hebrews were in danger of drawing back. It is certain that in what the apostle quotes (Hab. 2.3,4) there is no reference in the word 'he' to the just who lives by faith. The Hebrew and the LXX prove this. All through this Epistle the Hebrews who acknowledged Jesus as Messiah are treated as a people; that is, the whole people accepted on condition of believing. So Peter. 'but are now the people of God.' And here. 'Jesus, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood.' In this Epistle there is nothing of the sanctification of the Spirit; but the writer urges as a practical truth 'the just shall live by faith.' and then he says, 'and, if he draw back;' that is, any one holding this position of a professed believer; but if he was living by faith in him, he was not drawing back. In a word, drawing back is one character, living by faith another.