Hebrews Chapter 10

“Law” (νόμος): Refers to the Mosaic system; no article in Greek, generalizing its role. Theological implication: Positions law as preparatory, not ultimate (cf. Galatians 3:24). “Shadow” (σκιὰν): Metaphor for outline or foreshadowing (cf. Colossians 2:17); contrasts with “image” (εἰκόνα), the true form or reality in Christ. “Good things to come” (τῶν μελλόντων ἀγαθῶν): Participle μελλόντων “about to be,” eschatological blessings realized in new covenant (cf. Hebrews 9:11). “Can never… make perfect” (οὐδέποτε δύναται… τελειῶσαι): Present indicative δύναται with οὐδέποτε emphasizes perpetual inability; τελειῶσαι aorist infinitive, complete maturity or consecration (cf. Hebrews 7:19, 9:9). “Sacrifices… continually offered” (θυσίας… προσφέρονται εἰς τὸ διηνεκές): Present passive προσφέρονται, ongoing; διηνεκές “perpetually,” highlighting repetition’s futility. “Those who draw near” (τοὺς προσερχομένους): Present participle, worshipers approaching God (cf. Hebrews 4:16, 7:25 for new covenant access). “Otherwise” (ἐπεὶ): Introduces counterfactual; “ceased to be offered” (ἐπαύσαντο ἂν προσφερόμεναι) pluperfect with ἂν, hypothetical cessation. “Having once been cleansed” (ἅπαξ κεκαθαρμένους): Perfect passive participle κεκαθαρμένους, enduring state; ἅπαξ “once” contrasts old repetition with new singularity. “Consciousness of sins” (συνείδησιν ἁμαρτιῶν): Moral awareness or guilt (cf. Hebrews 9:14 for conscience purification). Theological: Old sacrifices remind rather than remove (cf. Romans 3:20). “Reminder” (ἀνάμνησις): Noun for recollection, ironic contrast to Lord’s Supper “remembrance” (1 Corinthians 11:24-25). “Impossible” (ἀδύνατον): Strong negation; “blood of bulls and goats” (αἷμα ταύρων καὶ τράγων) from Leviticus 16; “take away” (ἀφαιρεῖν) present infinitive, remove completely (cf. Micah 7:19, Acts 3:19). Theological: Animal blood insufficient for true atonement (cf. Hebrews 9:12-14).

“Therefore… comes” (διὸ εἰσερχόμενος): Inferential διὸ; present participle εἰσερχόμενος, Christ’s incarnation (cf. Hebrews 1:6). “He says” (λέγει): Present tense, timeless; quote from Psalm 40:6-8 (LXX), applied messianically. Capitalized pronouns for Christ/God. “Sacrifice and offering” (θυσίαν καὶ προσφοράν): From Psalm, general offerings; “not desired” (οὐκ ἠθέλησας) aorist, no will for. “Body… prepared” (σῶμα… κατηρτίσω): Aorist κατηρτίσω “fitted” or “equipped”; LXX variant from Hebrew “ears dug,” but NA28 follows for christological emphasis on incarnation (cf. John 1:14). Theological: Body for obedience and sacrifice. “Burnt offerings and sin offerings” (ὁλοκαυτώματα καὶ περὶ ἁμαρτίας): Specific types (Leviticus 1, 4); “no pleasure” (οὐκ εὐδόκησας) aorist, no delight (cf. Isaiah 1:11-13). “Behold, I have come” (ἰδοὺ ἥκω): Present ἥκω, arrival; parenthesis from Psalm, “scroll” (κεφαλίδι βιβλίου) prophetic writings (cf. Luke 24:27). “To do Your will” (τοῦ ποιῆσαι τὸ θέλημά σου): Aorist infinitive, fulfill; θέλημα divine purpose (cf. Matthew 6:10). “When He said above” (ἀνώτερον λέγων): Participle, referencing quote; repetition emphasizes rejection of old. “Offered according to the law” (κατὰ νόμον προσφέρονται): Present passive, legal requirement. “He does away with… establish” (ἀναιρεῖ… ἵστησιν): Present indicative ἀναιρεῖ “abolishes,” ἵστησιν “establishes”; first (πρῶτον) old covenant, second (δεύτερον) new. Theological: Abrogation through fulfillment (cf. Hebrews 8:13, Matthew 5:17). “By that will” (θελήματι): Instrumental; “sanctified” (ἡγιασμένοι) perfect passive participle, enduring holiness (cf. Hebrews 2:11). “Offering of the body” (προσφορὰ τοῦ σώματος): Once (ἐφάπαξ), singular efficacy; “Jesus Christ” explicit. Theological: Sanctification via Christ’s obedient sacrifice (cf. Romans 12:1, Ephesians 5:2).

