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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Hebrews 10:2 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.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/hebrews/10-2.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/5/58_Heb_10_02.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Hebrews 10:2 - Christ's Perfect Sacrifice" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="If it could, would not the offerings have ceased? 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For the worshipers would have been cleansed once for all, and would no longer have felt guilty for their sins. <a href="/nlt/hebrews/10.htm">New Living Translation</a> If they could have provided perfect cleansing, the sacrifices would have stopped, for the worshipers would have been purified once for all time, and their feelings of guilt would have disappeared. <a href="/esv/hebrews/10.htm">English Standard Version</a> Otherwise, would they not have ceased to be offered, since the worshipers, having once been cleansed, would no longer have any consciousness of sins? <a href="/bsb/hebrews/10.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> 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. <a href="/blb/hebrews/10.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> Otherwise, would they not have ceased being offered, because of those serving having been cleansed once, no longer having conscience of sins? <a href="/kjv/hebrews/10.htm">King James Bible</a> For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins. <a href="/nkjv/hebrews/10.htm">New King James Version</a> For then would they not have ceased to be offered? For the worshipers, once purified, would have had no more consciousness of sins. <a href="/nasb_/hebrews/10.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> Otherwise, would they not have ceased to be offered, because the worshipers, having once been cleansed, would no longer have had consciousness of sins? <a href="/nasb/hebrews/10.htm">NASB 1995</a> Otherwise, would they not have ceased to be offered, because the worshipers, having once been cleansed, would no longer have had consciousness of sins? <a href="/nasb77/hebrews/10.htm">NASB 1977 </a> Otherwise, would they not have ceased to be offered, because the worshipers, having once been cleansed, would no longer have had consciousness of sins? <a href="/lsb/hebrews/10.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> Otherwise, would they not have ceased to be offered, because the worshipers, having once been cleansed, would no longer have consciousness of sins? <a href="/amp/hebrews/10.htm">Amplified Bible</a> For if it were otherwise, would not these sacrifices have stopped being offered? For the worshipers, having once [for all time] been cleansed, would no longer have a consciousness of sin. <a href="/csb/hebrews/10.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> Otherwise, wouldn’t they have stopped being offered, since the worshipers, purified once and for all, would no longer have any consciousness of sins? <a href="/hcsb/hebrews/10.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> Otherwise, wouldn&#8217t they have stopped being offered, since the worshipers, once purified, would no longer have any consciousness of sins? <a href="/asv/hebrews/10.htm">American Standard Version</a> Else would they not have ceased to be offered? because the worshippers, having been once cleansed, would have had no more consciousness of sins. <a href="/cev/hebrews/10.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> If there were worshipers who already have their sins washed away and their consciences made clear, there would not be any need to go on offering sacrifices. <a href="/erv/hebrews/10.htm">English Revised Version</a> Else would they not have ceased to be offered, because the worshippers, having been once cleansed, would have had no more conscience of sins? <a href="/gwt/hebrews/10.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> If these sacrifices could have made the worshipers perfect, the sacrifices would have stopped long ago. Those who worship would have been cleansed once and for all. Their consciences would have been free from sin. <a href="/gnt/hebrews/10.htm">Good News Translation</a> If the people worshiping God had really been purified from their sins, they would not feel guilty of sin any more, and all sacrifices would stop. <a href="/isv/hebrews/10.htm">International Standard Version</a> Otherwise, would they not have stopped offering them, because the worshipers, cleansed once for all, would no longer be aware of any sins? <a href="/msb/hebrews/10.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> 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. <a href="/net/hebrews/10.htm">NET Bible</a> For otherwise would they not have ceased to be offered, since the worshipers would have been purified once for all and so have no further consciousness of sin? <a href="/nheb/hebrews/10.