Christ's Sacrifice Once for All
(Psalm 147:1-20; Romans 3:1-8)
1For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect. 2For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins. 3But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year. 4For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins.
5Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me:
6In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure.
7Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God.
8Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein; which are offered by the law; 9Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second. 10By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
11And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: 12But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; 13From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool. 14For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified. 15Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before,
16This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;
17And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.
18Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin.
A Call to Persevere
(Jude 1:17-23)
19Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, 20By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; 21And having an high priest over the house of God; 22Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. 23Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) 24And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: 25Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
26For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, 27But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. 28He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: 29Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? 30For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people. 31It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
32But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were illuminated, ye endured a great fight of afflictions; 33Partly, whilst ye were made a gazingstock both by reproaches and afflictions; and partly, whilst ye became companions of them that were so used. 34For ye had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance. 35Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward. 36For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.
37For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry.
38Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.
39But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.
King James Bible
Text courtesy of BibleProtector.com.
Christ’s Perfect Sacrifice
(Psalm 40:1–17)
1 For the law, having a shadow of the good to come, not the very image of the things, can never with the same sacrifices year by year, which they offer continually, make perfect those who draw near. 2 Or else wouldn’t they have ceased to be offered, because the worshippers, having been once cleansed, would have had no more consciousness of sins? 3 But in those sacrifices there is a yearly reminder of sins. 4 For it is impossible that the blood of bulls and goats should take away sins.
5 Therefore when he comes into the world, he says, “Sacrifice and offering you didn’t desire, but you prepared a body for me;
6 You had no pleasure in whole burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin.
7 Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come (in the scroll of the book it is written of me) to do your will, O God.’”
8 Previously saying, “Sacrifices and offerings and whole burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin you didn’t desire, neither had pleasure in them” (those which are offered according to the law), 9 then he has said, “Behold, I have come to do your will.” He takes away the first, that he may establish the second, 10 by which will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
11 Every priest indeed stands day by day serving and often offering the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins, 12 but he, when he had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down on the right hand of God; 13 from that time waiting until his enemies are made the footstool of his feet. 14 For by one offering he has perfected forever those who are being sanctified. 15 The Holy Spirit also testifies to us, for after saying,
16 “This is the covenant that I will make with them: ‘After those days,’ says the Lord, ‘I will put my laws on their heart, I will also write them on their mind;’” then he says,
17 “I will remember their sins and their iniquities no more.”
18 Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin.
A Call to Persevere
(Jude 1:17–23)
19 Having therefore, brothers, boldness to enter into the holy place by the blood of Jesus, 20 by the way which he dedicated for us, a new and living way, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; 21 and having a great priest over the house of God, 22 let’s draw near with a true heart in fullness of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and having our body washed with pure water, 23 let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering; for he who promised is faithful. 24 Let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good works, 25 not forsaking our own assembling together, as the custom of some is, but exhorting one another; and so much the more, as you see the Day approaching.
26 For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remains no more a sacrifice for sins, 27 but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and a fierceness of fire which will devour the adversaries. 28 A man who disregards Moses’ law dies without compassion on the word of two or three witnesses. 29 How much worse punishment, do you think, will he be judged worthy of, who has trodden under foot the Son of God, and has counted the blood of the covenant with which he was sanctified an unholy thing, and has insulted the Spirit of grace? 30 For we know him who said, “Vengeance belongs to me,” says the Lord, “I will repay.” Again, “The Lord will judge his people.” 31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
32 But remember the former days, in which, after you were enlightened, you endured a great struggle with sufferings; 33 partly, being exposed to both reproaches and oppressions; and partly, becoming partakers with those who were treated so. 34 For you both had compassion on me in my chains, and joyfully accepted the plundering of your possessions, knowing that you have for yourselves a better possession and an enduring one in the heavens. 35 Therefore don’t throw away your boldness, which has a great reward. 36 For you need endurance so that, having done the will of God, you may receive the promise.
37 “In a very little while, he who comes will come, and will not wait.
38 But the righteous will live by faith. If he shrinks back, my soul has no pleasure in him.”
39 But we are not of those who shrink back to destruction, but of those who have faith to the saving of the soul.
Christ’s Perfect Sacrifice
(Psalm 40:1–17)
1 For the law is only a shadow of the good things to come, not the realities themselves. It can never, by the same sacrifices offered year after year, make perfect those who draw near to worship. 2 If it could, would not the offerings have ceased? For the worshipers would have been cleansed once for all, and would no longer have felt the guilt of their sins.
3 Instead, those sacrifices are an annual reminder of sins, 4 because it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. 5 Therefore, when Christ came into the world, He said:
“Sacrifice and offering You did not desire,
but a body You prepared for Me.
6 In burnt offerings and sin offerings
You took no delight.
