Hebrews 7:19
(for the law made nothing perfect); but on the other hand, a better hope is introduced, through which we draw near to God.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The verse highlights that the law couldn't perfect anything or anyone; it was merely a precursor. The crucial, non-obvious point is that the "bringing in of a better hope" isn't just an improvement, but a radical new way of drawing near to God, implying an intimacy and access previously impossible. This better hope, established by Christ's priesthood, is the true perfection, allowing us to approach God directly, not from a distance.
The author is explaining that the Old Covenant law, with its Levitical priesthood, couldn't actually bring people into a perfect relationship with God. This verse highlights that while the law was unable to perfect anything, it paved the way for a "better hope" found in Jesus' priesthood. This new hope, established through Christ, is what truly allows believers to draw near to God.
Ever felt like you're doing all the right things, but still falling short? The ancient law faced a similar struggle.
The Apostle Paul, in Hebrews 7:19, points out a crucial limitation of the Old Testament Law: 'the law made nothing perfect.' This doesn't mean the Law was bad or useless. Rather, it highlights that the ceremonial and sacrificial system under the Law, while divinely given, couldn't achieve ultimate perfection. It couldn't fully reconcile humanity to God, permanently cleanse sin, or bring people into intimate fellowship with Him. The Law served as a shadow, a pointer towards something greater, but it lacked the inherent power to complete the work needed for salvation and perfect holiness. It could reveal sin and guide people, but it couldn't eradicate its power or usher in a perfect standing before God.
If the Law couldn't perfect us, what can? Discover the incredible 'better hope' introduced by the Gospel.
Following the statement about the Law's imperfection, Hebrews 7:19 immediately pivots to introduce 'a better hope.' This isn't just a slightly improved expectation; it's a fundamentally different reality brought about by the coming of Jesus Christ and the new covenant. The 'better hope' is rooted in Christ's perfect sacrifice and His ongoing intercession as our High Priest. Its ultimate power lies in what it enables: 'through which we draw near to God.' Unlike the Law, which maintained a distance between God and His people due to sin, this better hope provides direct, unhindered access. It means we can approach a holy God not with fear, but with boldness and confidence, knowing our sins are atoned for and we are accepted in Christ.
Understand the original words
teleioo · Greek Verb
The state of being complete, mature, or having attained the intended goal. In this context, it refers to the spiritual maturation and direct access to God that the Law could not provide.
elpis · Greek Noun
A confident expectation and longing for what God has promised. It is rooted in the work of Christ and provides the basis for the believer's secure relationship with God.
eggizo · Greek Verb
The privilege of entering into God's presence. Through Christ, believers have intimate access to the Father, which was previously restricted under the Law.
The Mosaic Law, while divinely given, was a temporary system of rituals and sacrifices that pointed forward. It couldn't achieve true perfection or grant intimate access to God. Hebrews 7:19 emphasizes that Christ's eternal priesthood and the new covenant it inaugurates fulfill what the Law could not, introducing a 'better hope' that allows believers to draw near to God with confidence.
c. 1446 BC
Mosaic Law Given at Sinai
God gives the Law to Moses, establishing the Levitical priesthood and a system of sacrifices and rituals intended to mediate between God and Israel. This Law, however, could not bring ultimate perfection or full reconciliation.
c. 1000 BC
Davidic Covenant and Psalms
King David's reign marks a high point in Israel's history, and many Psalms are attributed to him. Psalm 110, referenced in Hebrews, speaks of a priesthood after the order of Melchizedek, foreshadowing a future, eternal priesthood.
c. 586 BC
Babylonian Exile Begins
The destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple by the Babylonians signifies a breaking of the covenant and a profound spiritual crisis for the people of Israel, highlighting the limitations of the existing sacrificial system.
c. 2nd Century BC - 1st Century BC
Period of the Second Temple
This passage echoes the sentiment that the law, in its weakness through the flesh, could not achieve what God desired, making way for God to act through His Son.
Galatians 3:24Here, the law is described as a 'guardian until Christ came,' highlighting its temporary and preparatory role, rather than its ability to bring ultimate perfection or righteousness.
Hebrews 10:1This verse directly states that the law, with its repeated sacrifices, could never make 'those who approach perfect,' reinforcing the idea that it could not bring true spiritual completion.
John 1:17This verse contrasts the Law given through Moses with grace and truth that came through Jesus Christ, aligning with Hebrews' emphasis on a 'better hope' that surpasses the Law's limitations.
Hebrews 10:19-22These verses explain how Christ's sacrifice opens a new and living way for believers to draw near to God with full assurance, directly illustrating the 'better hope' that enables access to God.
vincentHebrews 7:19: "For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God."
For the law made nothing perfect (οὐδὲν γὰρ ἐτελείωσεν ὁ νόμος)Parenthetical. The A.V. overlooks the parenthesis, ignores the connection of bringing in with disannulling, translates δὲ but instead of and, and supplies did; thus making an opposition between the law which made nothing perfect and the bringing in of a better hope, which did make something perfect.…
barnesHebrews 7:19: "For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God."
For the law made nothing perfect - The Levitical, ceremonial law. It did not produce a perfect state; it did not do what was desirable to be done for a sinner; see the note on Hebrews 7:11 . That Law, as such, did not reconcile man to God; it did not make an atonement: it did not put away guilt; in one word, "it did not restore things to the condition in which they wer…
The verse highlights that the law couldn't perfect anything or anyone; it was merely a precursor. The crucial, non-obvious point is that the "bringing in of a better hope" isn't just an improvement, but a radical new way of drawing near to God, implying an intimacy and access previously impossible. This better hope, established by Christ's priesthood, is the true perfection, allowing us to approach God directly, not from a distance.
The author is explaining that the Old Covenant law, with its Levitical priesthood, couldn't actually bring people into a perfect relationship with God. This verse highlights that while the law was unable to perfect anything, it paved the way for a "better hope" found in Jesus' priesthood. This new hope, established through Christ, is what truly allows believers to draw near to God.
The author is explaining that the Old Covenant law, with its Levitical priesthood, couldn't actually bring people into a perfect relationship with God. This verse highlights that while the law was unable to perfect anything, it paved the way for a "better hope" found in Jesus' priesthood. This new hope, established through Christ, is what truly allows believers to draw near to God.
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Following their return from exile, the Jewish people rebuild the Temple and reinstate the Levitical priesthood. However, the nation experiences varying degrees of political and religious freedom under foreign rule.
c. AD 30-33— this verse
Crucifixion and Resurrection of Jesus
Jesus Christ, the Messiah, is crucified and resurrected, fulfilling the prophecies and establishing a new covenant. His sacrifice is presented as the perfect atonement that the Law could only foreshadow.
c. AD 60s
Writing of the Epistle to the Hebrews
The author of Hebrews writes to Jewish Christians facing persecution or temptation to revert to Mosaic Law observance. The letter argues for the supremacy of Christ's priesthood and new covenant over the old.
"(for the law made nothing perfect); but on the other hand, a better hope is introduced, through which we draw near to God." — The verse highlights that the law couldn't perfect anything or anyone; it was merely a precursor. The crucial, non-obvious point is that the "bringing in of a better hope" isn't just an improvement,…
