1 For the Law hauing a shadow of good things to come, and not the very Image of the things, can neuer with those sacrifices which they offered yeere by yeere continually, make the commers thereunto perfect:
2 For then would they not haue ceased to be offered, because that the worshippers once purged, should haue had no more conscience of sinnes?
3 But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance againe made of sinnes euery yeere.
4 For it is not possible that the blood of Bulles and of Goats, should take away sinnes.
5 Wherefore when hee commeth into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared mee:
6 In burnt offerings, and sacrifices for sinne thou hast had no pleasure:
7 Then said I, Loe, I come. (In the volume of the booke it is written of me) to doe thy will, O God.
8 Aboue when hee said, Sacrifice, and offering, and burnt offerings, and offering for sinne thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein, which are offered by the Law:
9 Then said he, Loe, I come to doe thy will (O God:) He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second.
10 By the which will wee are sanctified, through the offering of the body of Iesus Christ once for all.
11 And euery Priest standeth dayly ministring and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices which can neuer take away sinnes.
12 But this man after he had offered one sacrifice for sinnes for euer, sate downe on the right hand of God,
13 From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstoole.
14 For by one offering hee hath perfected for euer them that are sanctified.
15 Whereof the holy Ghost also is a witnesse to vs: for after that he had said before,
16 This is the Couenant that I wil make with them after those dayes, saith the Lord: I will put my Lawes into their hearts, and in their mindes will I write them:
17 And their sinnes and iniquities will I remember no more.
18 Now, where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sinne.
19 Hauing therefore, brethren, boldnesse to enter into the Holiest by the blood of Iesus,
20 By a new and liuing way which hee hath consecrated for vs, through the vaile, that is to say, His flesh:
21 And hauing an high Priest ouer the house of God:
22 Let vs drawe neere with a true heart in full assurance of faith, hauing our hearts sprinkled from an euill conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.
23 Let vs hold fast the profession of our faith without wauering (for he is faithfull that promised)
24 And let vs consider one another to prouoke vnto loue, and to good workes:
25 Not forsaking the assembling of our selues together, as the manner of some is: but exhorting one another, and so much the more, as ye see the day approching.
26 For if we sinne wilfully after that we haue receiued the knowledge of the trueth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sinnes,
27 But a certaine fearefull looking for of iudgement, and fiery indignation, which shall deuoure the aduersaries.
28 Hee that despised Moses Lawe, died without mercy, vnder two or three witnesses.
29 Of how much sorer punishment suppose ye, shall hee be thought worthy, who hath troden vnder foote þe Sonne of God, and hath counted the blood of the couenant wherwith he was sanctified, an vnholy thing, and hath done despite vnto the spirit of grace?
30 For we know him that hath said, Uengeance belongeth vnto me, I wil recompence, saith the Lord: and again, The Lord shall iudge his people.
31 It is a fearefull thing to fall into the hands of the liuing God.
32 But call to remembrance the former dayes, in which after yee were illuminated, ye indured a great fight of afflictions:
33 Partly whilest ye were made a gazing stocke both by reproches & afflictions, and partly whilest ye became companions of them that were so vsed.
34 For yee had compassion of me in my bonds, and tooke ioyfully the spoyling of your goods, knowing in your selues that yee haue in heauen a better and an induring substance.
35 Cast not away therfore your confidence which hath great recompense of reward.
36 For ye haue need of patience, that shall after ye haue done the will of God ye might receiue the promise.
37 For yet a litle while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tary.
38 Now the iust shall liue by faith: but if any man drawe backe, my soule shall haue no pleasure in him.
39 But wee are not of them who draw backe vnto perdition: but of them that beleeue, to the sauing of the soule.
The insufficiency of sacrifices for taking away sin, The necessity and power of the sacrifice of Christ for that purpose. (1-18) An argument for holy boldness in the believer's access to God through Jesus Christ, And for steadfastness in faith, and mutual love and duty. (19-25) The danger of apostacy. (26-31) The sufferings of believers, and encouragement to maintain their holy profession. (32-39)1-10 The apostle having shown that the tabernacle, and ordinances of the covenant of Sinai, were only emblems and types of the gospel, concludes that the sacrifices the high priests offered continually, could not make the worshippers perfect, with respect to pardon, and the purifying of their consciences. But when "God manifested in the flesh," became the sacrifice, and his death upon the accursed tree the ransom, then the Sufferer being of infinite worth, his free-will sufferings were of infinite value. The atoning sacrifice must be one capable of consenting, and must of his own will place himself in the sinner's stead: Christ did so. The fountain of all that Christ has done for his people, is the sovereign will and grace of God. The righteousness brought in, and the sacrifice once offered by Christ, are of eternal power, and his salvation shall never be done away. They are of power to make all the comers thereunto perfect; they derive from the atoning blood, strength and motives for obedience, and inward comfort.