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> Or else would not they have ceased to be offered, because the worshippers, having been once cleansed, would have had no more consciousness of sins? <a href="/wbt/hebrews/10.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshipers once cleansed, would have had no more conscience of sins. <a href="/wey/hebrews/10.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> For then would not the sacrifices have ceased to be offered, because the consciences of the worshippers--who in that case would now have been cleansed once for all--would no longer be burdened with sins? <a href="/web/hebrews/10.htm">World English Bible</a> Or else wouldn’t they have ceased to be offered, because the worshipers, having been once cleansed, would have had no more consciousness of sins? <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/hebrews/10.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> since, would they not have ceased to be offered, because of those serving having no more conscience of sins, having been purified once? <a href="/blb/hebrews/10.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> Otherwise, would they not have ceased being offered, because of those serving having been cleansed once, no longer having conscience of sins? <a href="/ylt/hebrews/10.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> since, would they not have ceased to be offered, because of those serving having no more conscience of sins, having once been purified? <a href="/slt/hebrews/10.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> For would they not have ceased to be brought in? because they serving have no more consciousness of sins, once purified.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/hebrews/10.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> For then they would have ceased to be offered: because the worshippers once cleansed should have no conscience of sin any longer: <a href="/cpdv/hebrews/10.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> Otherwise, they would have ceased to be offered, because the worshipers, once cleansed, would no longer be conscious of any sin. <a href="/nabre/hebrews/10.htm">New American Bible</a> Otherwise, would not the sacrifices have ceased to be offered, since the worshipers, once cleansed, would no longer have had any consciousness of sins? <a href="/nrsvce/hebrews/10.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> Otherwise, would they not have ceased being offered, since the worshipers, cleansed once for all, would no longer have any consciousness of sin?<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/hebrews/10.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> For if they had once been perfected, they would have ceased from their offerings; for, from henceforth their minds would not have driven them into the sins from which they had once been cleansed. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/hebrews/10.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> For if they had perfected them, doubtless, they would have ceased from their offerings, because their conscience would not have been buffeted by sin once they had themselves been purged;<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/hebrews/10.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> for then, would they not have ceased to be offered? because the worshipers, after being once cleansed, would no longer have a consciousness of sins. <a href="/godbey/hebrews/10.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> since in that case would they not have ceased being offered, because the worshipers having once been purified would have had no more conscience of sins? <a href="/haweis/hebrews/10.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> else they would have discontinued to make the offering, because they who performed the service being once made clean, would have had no more sense of sins on their conscience. <a href="/mace/hebrews/10.htm">Mace New Testament</a> for then they would not have been repeated, because they who sacrificed being once purified, would not have been conscious of wanting any further atonement for their sins: <a href="/wey/hebrews/10.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> For then would not the sacrifices have ceased to be offered, because the consciences of the worshippers--who in that case would now have been cleansed once for all--would no longer be burdened with sins? <a href="/worrell/hebrews/10.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> else would they not have ceased to be offered? because the worshipers, having been cleansed once for all, would have had no more conscience of sins. <a href="/worsley/hebrews/10.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> For then they would have ceased to be offered, because the sacrificers, being once purified, would no longer retain any consciousness of sins. <a href="/parallel/hebrews/10-2.