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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.comVincent Word Studies - Hebrews 10:20 - 10:20
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By a new and living way which he hath consecrated for us (ἣν ἐνεκαίνισεν ἡμῖν ὁδὸν πρόσφατον καὶ ζῶσαν)
The A.V. is wrong. Ἣν which is to be construed with εἴσοδον entrance. Thus: “having boldness for the entrance which he has inaugurated (or opened) for us - a way new and living.” For ἐνεκαίνισεν see on Heb 9:18. The way must be opened, for every other way is closed. Ἐνκαινίζειν in lxx of the inauguration of a house, kingdom, temple, altar. See Deu 20:5; 1Sa 11:14; 1Ki 8:63; 2Ch 15:8. Πρόσφατον new, N.T.o. In lxx, see Num 6:3; Deu 32:17; Psa 80:9; Ecc 1:9. The derivation appears to be πρὸς near to, and φατός slain (from πέμφαμαι, the perfect of φένειν to kill). According to this the original sense would be newly-slain; and the word was used of one so recently dead as to retain the appearance of life: also, generally, of things which have not lost their character or appearance by the lapse of time; of fishes, fruits, oil, etc., which are fresh; of anger which has not had time to cool. Later the meaning was weakened into new. Note that the contrast is not between a new and an old way, but between a new way and no way. So long as the old division of the tabernacle existed, the way into the holiest was not opened, Heb 9:8. Ζῶσαν living. A living way seems a strange expression, but comp. Peter's living stones, 1Pe 2:5. Christ styles himself both way and life. The bold figure answers to the fact. The new way is through a life to life.
Through the veil (διὰ τοῦ καταπετάσματος)
The veil of the holy of holies is rent. Christ's work does not stop short of the believer's complete access to God himself.
That is to say his flesh (τοῦτ' ἔστιν τῆς σαρκὸς αὐτοῦ)
Const. with veil: the veil which consisted in his flesh. His flesh was the state through which he had to pass before he entered heaven for us. See Heb 2:9-18; Heb 5:7-9; Heb 10:5. When he put off that state, the veil of the temple was rent. He passed through humanity to glory as the forerunner of his people, Heb 6:20.