“Every priest stands” (πᾶς… ἱερεὺς ἕστηκεν): Perfect ἕστηκεν “has stood,” ongoing posture symbolizing unfinished work (cf. Exodus 29:38-42); “daily” (καθ’ ἡμέραν) emphasizes repetition. “Offering repeatedly” (πολλάκις προσφέρων): Present participle, frequent; “same sacrifices” (τὰς αὐτὰς θυσίας), unchanging ineffectiveness. “Can never take away” (οὐδέποτε δύνανται περιελεῖν): Present middle δύνανται with οὐδέποτε, perpetual inability; περιελεῖν aorist infinitive, remove completely (cf. v.4). “This priest” (οὗτος): Christ; “offered… one sacrifice” (μίαν… προσενέγκας θυσίαν) aorist participle, singular act; “for all time” (εἰς τὸ διηνεκές), perpetuity. “Sat down” (ἐκάθισεν): Aorist, completed session (cf. Hebrews 1:3, Psalm 110:1). Capitalized pronouns for Christ/God. “Waiting” (ἐκδεχόμενος): Present participle, expectant; “until… made” (ἕως… τεθῶσιν) subjunctive in purpose clause; “footstool” (ὑποπόδιον) from Psalm 110:1, subjugation (cf. 1 Corinthians 15:25). “By a single offering” (μιᾷ… προσφορᾷ): Instrumental; “perfected” (τετελείωκεν) perfect indicative, completed perfection; “for all time” (εἰς τὸ διηνεκές). “Those who are being sanctified” (τοὺς ἁγιαζομένους): Present passive participle, ongoing process (cf. Hebrews 2:11, 13:12). Theological: Definitive sanctification with progressive aspect. “Holy Spirit… bears witness” (μαρτυρεῖ… τὸ Πνεῦμα τὸ Ἅγιον): Present indicative, testifies; capitalized as deity (cf. Hebrews 3:7). “After saying” (μετὰ τὸ εἰρηκέναι): Accusative infinitive, temporal. Quote from Jeremiah 31:33-34 (cf. Hebrews 8:10-12). “Covenant… make” (διαθήκην… διαθήσομαι): Future middle διαθήσομαι “establish.” “Put… on hearts… write… minds” (δούς… ἐπιγράψω): Future, internalization (cf. Ezekiel 36:26-27). “Declares the Lord” (λέγει Κύριος): Capitalized. “Remember… no more” (μνησθῶ… οὐ μὴ): Future with double negative, absolute forgetfulness. “Forgiveness” (ἄφεσις): Remission; “no longer any offering” (οὐκέτι προσφορὰ), cessation due to finality (cf. Hebrews 9:26). Theological: New covenant forgiveness ends sacrificial system.

