Page 74 - Hebrews- Student Textbook

humanity took advantage of the procedures and turned them into mechanical ritual and liturgy instead
of heartfelt repentance and faith. God rejects the perfunctory performance of religious ritual and liturgy
that does not reflect the heart and life of faith (cf. Isa. 1).

Funny enough, people today are doing the same with the grace message which is being preached. No
wonder it is not surprising that Christ said, “not all who say Lord Lord shall enter the kingdom of God,
but only those who do the will of the Father.”

"TO DO YOUR WILL, O GOD" God's will was a new covenant with all humanity established by Jesus' death
and resurrection (cf. Mark 10:45; 2 Cor. 5:21; Heb. 10:9). When animals died in sacrificial offerings they
had no choice. Jesus willingly laid down His own life (cf. John 10:17-18).

10:8 Saying above, Sacrifices and offerings and whole burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou
wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein (the which are offered according to the law),

"(which are offered according to the Law)" The author's purpose is to show the superiority of Jesus'
sacrifice over the Levitical sacrifices. Even when OT sacrifices were performed with the appropriate
attitude and procedures, they were only a foreshadowing of the work of Christ.

10:9 then hath he said, Lo, I am come to do thy will. He taketh away the first, that he may establish
the second.

NASB, NKJV "takes away"
NRSV "abolishes"
TEV "does away with"
NJB "abolishes"

This is a strong Greek term for "destroy" (anaireō). The question is how to understand this term in
relation to the OT? As a revelation from God it is eternal (cf. Matt. 5:17-19). Paul often quotes the OT as
an exhortation to believers. However, as a means of salvation or forgiveness of sin it was only a
preliminary stage (cf. Gal. 3). It has been fulfilled and exceeded in the New Testament in Christ. Context
must determine whether this term is to be translated "taken away" (fulfilled) or "abolished"
(destroyed).

10:10
NASB, NKJV "By this will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ
once for all"
NRSV "And it is by God's will that we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of
Jesus Christ once for all"
TEV "Because Jesus Christ did what God wanted him to do, we are all purified from sin by the
offering that he made of his own body once and for all"
NJB "And the will was for us to be made holy by the offering of the body of Jesus Christ made
once for all"

Does "the will" refer to Christ's will (cf. vv. 7,9 and NASB, NJB) or to the Father's will (NRSV, TEV)? Since
Jesus is the one speaking in v. 5 (cf. v. 9), then the context suggests His will.

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