Hebrews 10:1-18
The author of Hebrews writes these two sentences just four verses apart: …we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all… (v. 10) and For by a single offering He has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified. (v. 14) There are three commonalities in these two verses: (1) we have been sanctified and those who are being sanctified; (2) once for all and for all time; and (3) through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ and by a single offering. We have been sanctified (set apart) for all time through Jesus’ death. With those commonalities, there is one item that stands alone in verse 14: He has perfected… Why is verse 14 different from verse 10 with the addition of that simple sentence? How are we perfected? (I don’t feel “perfect” just yet.) Does “for all time” suggest a later time, presumably after Jesus returns? I don’t have an answer, only the question(s). Wondering…
See also: November 30 / Hebrews 10:1-10; December 1 / Hebrews 10:11-18
Okay, I confess. A lot of Hebrews is over my head. But this one section, despite the good questions Fred raises, makes sense to me. The OT sacrificial system had its place to lead the people to having a sacrificial heart. But Christ has replaced all that, thanks be to God!
I wonder if Hebrews was written before Jerusalem and the temple were destroyed by the Romans? It seems the sacrificial system was still in place when the letter was written, and that system ended with the destruction of the temple. It seems that God used the Romans to force the change when the Jews did not recognize the new, true sacrifice of Jesus.
I think the term “perfected” may be used in its legal meaning. For example, a property right is “perfected” by the parties properly carrying out all the legal steps necessary to document and record the right. Here, the sanctification of believers (through forgiveness of our sins) is “perfected” through Christ’s sacrifice on the cross. I don’t think this means that we suddenly are perfect (holy) in and of ourselves, because sin continues to haunt us. To me, it means that those who believe and are committed to Christ are forgiven and sanctified through our association with Christ. He abides in us as we abide in Him. And with a troubled spirit and contrite heart, our sins continue to be forgiven.