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/x-IAXXp5zcA?start=1728" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/hebrews/10.htm">Christ's Perfect Sacrifice</a> 1For 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<a href="/greek/1893.htm" title="1893: epei (Conj) -- Of time: when, after; of cause: since, because; otherwise: else. From epi and ei; thereupon, i.e. Since.">If it could,</a> <a href="/greek/302.htm" title="302: an (Prtcl) -- A primary particle, denoting a supposition, wish, possibility or uncertainty."></a> <a href="/greek/3756.htm" title="3756: ouk (Adv) -- No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not."></a> <a href="/greek/3973.htm" title="3973: epausanto (V-AIM-3P) -- A primary verb; to stop, i.e. Restrain, quit, desist, come to an end.">would not the offerings have ceased?</a> <a href="/greek/4374.htm" title="4374: prospheromenai (V-PPM/P-NFP) -- From pros and phero; to bear towards, i.e. Lead to, tender, treat."></a> <a href="/greek/1223.htm" title="1223: dia (Prep) -- A primary preposition denoting the channel of an act; through.">For</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tous (Art-AMP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the</a> <a href="/greek/3000.htm" title="3000: latreuontas (V-PPA-AMP) -- To serve, especially God, perhaps simply: I worship. From latris; to minister, i.e. Render religious homage.">worshipers</a> <a href="/greek/2511.htm" title="2511: kekatharismenous (V-RPM/P-AMP) -- To cleanse, make clean, literally, ceremonially, or spiritually, according to context. From katharos; to cleanse.">would have been cleansed</a> <a href="/greek/530.htm" title="530: hapax (Adv) -- Once, once for all. Probably from hapas; one time.">once for all,</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: to (Art-ANS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/2192.htm" title="2192: echein (V-PNA) -- To have, hold, possess. Including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; a primary verb; to hold.">and would</a> <a href="/greek/3367.htm" title="3367: mēdemian (Adj-AFS) -- No one, none, nothing. ">no</a> <a href="/greek/2089.htm" title="2089: eti (Adv) -- (a) of time: still, yet, even now, (b) of degree: even, further, more, in addition. Perhaps akin to etos; yet, still.">longer</a> <a href="/greek/4893.htm" title="4893: syneidēsin (N-AFS) -- The conscience, a persisting notion. From a prolonged form of suneido; co-perception, i.e. Moral consciousness.">have felt the guilt</a> <a href="/greek/266.htm" title="266: hamartiōn (N-GFP) -- From hamartano; a sin.">of their sins.</a> 3Instead, those sacrifices are an annual reminder of sins,…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/hebrews/9-9.htm">Hebrews 9:9</a> It is an illustration for the present time, because the gifts and sacrifices being offered were unable to cleanse the conscience of the worshiper. <a href="/hebrews/9-14.htm">Hebrews 9:14</a> how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself unblemished to God, purify our consciences from works of death, so that we may serve the living God! <a href="/hebrews/10-4.htm">Hebrews 10:4</a> because it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. <a href="/hebrews/10-11.htm">Hebrews 10:11</a> Day after day every priest stands to minister and to offer again and again the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. <a href="/romans/3-20.htm">Romans 3:20</a> Therefore no one will be justified in His sight by works of the law. For the law merely brings awareness of sin. <a href="/galatians/3-21.htm">Galatians 3:21</a> Is the law, then, opposed to the promises of God? Certainly not! For if a law had been given that could impart life, then righteousness would certainly have come from the law. <a href="/colossians/2-17.htm">Colossians 2:17</a> These are a shadow of the things to come, but the body that casts it belongs to Christ. <a href="/1_john/1-7.htm">1 John 1:7</a> But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. <a href="/romans/8-3.htm">Romans 8:3</a> For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful man, as an offering for sin. He thus condemned sin in the flesh, <a href="/romans/6-6.htm">Romans 6:6</a> We know that our old self was crucified with Him so that the body of sin might be rendered powerless, that we should no longer be slaves to sin. <a href="/psalms/51-16.htm">Psalm 51:16-17</a> For You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; You take no pleasure in burnt offerings. / The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise. <a href="/isaiah/1-11.htm">Isaiah 1:11</a> “What good to Me is your multitude of sacrifices?” says the LORD. “I am full from the burnt offerings of rams and the fat of well-fed cattle; I take no delight in the blood of bulls and lambs and goats. <a href="/micah/6-6.htm">Micah 6:6-8</a> With what shall I come before the LORD when I bow before the God on high? Should I come to Him with burnt offerings, with year-old calves? / Would the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousand rivers of oil? Shall I present my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? / He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you but to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God? <a href="/jeremiah/6-20.htm">Jeremiah 6:20</a> What use to Me is frankincense from Sheba or sweet cane from a distant land? Your burnt offerings are not acceptable; your sacrifices do not please Me.” <a href="/hosea/6-6.htm">Hosea 6:6</a> For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins.would they not have.