Hebrews 10:18

Now where remission of these [is, there is] no more offering for sin.

Now {G1161} where {G3699} remission {G859} of these {G5130} is, there is no more {G3765} offering {G4376} for {G4012} sin {G266}.

Now where there is forgiveness for these, an offering for sins is no longer needed.

And where these have been forgiven, an offering for sin is no longer needed.

Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin.

Hebrews 10:18 delivers a profound theological conclusion, summarizing the ultimate efficacy of Christ's sacrifice and the nature of the New Covenant.

Context

This verse serves as the powerful culmination of a detailed argument presented by the author of Hebrews, contrasting the temporary and insufficient sacrifices under the Old Covenant with the perfect, once-for-all sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Chapters 9 and 10 emphasize that the Old Testament sacrificial system, though divinely ordained, could only cover sins annually and served as a shadow of the true atonement to come (Hebrews 10:1). The author explains that animal blood could not truly take away sins (Hebrews 10:4). In contrast, Christ's singular offering on the cross (Hebrews 9:26) perfectly and permanently dealt with the problem of sin, inaugurating a new covenant where God remembers sins no more (Hebrews 10:16-17, quoting Jeremiah 31:33-34). Therefore, if sins are truly forgiven and forgotten, there is no longer any need for further atonement.

Key Themes

  • The Finality of Christ's Sacrifice: The core message is that Jesus' death on the cross was a complete and definitive act of atonement. It was not a temporary covering but a permanent eradication of the guilt and penalty of sin for those who believe. This "no more offering" signifies the ultimate perfection achieved through His work (Hebrews 10:14).
  • Complete Remission of Sins: The term "remission" implies a full pardon, cancellation, or release from the debt of sin. If sins are truly remitted, their power to condemn is broken, and there is no outstanding debt requiring further payment or sacrifice. This speaks to the comprehensive nature of God's forgiveness through Christ's blood.
  • Cessation of the Old Covenant System: This verse directly declares the obsolescence of the elaborate Jewish sacrificial system. Once forgiveness is fully secured through Christ, the continuous cycle of animal offerings, priests, and rituals becomes unnecessary. The temple sacrifices, which pointed to Christ, have fulfilled their purpose.

Linguistic Insights

The key Greek word here is aphesis (ἄφεσις), translated as "remission." It literally means "sending away," "release," or "pardon." This term is consistently used in the New Testament to describe the complete forgiveness of sins (e.g., Luke 24:47, Acts 2:38). It emphasizes that sins are not merely covered or postponed, but entirely removed from God's remembrance and reckoning, making any further "offering for sin" redundant.

Practical Application

  • Assurance of Salvation: This verse offers immense comfort and assurance for believers. Because Christ's sacrifice was perfect and final, those who trust in Him can have full confidence in their forgiveness and standing before God. There is no need for self-effort, repeated penance, or fear that past sins are not fully dealt with.
  • Freedom from Guilt: Understanding the complete "remission of sins" frees believers from the burden of guilt and shame. If God remembers our sins no more, we are called to live in the freedom of His grace, not perpetually dwelling on past failures.
  • Focus on Worship and Service: Since the need for sin offerings has ceased, the focus shifts from appeasing God to worshiping Him in spirit and truth, offering ourselves as living sacrifices (Romans 12:1) in gratitude for His finished work.
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Hebrews 10:2

    For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins.

  • Hebrews 10:14

    For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.

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