Overview of Hebrews 10:19–35

The exhortation that flows from the superiority of Jesus’ priestly ministry comes first in a positive note of encouragement, then in a negative note of warning, and finally in a positive reassurance based on the hearers’ past record of faith. The term “confidence” opens and closes the exhortation (vv. 19, 35), marking its boundaries (serving as an inclusio) and reinforcing its theme. Because Jesus’ blood has cleansed our consciences, we may enter God’s heavenly sanctuary with confidence, hold fast to our Christian confession, and support each other in persevering hope (vv. 19–25). On the other hand, to abandon fellowship with Christ, seeking assurance in obsolete old covenant institutions, is to incur severe judgment, from which the law’s sacrifices offer no escape (vv. 26–31). Yet, though sobered by this warning, hearers should nevertheless recall their past record of steadfast faith amid severe sufferings, for this evidence of God’s grace will fortify their confidence (vv. 32–35).