7 Then I said, ‘Here I am, it is written about Me in the scroll:
I have come to do Your will, O God.’ ” a
8 In the passage above He says, “Sacrifices and offerings, burnt offerings and sin offerings You did not desire, nor did You delight in them” (although they are offered according to the law). 9 Then He adds, “Here I am, I have come to do Your will.” He takes away the first to establish the second. 10 And by that will, we have been sanctified through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
11 Day after day every priest stands to minister and to offer again and again the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. 12 But when this Priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, He sat down at the right hand of God. 13 Since that time, He waits for His enemies to be made a footstool for His feet, 14 because by a single offering He has made perfect for all time those who are being sanctified.
15 The Holy Spirit also testifies to us about this. First He says:
16 “This is the covenant I will make with them
after those days, declares the Lord.
I will put My laws in their hearts
and inscribe them on their minds.” b
17 Then He adds:
“Their sins and lawless acts
I will remember no more.” c
18 And where these have been forgiven, an offering for sin is no longer needed.
A Call to Persevere
(Jude 1:17–23)
19 Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place d by the blood of Jesus, 20 by the new and living way opened for us through the curtain of His body, e 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.
23 Let us hold resolutely to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how to spur one another on to love and good deeds. 25 Let us not neglect meeting together, as some have made a habit, but let us encourage one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
26 If we deliberately go on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no further sacrifice for sins remains, 27 but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume all adversaries. 28 Anyone who rejected the law of Moses died without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. 29 How much more severely do you think one deserves to be punished who has trampled on the Son of God, profaned the blood of the covenant that sanctified him, and insulted the Spirit of grace?
30 For we know Him who said, “Vengeance is Mine; I will repay,” f and again, “The Lord will judge His people.” g 31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
32 Remember the early days that you were in the light. h In those days, you endured a great conflict in the face of suffering. 33 Sometimes you were publicly exposed to ridicule and persecution; at other times you were partners with those who were so treated. 34 You sympathized with those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, knowing that you yourselves had a better and permanent possession.
35 So do not throw away your confidence; it holds a great reward. 36 You need to persevere, so that after you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised. 37 For,
“In just a little while,
He who is coming will come and will not delay.
38 But My righteous one will live by faith; i
and if he shrinks back,
I will take no pleasure in him.” j
39 But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls.
Footnotes:
7 a Psalm 40:6–8 (see also LXX)
16 b Jeremiah 31:33
17 c Jeremiah 31:34
19 d Or the Holy Place
20 e Literally through the veil that is His flesh
30 f Deuteronomy 32:35 (see also LXX)
30 g Deuteronomy 32:36; Psalm 135:14
32 h Or Remember when you were first enlightened.
38 i BYZ and TR But the righteous will live by faith
38 j Habakkuk 2:3–4 (see also LXX)
Christ's Sacrifice Once for All
(Psalm 147:1-20; Romans 3:1-8)
1For the law having a shadow of the coming good things -- not the very image of the matters, every year, by the same sacrifices that they offer continually, is never able to make perfect those coming near, 2since, would they not have ceased to be offered, because of those serving having no more conscience of sins, having once been purified? 3but in those sacrifices is a remembrance of sins every year, 4for it is impossible for blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.
5Wherefore, coming into the world, he saith, 'Sacrifice and offering Thou didst not will, and a body Thou didst prepare for me,
6in burnt-offerings, and concerning sin-offerings, Thou didst not delight,
7then I said, Lo, I come, (in a volume of the book it hath been written concerning me,) to do, O God, Thy will;'
8saying above -- 'Sacrifice, and offering, and burnt-offerings, and concerning sin-offering Thou didst not will, nor delight in,' -- which according to the law are offered -- 9then he said, 'Lo, I come to do, O God, Thy will;' he doth take away the first that the second he may establish; 10in the which will we are having been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once,
11and every priest, indeed, hath stood daily serving, and the same sacrifices many times offering, that are never able to take away sins. 12And He, for sin one sacrifice having offered -- to the end, did sit down on the right hand of God, -- 13as to the rest, expecting till He may place his enemies as his footstool, 14for by one offering he hath perfected to the end those sanctified; 15and testify to us also doth the Holy Spirit, for after that He hath said before,
16This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, giving My laws on their hearts, and upon their minds I will write them,'
17and 'their sins and their lawlessness I will remember no more;'
18and where forgiveness of these is, there is no more offering for sin.
A Call to Persevere
(Jude 1:17-23)
19Having, therefore, brethren, boldness for the entrance into the holy places, in the blood of Jesus, 20which way he did initiate for us -- new and living, through the vail, that is, his flesh -- 21and a high priest over the house of God, 22may we draw near with a true heart, in full assurance of faith, having the hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and having the body bathed with pure water; 23may we hold fast the unwavering profession of the hope, (for faithful is He who did promise), 24and may we consider one another to provoke to love and to good works, 25not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as a custom of certain is, but exhorting, and so much the more as ye see the day coming nigh.