<a href="/hebrews/10-17.htm">Hebrews 10:17</a> And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.<a href="/hebrews/9-13.htm">Hebrews 9:13,14</a> For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: … <a href="/psalms/103-12.htm">Psalm 103:12</a> As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.conscience.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/hebrews/9-7.htm">Account</a> <a href="/2_timothy/3-6.htm">Burdened</a> <a href="/hebrews/9-26.htm">Case</a> <a href="/hebrews/4-10.htm">Ceased</a> <a href="/hebrews/9-23.htm">Clean</a> <a href="/hebrews/9-23.htm">Cleansed</a> <a href="/hebrews/9-9.htm">Completely</a> <a href="/hebrews/9-14.htm">Conscience</a> <a href="/hebrews/9-14.htm">Consciences</a> <a href="/2_timothy/3-14.htm">Conscious</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/8-7.htm">Consciousness</a> <a href="/hebrews/9-26.htm">End</a> <a href="/hebrews/2-18.htm">Felt</a> <a href="/hebrews/9-23.htm">Indeed</a> <a href="/philemon/1-16.htm">Longer</a> <a href="/hebrews/10-1.htm">Offered</a> <a href="/hebrews/9-23.htm">Offerings</a> <a href="/hebrews/9-28.htm">Once</a> <a href="/hebrews/9-17.htm">Otherwise</a> <a href="/hebrews/9-5.htm">Possible</a> <a href="/hebrews/9-22.htm">Purged</a> <a href="/hebrews/10-1.htm">Sacrifices</a> <a href="/hebrews/10-1.htm">Sin</a> <a href="/hebrews/9-28.htm">Sins</a> <a href="/titus/1-11.htm">Stopped</a> <a href="/john/4-24.htm">Worshipers</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/10-7.htm">Worshippers</a> <a href="/hebrews/3-18.htm">Wouldn't</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/hebrews/13-17.htm">Account</a> <a href="/judges/2-18.htm">Burdened</a> <a href="/james/2-20.htm">Case</a> <a href="/1_peter/4-1.htm">Ceased</a> <a href="/hebrews/10-22.htm">Clean</a> <a href="/2_peter/1-9.htm">Cleansed</a> <a href="/1_peter/2-9.htm">Completely</a> <a href="/hebrews/10-22.htm">Conscience</a> <a href="/hebrews/10-22.htm">Consciences</a> <a href="/hebrews/13-2.htm">Conscious</a> <a href="/romans/1-19.htm">Consciousness</a> <a href="/hebrews/10-12.htm">End</a> <a href="/2_peter/2-8.htm">Felt</a> <a href="/hebrews/10-11.htm">Indeed</a> <a href="/hebrews/10-17.htm">Longer</a> <a href="/hebrews/10-8.htm">Offered</a> <a href="/hebrews/10-3.htm">Offerings</a> <a href="/hebrews/10-10.htm">Once</a> <a href="/revelation/2-16.htm">Otherwise</a> <a href="/hebrews/10-4.htm">Possible</a> <a href="/2_peter/1-9.htm">Purged</a> <a href="/hebrews/10-3.htm">Sacrifices</a> <a href="/hebrews/10-3.htm">Sin</a> <a href="/hebrews/10-3.htm">Sins</a> <a href="/hebrews/11-33.htm">Stopped</a> <a href="/revelation/11-1.htm">Worshipers</a> <a href="/revelation/11-1.htm">Worshippers</a> <a href="/hebrews/11-5.htm">Wouldn't</a><div class="vheading2">Hebrews 10</div>1. <a href="/hebrews/10-1.htm">The weakness of the law sacrifices.</a> 10. <a href="/hebrews/10-10.htm">The sacrifice of Christ's body once offered,</a> 14. <a href="/hebrews/10-14.htm">for ever has taken away sins.</a> 19. <a href="/hebrews/10-19.htm">An exhortation to hold fast the faith with patience and thanksgiving.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; 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This phrase questions the effectiveness of the Old Testament sacrificial system. The sacrifices under the Mosaic Law were repeated annually, indicating their inability to fully atone for sin. The rhetorical question implies that if these offerings were truly effective, they would have been unnecessary to repeat. This highlights the temporary and anticipatory nature of the Old Covenant sacrifices, which pointed forward to the ultimate sacrifice of Christ. The cessation of offerings is a theme echoed in the prophetic literature, such as in <a href="/daniel/9-27.htm">Daniel 9:27</a>, which speaks of the end of sacrifices with the coming of the Messiah.For the worshipers would have been cleansed once for all, The concept of being "cleansed once for all" contrasts with the repeated sacrifices of the Old Covenant. In the New Testament, the cleansing through Christ's sacrifice is described as complete and final (<a href="/hebrews/9-12.htm">Hebrews 9:12</a>). This reflects the fulfillment of the purification rituals in the Old Testament, such as those on the Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16), which were temporary and symbolic. The idea of a once-for-all cleansing is central to the New Covenant, as prophesied in <a href="/jeremiah/31-34.htm">Jeremiah 31:34</a>, where God promises to remember sins no more.and would no longer have felt the guilt of their sins. This phrase addresses the internal aspect of guilt and conscience. The Old Testament sacrifices could not remove the consciousness of sin, as they were external and symbolic (<a href="/hebrews/9-9.htm">Hebrews 9:9</a>). The New Covenant, through Christ's sacrifice, offers a clear conscience and true peace with God (<a href="/hebrews/9-14.htm">Hebrews 9:14</a>). This internal transformation is a key aspect of the New Covenant promise, as seen in <a href="/ezekiel/36-26.htm">Ezekiel 36:26-27</a>, where God promises to give a new heart and spirit to His people. The removal of guilt is a profound change brought about by the atoning work of Christ, fulfilling the deeper spiritual needs that the Old Covenant could only foreshadow.