“Now where there is remission of these, there is no longer an offering for sin” (Hebrews 10:18).
Hebrews 10:18 marks the conclusion of the doctrinal portion of this letter that began earlier in chapter seven. The author of Hebrews has built towards this conclusion with several key observations over the past few chapters. For instance…
- The priests who served under the Old Testament Law were subject to the death process, just like any other human being. Thus, their ministries were limited and temporary (Hebrews 7:23-25).
- The Levitical priests were fallible human beings who had to atone for their own sins before they were permitted to minister to others (Hebrews 7:26-27).
- The Old Covenant Law featured several inadequacies that established the need for a superior covenant (Hebrews 8:6-7).
- Thus, the priesthood held by Aaron and his successors under the Old Testament Law was deficient (Hebrews 9:6-10, 10:1-4).
- The Old Testament Scriptures anticipated the advent of a New Covenant and Jesus’ superior priestly ministry (Hebrews 10:5-9).
These foundational observations lead us to the final passage of this section: “When sins are forgiven, there is no more need to offer sacrifices” (CEV). That fundamental truth explains why Christianity has no further need of sacrificial offerings of any kind. This refers not only to the animal sacrifices of long ago; it also includes any work we might seek to do in order to get right with God today. When the issue of sin has been addressed permanently (as it has through Jesus’ once-for-all atoning sacrifice), no such offerings are necessary.
Thus, Hebrews 10:18 reminds us that Christianity is not based on what we can do for God, but on what God has done for us through Christ. As we’re told in Acts 4:12, “There is salvation in no one else. Under all heaven there is no other name for men to call upon to save them” (TLB).
The following commentator brings closure to this lengthy portion of Scripture…
“Priestly ministry was such an important part of old Israelite worship that the writer gave it lengthy attention here. The writer showed that Jesus is a superior priest compared with the Levitical priests, and that His priesthood supersedes (has replaced) the Levitical priesthood. He also pointed out that Jesus serves under the New Covenant that is superior to the Old Covenant.
Furthermore, His sacrifice is superior to the animal sacrifices of the Old Covenant. Finally, Jesus’ priesthood brings the believer into full acceptance with God, something the former priesthood could not do. Therefore the readers would be foolish to abandon Christianity to return to Judaism. Contemporary believers are also foolish to turn away from Christ and the gospel.” (1)
(1) Dr. Thomas L. Constable, Notes on Hebrews 2022 Edition [10:15-18] Retrieved 01 November, 2022 from https://www.planobiblechapel.org/tcon/notes/html/nt/hebrews/hebrews.htm