26For we -- wilfully sinning after the receiving the full knowledge of the truth -- no more for sins doth there remain a sacrifice, 27but a certain fearful looking for of judgment, and fiery zeal, about to devour the opposers; 28any one who did set at nought a law of Moses, apart from mercies, by two or three witnesses, doth die, 29of how much sorer punishment shall he be counted worthy who the Son of God did trample on, and the blood of the covenant did count a common thing, in which he was sanctified, and to the Spirit of the grace did despite? 30for we have known Him who is saying, 'Vengeance is Mine, I will recompense, saith the Lord;' and again, 'The Lord shall judge His people;' -- 31fearful is the falling into the hands of a living God.
32And call to your remembrance the former days, in which, having been enlightened, ye did endure much conflict of sufferings, 33partly both with reproaches and tribulations being made spectacles, and partly having become partners of those so living, 34for also with my bonds ye sympathised, and the robbery of your goods with joy ye did receive, knowing that ye have in yourselves a better substance in the heavens, and an enduring one. 35Ye may not cast away, then, your boldness, which hath great recompense of reward, 36for of patience ye have need, that the will of God having done, ye may receive the promise,
37for yet a very very little, He who is coming will come, and will not tarry;
38and 'the righteous by faith shall live,' and 'if he may draw back, My soul hath no pleasure in him,'
39and we are not of those drawing back to destruction, but of those believing to a preserving of soul.
The Favor of God Paraphrase
Jesus, the Final and Complete Sacrifice
¹ The old system under the law was just a shadow, a dim preview of the good things to come—not the real thing itself. Those sacrifices were repeated endlessly year after year, but they were never able to cleanse the people from their sins once and for all. ² If they could have, wouldn’t the sacrifices have stopped? For the worshipers would have been purified once and for all, and their guilt would have disappeared. ³ But those sacrifices actually served as a reminder of their sins year after year, ⁴ because it’s impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.
⁵ That’s why, when Jesus came into the world, He said, “You didn’t want sacrifices or offerings, but You prepared a body for me. ⁶ You weren’t pleased with burnt offerings or sin offerings. ⁷ Then I said, ‘Look, I have come to do Your will, O God, as it is written about Me in the Scriptures.’”
⁸ First, He said, “You didn’t want or take pleasure in sacrifices, offerings, burnt offerings, and sin offerings” (though they were offered according to the law). ⁹ Then He added, “Look, I have come to do Your will.” He sets aside the first system to establish the second. ¹⁰ And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus once for all!
¹¹ Day after day every priest stands and performs his religious duties; again and again he offers the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. ¹² But when Jesus had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, He sat down at the right hand of God, ¹³ and since that time, He waits for His enemies to be made His footstool. ¹⁴ For by one offering, He has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.
God’s Promise of Forgiveness
¹⁵ The Holy Spirit also testifies to this. First, He says, ¹⁶ “This is the covenant I will make with them after that time, says the Lord. I will put My laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds.” ¹⁷ Then He adds, “Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more.” ¹⁸ And where these have been forgiven, there is no longer any sacrifice for sin.
A Call to Persevere
¹⁹ Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, ²⁰ by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, His body, ²¹ and since we have a great priest over the house of God, ²² let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. ²³ Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful. ²⁴ And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, ²⁵ not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
Warning Against Willful Sin
²⁶ If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, ²⁷ but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God. ²⁸ Anyone who rejected the law of Moses died without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. ²⁹ How much more severely do you think someone deserves to be punished who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, who has treated as an unholy thing the blood of the covenant that sanctified them, and who has insulted the Spirit of grace? ³⁰ For we know Him who said, “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” and again, “The Lord will judge His people.” ³¹ It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
Remember the Early Days of Faith
³² Remember those earlier days after you had received the light, when you endured in a great conflict full of suffering. ³³ Sometimes you were publicly exposed to insult and persecution; at other times you stood side by side with those who were so treated. ³⁴ You suffered along with those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, because you knew that you yourselves had better and lasting possessions. ³⁵ So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. ³⁶ You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised. ³⁷ For, “In just a little while, He who is coming will come and will not delay.”
³⁸ And, “But My righteous one will live by faith. And I take no pleasure in the one who shrinks back.” ³⁹ But we do not belong to those who shrink back and are destroyed, but to those who have faith and are saved.
Footnotes:
1.“Old system under the law” (verse 1) refers to the system of sacrifices under the Mosaic covenant.
2.“Shadow” (verse 1) indicates that the former sacrifices were only a representation, not the fullness of God’s redemptive plan.
3.“Once for all” (verse 10) highlights the finality of Jesus’ sacrifice, unlike the repeated sacrifices in the temple.
4.“The Day approaching” (verse 25) refers to the anticipated return of Jesus and the final fulfillment of God’s promises.
5.“The righteous one will live by faith” (verse 38) references Habakkuk 2:4, emphasizing living by faith amidst trials.