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/w/worshipers.htm">Worshipers</a> Refers to those who participated in the sacrificial system under the Old Covenant, seeking atonement for their sins through animal sacrifices. 2. <a href="/topical/o/offerings.htm">Offerings</a> The sacrifices made under the Old Covenant, which were repeated regularly as they could not fully cleanse the conscience of the worshipers. 3. <a href="/topical/o/old_covenant.htm">Old Covenant</a> The system of laws and sacrifices given to the Israelites, which included the sacrificial system for atonement of sins. 4. <a href="/topical/n/new_covenant.htm">New Covenant</a> Introduced through Jesus Christ, offering a once-for-all sacrifice that truly cleanses and redeems. 5. <a href="/topical/h/hebrews.htm">Hebrews</a> The recipients of the letter, likely Jewish Christians who were familiar with the Old Covenant practices and needed encouragement to hold fast to their faith in Christ.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/t/the_insufficiency_of_repeated_sacrifices.htm">The Insufficiency of Repeated Sacrifices</a> The Old Covenant sacrifices were a shadow of the true cleansing that would come through Christ. They were unable to perfect the conscience of the worshipers, necessitating their repetition. <a href="/topical/t/the_complete_cleansing_in_christ.htm">The Complete Cleansing in Christ</a> Jesus' sacrifice is once for all, providing complete cleansing and removing the guilt of sin. Believers can rest in the assurance of their forgiveness and righteousness in Him. <a href="/topical/l/living_with_a_cleansed_conscience.htm">Living with a Cleansed Conscience</a> As believers, we are called to live in the freedom of a cleansed conscience, no longer burdened by guilt. This empowers us to serve God with joy and confidence. <a href="/topical/t/the_call_to_persevere_in_faith.htm">The Call to Persevere in Faith</a> Understanding the sufficiency of Christ's sacrifice encourages us to hold fast to our faith, resisting the temptation to revert to old ways or rely on works for salvation. <a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_heart_transformation.htm">The Importance of Heart Transformation</a> True worship and relationship with God require a transformed heart, not just external rituals. We are invited to seek a deeper, heart-level relationship with God through Christ.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_hebrews_10.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Hebrews 10</a> <a href="/q/who_is_chuck_smith.htm">What are spiritual sacrifices in religious practices?</a> <a href="/q/how_does_a_'living_sacrifice'_coexist.htm">In Romans 12:1, how can a 'living sacrifice' coexist with the idea that Christ's sacrifice ended the need for sacrifices altogether?</a> <a href="/q/why_does_psalm_40_6_downplay_sacrifices.htm">Psalm 40:6 - Why does this verse downplay the role of sacrifices and offerings, seemingly contradicting other Old Testament passages that emphasize the necessity of animal sacrifices?</a> <a href="/q/is_animal_sacrifice_needed.htm">Is animal sacrifice necessary? (Leviticus 4:31 vs. Hebrews 10:4)</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/hebrews/10.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(2) For then.--Better, otherwise. The very repetition of the annual ceremonial was a testimony to its imperfection. The idea of repetition has been very strikingly brought out in <a href="/hebrews/10-1.htm" title="For 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.">Hebrews 10:1</a>.Once purged.--Better, because the worshippers, having been once cleansed, would have no more consciousness of sins. "Worshippers," not the same word as in <a href="/hebrews/10-1.htm" title="For 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.">Hebrews 10:1</a>, but similarly used in <a href="/hebrews/9-9.htm" title="Which was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience;">Hebrews 9:9</a>; <a href="/hebrews/9-14.htm" title="How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?">Hebrews 9:14</a>; <a href="/hebrews/12-28.htm" title="Why we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:">Hebrews 12:28</a> (<a href="/philippians/3-3.htm" title="For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.">Philippians 3:3</a>, et al.): in <a href="/hebrews/8-5.htm" title="Who serve to the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, said he, that you make all things according to the pattern showed to you in the mount.">Hebrews 8:5</a>; <a href="/hebrews/13-10.htm" title="We have an altar, whereof they have no right to eat which serve the tabernacle.">Hebrews 13:10</a>, it is applied to priestly service. . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/hebrews/10.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verses 2, 3. - For then (i.e. had it been so able) would they (the sacrifices) not have ceased to be offered, because that the worshippers, having been once purged, should have had no more conscience of sins? But (on the contrary) in those sacrifices there is a remembrance made of sins year by year. The very annual repetition of the same expiatory rites on the Day of Atonement expressed in itself the idea, not of the putting away (ἀθέτησις, <a href="/hebrews/9-26.htm">Hebrews 9:26</a>) or oblivion, (<a href="/hebrews/10-17.htm">Hebrews 10:17</a>) of sin, but a recalling to mind of its continual presence. In the following verse the reason of this is found in the nature of the sacrifices themselves; it being impossible for the blood of irrational animals to cleanse moral guilt: it could only avail for the "passing over" (πάρεσιν, <a href="/romans/3-25.htm">Romans 3:25</a>) of sins, as symbolizing an effectual atonement to come in the spiritual sphere of things. <a href="/commentaries/hebrews/10-2.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>[If it could], ἐπεὶ (epei) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_1893.htm">Strong's 1893: </a> Of time: when, after; of cause: since, because; otherwise: else. From epi and ei; thereupon, i.e. Since. would not the offerings have ceased? ἐπαύσαντο (epausanto) Verb - Aorist Indicative Middle - 3rd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_3973.htm">Strong's 3973: </a> A primary verb; to stop, i.e. Restrain, quit, desist, come to an end. For διὰ (dia) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_1223.htm">Strong's 1223: </a> A primary preposition denoting the channel of an act; through. the τοὺς (tous) Article - Accusative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. worshipers λατρεύοντας (latreuontas) Verb - Present Participle Active - Accusative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_3000.htm">Strong's 3000: </a> To serve, especially God, perhaps simply: I worship. From latris; to minister, i.e. Render religious homage. would have been cleansed κεκαθαρισμένους (kekatharismenous) Verb - Perfect Participle Middle or Passive - Accusative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_2511.htm">Strong's 2511: </a> To cleanse, make clean, literally, ceremonially, or spiritually, according to context. From katharos; to cleanse. once [for all], ἅπαξ (hapax) Adverb <a href="/greek/strongs_530.htm">Strong's 530: </a> Once, once for all. Probably from hapas; one time. [and] would ἔχειν (echein) Verb - Present Infinitive Active <a href="/greek/strongs_2192.htm">Strong's 2192: </a> To have, hold, possess. Including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; a primary verb; to hold. no μηδεμίαν (mēdemian) Adjective - Accusative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3367.htm">Strong's 3367: </a> No one, none, nothing. longer ἔτι (eti) Adverb <a href="/greek/strongs_2089.htm">Strong's 2089: </a> (a) of time: still, yet, even now, (b) of degree: even, further, more, in addition. Perhaps akin to etos; 'yet, ' still. have felt the guilt συνείδησιν (syneidēsin) Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4893.htm">Strong's 4893: </a> The conscience, a persisting notion. From a prolonged form of suneido; co-perception, i.e. Moral consciousness. of [their] sins. ἁμαρτιῶν (hamartiōn) Noun - Genitive Feminine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_266.htm">Strong's 266: </a> From hamartano; a sin. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/hebrews/10-2.htm">Hebrews 10:2 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/hebrews/10-2.htm">Hebrews 10:2 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/hebrews/10-2.htm">Hebrews 10:2 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/hebrews/10-2.htm">Hebrews 10:2 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/hebrews/10-2.htm">Hebrews 10:2 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/hebrews/10-2.htm">Hebrews 10:2 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/hebrews/10-2.htm">Hebrews 10:2 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/hebrews/10-2.htm">Hebrews 10:2 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/hebrews/10-2.htm">Hebrews 10:2 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/hebrews/10-2.htm">Hebrews 10:2 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/hebrews/10-2.htm">NT Letters: Hebrews 10:2 Or else wouldn't they have ceased (Heb. He. Hb) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/hebrews/10-1.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Hebrews 10:1"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Hebrews 10:1" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/hebrews/10-3.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Hebrews 10:3"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Hebrews 10:3" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>