“Brothers and sisters” (ἀδελφοί): Inclusive rendering of ἀδελφοί (cf. Hebrews 3:1). “Confidence” (παρρησίαν): Boldness or access (cf. Ephesians 3:12); “enter the holy places” (εἴσοδον τῶν ἁγίων), heavenly sanctuary (cf. Hebrews 9:24). “By the blood of Jesus” (ἐν τῷ αἵματι Ἰησοῦ): Instrumental, means of access. “New and living way” (ὁδὸν πρόσφατον καὶ ζῶσαν): Πρόσφατον “fresh” or “recent,” implying vitality; ζῶσαν “living,” dynamic (cf. John 14:6). “Opened” (ἐνεκαίνισεν): Aorist, inaugurated; “through the curtain… flesh” (διὰ τοῦ καταπετάσματος… σαρκός), veil as type of body (cf. Matthew 27:51). Theological: Incarnation and death provide access. “Great priest” (ἱερέα μέγαν): Superior (cf. Hebrews 4:14); “house of God” (οἶκον τοῦ Θεοῦ), church (cf. Hebrews 3:6). “Let us draw near” (προσερχώμεθα): Present subjunctive hortatory, ongoing; “true heart” (ἀληθινῆς καρδίας), sincere. “Full assurance of faith” (πληροφορίᾳ πίστεως): Complete confidence; “sprinkled clean” (ῥεραντισμένοι… ἀπὸ): Perfect passive participle, from evil conscience (cf. Ezekiel 36:25, Hebrews 9:14). “Bodies washed” (λελουμένοι): Perfect passive, baptismal allusion? (cf. Titus 3:5, Ephesians 5:26); “pure water” (ὕδατι καθαρῷ). “Hold fast” (κατέχωμεν): Present hortatory, retain; “confession of our hope” (ὁμολογίαν τῆς ἐλπίδος), public declaration (cf. Hebrews 3:1, 4:14). “Without wavering” (ἀκλινῆ): Unswerving; “He who promised is faithful” (πιστὸς ὁ ἐπαγγειλάμενος), God/Christ (cf. Hebrews 11:11). “Consider… stir up” (κατανοῶμεν… παροξυσμὸν): Present subhortatory, provoke positively; “love and good works” (ἀγάπης καὶ καλῶν ἔργων) (cf. Galatians 5:6). “Not neglecting” (μὴ ἐγκαταλείποντες): Present participle negation, forsake; “meet together” (ἐπισυναγωγήν), assembly (cf. 2 Thessalonians 2:1). “Encouraging” (παρακαλοῦντες): Present participle; “the Day” (τὴν ἡμέραν), parousia or judgment (cf. Amos 5:18, 1 Corinthians 3:13). Theological: Community exhortation amid eschatological expectation.

“If we go on sinning deliberately” (ἑκουσίως… ἁμαρτανόντων ἡμῶν): Present participle ἁμαρτανόντων conditional, willful persistence (cf. Numbers 15:30); post “receiving” (λαβεῖν) aorist infinitive, full knowledge (cf. Hebrews 6:4-6). “Knowledge of the truth” (ἐπίγνωσιν τῆς ἀληθείας): Deep recognition, gospel (cf. 1 Timothy 2:4). “No longer remains” (οὐκέτι… ἀπολείπεται): Present middle, left; “sacrifice for sins” (θυσία περὶ ἁμαρτιῶν), no further atonement. Theological: Apostasy rejects Christ’s final sacrifice. “Fearful expectation” (φοβερά τις ἐκδοχή): Anticipation; “judgment” (κρίσεως), divine (cf. Hebrews 9:27). “Fury of fire” (πυρὸς ζῆλος): Zeal as consuming fire (cf. Isaiah 26:11, Zephaniah 1:18); “consume adversaries” (ἐσθίειν… ὑπεναντίους) present infinitive, devour opponents. “Set aside… dies” (ἀθετήσας… ἀποθνῄσκει): Aorist participle, reject; present indicative, penalty (Deuteronomy 17:6). “Without mercy” (χωρὶς οἰκτιρμῶν): No compassion; “two or three witnesses” (δύο ἢ τριῶν μαρτύρων). “How much worse punishment” (πόσῳ… χείρονος τιμωρίας): Rhetorical comparative; “deserved” (ἀξιωθήσεται) future passive. “Trampled underfoot” (καταπατήσας): Aorist participle, despise; “Son of God” capitalized. “Profaned” (κοινὸν ἡγησάμενος): Aorist middle participle, consider common; “blood of the covenant” (αἷμα τῆς διαθήκης), new covenant (cf. Matthew 26:28). “By which he was sanctified” (ἐν ᾧ ἡγιάσθη): Aorist passive, initial holiness; “outraged” (ἐνυβρίσας) aorist participle, insult; “Spirit of grace” (Πνεῦμα τῆς χάριτος) capitalized (cf. Zechariah 12:10). “We know Him who said” (οἴδαμεν… τὸν εἰπόντα): Perfect οἴδαμεν, certain knowledge; quotes Deuteronomy 32:35-36. “Vengeance… repay” (ἐκδίκησις… ἀνταποδώσω): Divine justice; “The Lord will judge” (Κύριος κρινεῖ) future. “Fearful thing” (φοβερὸν): Terrifying; “fall into hands” (ἐμπεσεῖν εἰς χεῖρας), idiom for judgment (cf. 2 Samuel 24:14). Theological: Warning against apostasy, emphasizing accountability.

