Hebrews 10 10

Hebrews 10:10 kjv

By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

Hebrews 10:10 nkjv

By that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

Hebrews 10:10 niv

And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

Hebrews 10:10 esv

And by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

Hebrews 10:10 nlt

For God's will was for us to be made holy by the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ, once for all time.

Hebrews 10 verses

Hebrews 10 10 Meaning

Hebrews 10:10 declares that believers are set apart and made holy for God's purposes through the singular, complete, and unrepeatable offering of Jesus Christ's physical body, which perfectly fulfilled God's sovereign will and design for salvation. This sanctification is a finished work, securing their standing before God.

Hebrews 10 10 Context

Hebrews chapter 10 is a pivotal point in the epistle's theological argument, directly building upon the preceding chapters' discussions concerning the superiority of Jesus Christ as High Priest and His sacrifice. The author highlights the profound inadequacy of the Old Covenant's sacrificial system, establishing in verses 1-4 that its repeated offerings were mere "shadows" that could never truly purify consciences or achieve perfection. Verses 5-9 then transition to God's true desire, quoting Psalm 40 to show Christ's willing obedience to perform God's ultimate will—to offer His own body instead of countless animal sacrifices. Therefore, verse 10 functions as a declarative summary, presenting the profound implication of Christ's perfect obedience and singular sacrifice: the definitive and permanent sanctification of believers. The original audience consisted of Jewish Christians facing temptation to revert to the familiar, yet insufficient, practices of temple worship. This verse serves as a crucial theological foundation, affirming the completed and absolute sufficiency of Christ's work, which nullifies the need for any further offerings or rituals.

Hebrews 10 10 Word analysis

• "By this will" (Greek: en hō thelēmati - ἐν ᾧ θελήματι): This phrase emphatically refers back to God's predetermined plan and sovereign desire as expressed through Christ's coming to fulfill Scripture and offer His body (Heb 10:5-9). Our sanctification is rooted in God's eternal purpose and Christ's obedient response.
• "we have been sanctified" (Greek: hēgiasmenoi esmen - ἡγιασμένοι ἐσμὲν): A perfect passive indicative verb, denoting a completed action with enduring results. This is a foundational, positional sanctification – believers are declared holy and set apart for God at the moment of faith in Christ. It means a definitive separation from sin's domain and consecration to God's service, establishing a new status before Him.
• "through the offering" (Greek: dia tēs prosphoras - διὰ τῆς προσφορᾶς): Indicates the means or instrument by which sanctification occurs. It is not by our efforts but solely through Christ's singular act of presentation, emphasizing the efficacy of His sacrifice. "Offering" directly points to the sacrificial presentation to God.
• "of the body": Specifically identifies the physical, human body of Jesus Christ. This contrasts starkly with the animal sacrifices of the Old Testament. Jesus' real humanity was essential for Him to truly represent humanity, partake in flesh and blood, and fully endure the penalty for sin.
• "of Jesus Christ": Clearly names the unique Person whose sacrifice alone holds such power and accomplishes perfect sanctification. His divine and human identity as Christ makes His offering sufficient and final.
• "once for all" (Greek: ephapax - ἐφάπαξ): This crucial adverb stresses the absolute singularity, finality, and unrepeatability of Christ's sacrifice. It highlights that the work is finished, complete, and eternally effective, sharply distinguishing it from the ceaseless, provisional sacrifices of the Old Covenant system. It signifies a decisive event with permanent results.

Words-group analysis:

• "By this will we have been sanctified": Highlights divine initiative. God's deliberate and sovereign will is the source and ultimate cause of our holiness. Our sanctification is a divine act, not a human achievement.
• "through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all": Emphasizes the unique efficacy and eternal nature of Christ's specific sacrifice. This grouping encapsulates the core message of the finished work of atonement, providing a secure and permanent basis for the believer's consecrated status before God, rendering any further sacrifices utterly redundant.

Hebrews 10 10 Bonus section

• Positional vs. Progressive Sanctification: While Hebrews 10:10 fundamentally describes our "positional sanctification" (what Christ did for us, securing our status), it forms the vital theological basis for "progressive sanctification" (how the Holy Spirit works in us daily as we grow in Christ-likeness). We are made holy so that we can live holy lives.
• Abolition of Sacrificial System: This verse underscores the complete and utter redundancy of the Levitical sacrificial system following Christ's sacrifice. His "once for all" offering signifies its permanent end; any continuation of such practices negates the sufficiency of Christ's work.
• Emphasis on Christ's Humanity: The explicit mention of "the body of Jesus Christ" highlights the essential role of Christ's true humanity. It was as a genuine human being, fully identifying with fallen humanity yet without sin, that He could offer a perfect, substitutionary sacrifice. This truth stands against various ancient heresies that denied Christ's real physicality.
• God's Active Involvement: The recurring emphasis on "God's will" throughout Hebrews 10 highlights that salvation and sanctification are fundamentally divine initiatives. It was God's active design and Christ's obedient fulfillment that brought about this perfect means of cleansing and reconciliation.

Hebrews 10 10 Commentary

Hebrews 10:10 provides a profound statement on Christian holiness, emphasizing that believers' sanctification is a completed and settled reality rooted in God's divine will and fully accomplished by Jesus Christ's singular, decisive act. Unlike the never-ending, inadequate sacrifices of the Old Covenant which merely pointed to sin, Christ's willing offering of His own physical body was the ultimate, perfect sacrifice. The phrase "once for all" (ephapax) is paramount, signifying the absolute finality and complete efficacy of His work. This means that positional sanctification—being set apart as holy to God—is a definitive declaration for every believer, achieved definitively at the moment of faith, due to Christ's perfect sacrifice, rather than through any continuous effort or repeated rituals on their part. This foundational truth assures believers of their permanent standing before God, liberating them from seeking cleansing through personal performance or repetitive acts. This objective, forensic sanctification by Christ then serves as the indispensable basis for progressive sanctification, empowering believers to grow in practical holiness in their daily lives, because they are already declared holy in Him.

• Practical usage example 1: When wrestling with guilt or feelings of unworthiness, believers can recall that their "sanctification" is a completed fact "once for all" through Christ, not dependent on their daily fluctuating performance.
• Practical usage example 2: This verse grounds Christian liberty, freeing believers from returning to works-based righteousness or rituals for salvation/cleansing, as Christ's work is sufficient.
• Practical usage example 3: It inspires active living out one's identity. Because we have been sanctified, we are called to live in a way that reflects that consecrated status.