John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 2. For then would they not have ceased to be offered , etc..] The Complutensian edition, and the Syriac and Vulgate Latin versions, leave out the word not; and the sense requires it should be omitted, for the meaning is, that if perfection had been by the legal sacrifices, they would have ceased to have been offered; for if the former ones had made perfect, there would have been no need of others, or of the repetition of the same; but because they did not make perfect, therefore they were yearly renewed; unless the words are read with an interrogation, as they are in the Arabic version, for then would they not have ceased to be offered? yes, they would; they are indeed ceased now, but this is owing to Christ and his sacrifice, and not to the efficacy of these sacrifices; for yearly sacrifices were offered for former sins, as well as for fresh ones, as appears from the following verse. Because the worshippers, once purged, would have had no more conscience of sins ; there are external and internal worshippers; the latter are such who worship God in Spirit and in truth: but here ceremonial worshippers are meant, who, if they had been really purged from sin by legal sacrifices, and purifications, would have had no more conscience of sins, and so have had no need to have repeated them; as such spiritual worshippers, who are once purged from sin by the blood and sacrifice of Christ; not that they have no sin, or no sense of sin, or that their consciences are seared, or that they never accuse for sin, or that they are to make no confession and acknowledgment of sin; but that they are discharged from the guilt of sin, and are not liable to condemnation for it; and through the application of the blood of Christ to them, have peace with God, and joy in the Holy Ghost.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-10 - The apostle having shown that the tabernacle, and ordinances of the covenant of Sinai, were only emblems and types of the gospel, conclude that the sacrifices the high priests offered continually, could no make the worshippers perfect, with respect to pardon, and the purifyin of their consciences. But when "God manifested in the flesh," becam the sacrifice, and his death upon the accursed tree the ransom, the the Sufferer being of infinite worth, his free-will sufferings were of infinite value. The atoning sacrifice must be one capable of consenting, and must of his own will place himself in the sinner' stead: Christ did so. The fountain of all that Christ has done for his people, is the sovereign will and grace of God. The righteousnes brought in, and the sacrifice once offered by Christ, are of eterna power, and his salvation shall never be done away. They are of power to make all the comers thereunto perfect; they derive from the atonin blood, strength and motives for obedience, and inward comfort.
Greek Textus Receptus
επει 1893 CONJ ουκ 3756 PRT-N αν 302 PRT επαυσαντο 3973 5668 V-AMI-3P προσφερομεναι 4374 5746 V-PPP-NPF δια 1223 PREP το 3588 T-ASN μηδεμιαν 3367 A-ASF εχειν 2192 5721 V-PAN ετι 2089 ADV συνειδησιν 4893 N-ASF αμαρτιων 266 N-GPF τους 3588 T-APM λατρευοντας 3000 5723 V-PAP-APM απαξ 530 ADV κεκαθαρμενους 2508 5772 V-RPP-APM
Vincent's NT Word Studies
2. To be offered (prosferomenai). The present participle brings out more forcibly the continuous repetition: "Ceased being offered."
