Heb 8:10, 12 | Clarke | e4.org | Verse 10. This is the covenant ] This is the nature of that glorious system of religion which I shall publish among them after those days , i.e., in the times of the Gospel. I will put my laws into their mind ] I will influence them with the principles of law, truth, holiness, &c.; and their understandings shall he fully enlightened to comprehend them. And write them in their hearts ] All their affections, passions, and appetites, shall be purified and filled with holiness and love to God and man; so that they shall willingly obey, and feel that love is the fulfilling of the law : instead of being written on tables of stone , they shall be written on the fleshly tables of their hearts . I will be to them a God ] These are the two grand conditions by which the parties in this covenant or agreement are bound: 1. I will be your God . 2. Ye shall be my people . As the object of religious adoration to any man is that Being from whom he expects light, direction, defence, support, and happiness: so God, promising to be their God, promises in effect to give them all these great and good things. To be God's people implies that they should give God their whole hearts, serve him with all their light and strength, and have no other object of worship or dependence but himself. Any of these conditions broken, the covenant is rendered null and void, and the other party absolved from his engagement.

‏ Hebrews 8:10

Verse 10. This is the covenant] This is the nature of that glorious system of religion which I shall publish among them after those days, i.e., in the times of the Gospel.

I will put my laws into their mind] I will influence them with the principles of law, truth, holiness, &c.; and their understandings shall he fully enlightened to comprehend them.

And write them in their hearts] All their affections, passions, and appetites, shall be purified and filled with holiness and love to God and man; so that they shall willingly obey, and feel that love is the fulfilling of the law: instead of being written on tables of stone, they shall be written on the fleshly tables of their hearts.

I will be to them a God] These are the two grand conditions by which the parties in this covenant or agreement are bound: 1. I will be your God. 2. Ye shall be my people. As the object of religious adoration to any man is that Being from whom he expects light, direction, defence, support, and happiness: so God, promising to be their God, promises in effect to give them all these great and good things. To be God's people implies that they should give God their whole hearts, serve him with all their light and strength, and have no other object of worship or dependence but himself. Any of these conditions broken, the covenant is rendered null and void, and the other party absolved from his engagement.

‏ Hebrews 8:12

Verse 12. I will be merciful to their unrighteousness] In order to be their God, as mentioned under the preceding verse, it is requisite that their iniquity should be pardoned; this is provided for by the immolation of Jesus Christ as the covenant sacrifice. By his blood, redemption has been purchased, and all who with penitent hearts believe on the Lord Jesus receive remission of sins, and God remembers their iniquities no more against them so as to punish them on that account. All spiritual evil against the nature and law of God is represented here under the following terms:-

1. Unrighteousness, αδικια, injustice or wrong. This is against God, his neighbour, and himself.

2. Sin, αμαρτια, deviation from the Divine law; MISSING THE MARK; aiming at happiness but never attaining it, because sought out of God, and in the breach of his laws.

3. Iniquity, ανομια, lawlessness, not having, knowing, or acknowledging, a law; having no law written in their hearts, and restrained by none in the conduct of their lives. All these are to be removed by God's mercy; and this is to be understood of his mercy in Christ Jesus.