11-18 Under the new covenant, or gospel dispensation, full and final pardon is to be had. This makes a vast difference between the new covenant and the old one. Under the old, sacrifices must be often repeated, and after all, only pardon as to this world was to be obtained by them. Under the new, one Sacrifice is enough to procure for all nations and ages, spiritual pardon, or being freed from punishment in the world to come. Well might this be called a new covenant. Let none suppose that human inventions can avail those who put them in the place of the sacrifice of the Son of God. What then remains, but that we seek an interest in this Sacrifice by faith; and the seal of it to our souls, by the sanctification of the Spirit unto obedience? So that by the law being written in our hearts, we may know that we are justified, and that God will no more remember our sins.
19-25 The apostle having closed the first part of the epistle, the doctrine is applied to practical purposes. As believers had an open way to the presence of God, it became them to use this privilege. The way and means by which Christians enjoy such privileges, is by the blood of Jesus, by the merit of that blood which he offered up as an atoning sacrifice. The agreement of infinite holiness with pardoning mercy, was not clearly understood till the human nature of Christ, the Son of God, was wounded and bruised for our sins. Our way to heaven is by a crucified Saviour; his death is to us the way of life, and to those who believe this, he will be precious. They must draw near to God; it would be contempt of Christ, still to keep at a distance. Their bodies were to be washed with pure water, alluding to the cleansings directed under the law: thus the use of water in baptism, was to remind Christians that their conduct should be pure and holy. While they derived comfort and grace from their reconciled Father to their own souls, they would adorn the doctrine of God their Saviour in all things. Believers are to consider how they can be of service to each other, especially stirring up each other to the more vigorous and abundant exercise of love, and the practice of good works. The communion of saints is a great help and privilege, and a means of stedfastness and perseverance. We should observe the coming of times of trial, and be thereby quickened to greater diligence. There is a trying day coming on all men, the day of our death.
26-31 The exhortations against apostacy and to perseverance, are urged by many strong reasons. The sin here mentioned is a total and final falling away, when men, with a full and fixed will and resolution, despise and reject Christ, the only Saviour; despise and resist the Spirit, the only Sanctifier; and despise and renounce the gospel, the only way of salvation, and the words of eternal life. Of this destruction God gives some notorious sinners, while on earth, a fearful foreboding in their consciences, with despair of being able to endure or to escape it. But what punishment can be sorer than to die without mercy? We answer, to die by mercy, by the mercy and grace which they have despised. How dreadful is the case, when not only the justice of God, but his abused grace and mercy call for vengeance! All this does not in the least mean that any souls who sorrow for sin will be shut out from mercy, or that any will be refused the benefit of Christ's sacrifice, who are willing to accept these blessings. Him that cometh unto Christ, he will in no wise cast out.
32-39 Many and various afflictions united against the early Christians, and they had a great conflict. The Christian spirit is not a selfish spirit; it puts us upon pitying others, visiting them, helping them, and pleading for them. All things here are but shadows. The happiness of the saints in heaven will last for ever; enemies can never take it away as earthly goods. This will make rich amends for all we may lose and suffer here. The greatest part of the saints' happiness, as yet, is in promise. It is a trial of the patience of Christians, to be content to live after their work is done, and to stay for their reward till God's time to give it is come. He will soon come to them at death, to end all their sufferings, and to give them a crown of life. The Christian's present conflict may be sharp, but will be soon over. God never is pleased with the formal profession and outward duties and services of such as do not persevere; but he beholds them with great displeasure. And those who have been kept faithful in great trails for the time past, have reason to hope for the same grace to help them still to live by faith, till they receive the end of their faith and patience, even the salvation of their souls. Living by faith, and dying in faith, our souls are safe for ever.
Commentary by Matthew Henry, 1710.