“Recall” (ἀναμιμνῄσκεσθε): Present imperative, remember; “former days” (πρότερον ἡμέρας), early conversion. “Enlightened” (φωτισθέντες): Aorist passive participle, illumination as salvation (cf. Hebrews 6:4, Ephesians 1:18). “Endured… struggle” (ὑπεμείνατε ἆθλον): Aorist indicative, bore; ἆθλον “contest” or athletic metaphor (cf. 1 Timothy 6:12). “Publicly exposed” (θεατριζόμενοι): Present passive participle, made spectacle (cf. 1 Corinthians 4:9); “reproach and affliction” (ὀνειδισμοῖς… θλίψεσιν). “Partners” (κοινωνοὶ): Sharers; “so treated” (οὕτω ἀναστρεφομένοις) present passive participle, conducted thus. “Compassion on those in prison” (συνεπαθήσατε τοῖς δεσμίοις): Aorist, sympathized (cf. Hebrews 13:3). “Joyfully accepted” (μετὰ χαρᾶς προσεδέξασθε): Aorist middle, received; “plundering” (ἁρπαγὴν), seizure (cf. Acts 8:1-3). “Better possession… abiding” (κρείττονα ὕπαρξιν… μένουσαν): Comparative, heavenly (cf. Hebrews 11:16, 1 Peter 1:4). “Do not throw away” (μὴ ἀποβάλητε): Aorist subjunctive prohibition, discard; “confidence” (παρρησίαν), boldness (v.19); “great reward” (μισθαποδοσίαν μεγάλην) (cf. Hebrews 11:26). “Endurance” (ὑπομονῆς): Perseverance (cf. James 1:3); “done the will” (ποιήσαντες τὸ θέλημα) aorist participle. “Receive… promised” (κομίσησθε τὴν ἐπαγγελίαν): Aorist middle subjunctive, obtain. “Yet a little while” (ἔτι γὰρ μικρὸν ὅσον ὅσον): Emphatic brevity; quote from Habakkuk 2:3-4 (LXX), with Isaiah 26:20. “The coming one” (ὁ ἐρχόμενος): Messiah (cf. Matthew 11:3); “not delay” (οὐ χρονίσει). “My righteous one… by faith” (ὁ δίκαιός μου ἐκ πίστεως ζήσεται): Habakkuk; “live” future, eschatological life (cf. Romans 1:17). “Shrinks back” (ὑποστείληται): Aorist subjunctive, withdraw; “no pleasure” (οὐκ εὐδοκεῖ) present. “We are not… shrink back” (οὐκ ἐσμὲν ὑποστολῆς): Present indicative negation; “destroyed” (εἰς ἀπώλειαν), perdition. “Of those who have faith… preserve” (πίστεως εἰς περιποίησιν): Acquisition or preservation of soul (cf. 1 Thessalonians 5:9). Theological: Encouragement to persevere, contrasting faith with apostasy.