Hebrews 10:1 - Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

For the law, having a shadow, &c.— The for in this verse seems to connect the discourse here with the former part of the foregoing chapter; wherein the apostle speaks of the earthly or worldly sanctuary, or holy of holies under the law, as a figure, Hebrews 10:9. Nor need we confine the connection merely to what is there said; but refer it more generally to what he has spoken in any part of his epistle before concerning this matter; as particularly ch. Hebrews 8:5 Hebrews 9:23-24. The word εικονα, rendered image, seems from the tenor of the apostle's argument to be used for the essential, or substantial form of a thing; that is, for the very thing itself; as opposed to its σκια, shadow, or delineation. So it is paralleled to σωμα, the body, or substance, which the apostle elsewhere opposes in like manner to its σκια or shadow, Colossians 2:17. Accordingly the Syriac version explains the word εικονα by the substance; and Chrysostom by the truth or reality, as opposed to types or emblems. Cicero has used almost the same expression with our author; Nos veri juris germanaeque justitiae solidam et expressam effigiem nullam tenemus; umbra et imaginibus utimur. See De Offic. lib. 3: 100: 17. "We have no perfect and express image of true and native justice; but are obliged to make use of the shadow and picture of it." The apostle is going to shew the imperfection of the law, that it neither could by the frame of it, nor had it in its design, to bring men to perfection; that the good things it promised were but a shadow of the great realities promised by Christ; the veriest sketch or outlines, in comparison of the perfect and exact picture. Dr. Heylin observes here, upon the word image, that it does not signify what represents, but the original or model represented by the shadows. The apostle, says he, seems to refer to ch. Hebrews 8:5. The sacrifices offered on the day of atonement, being by far the most solemn of any of the expiatory kind among the Jews, are mentioned in this verse with the utmost propriety. Heylin renders the last words, Render those perfect who approach the altar. See Parkhurst on the word 'Εικων.