Let’s read through the book of Hebrews one verse at a time in 2023. Every day explore a single verse and its cross references. AI-generated text draws the passages together. RSS feed.
For on the one hand, a former commandment is set aside because of its weakness and uselessness
The cross references for Hebrews 7:18 relate to the idea of the law being weak and useless. They emphasize the idea of a new covenant being introduced that is better than the old law, and that is able to bring people closer to God. They also emphasize the idea of the law being unable to provide true perfection, but that a new covenant can provide a better hope. The cross references also emphasize the idea of the law being given to the people through the Levitical priesthood, and that this priesthood must change in order for the law to also change.
| Passage | How It’s Related (AI-Generated) |
|---|---|
| Acts 13:39: and by him everyone who believes is freed from everything from which you could not be freed by the law of Moses. | Both passages discuss how Jesus has freed us from the law of Moses. Hebrews 7:18 explains that the law of Moses was weak and useless and had to be set aside. Acts 13:39 explains that Jesus has freed us from the law of Moses, which was not possible before. Through Jesus' death and resurrection, we are able to be freed from the law of Moses and receive the gift of salvation. |
| Romans 8:3: For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, | Both passages discuss the law's inability to save us from sin. Hebrews 7:18 states that the former commandment is set aside because of its weakness and uselessness, while Romans 8:3 explains that God had to intervene because the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do it. God sent his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and by doing so, he condemned sin in the flesh. |
| Galatians 4:9: But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how can you turn back again to the weak and worthless elementary principles of the world, whose slaves you want to be once more? | Both passages emphasize the importance of not returning to the weak and worthless elementary principles of the world. Hebrews 7:18 speaks of a former commandment which is set aside because of its weakness and uselessness. Galatians 4:9 speaks of the need to not turn back to these same principles, as believers have come to know God and should not be enslaved by them. |
| Hebrews 7:11-12: Now if perfection had been attainable through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law), what further need would there have been for another priest to arise after the order of Melchizedek, rather than one named after the order of Aaron? For when there is a change in the priesthood, there is necessarily a change in the law as well. | Both passages in Hebrews 7 discuss the change of the law and the priesthood due to their weaknesses and uselessness. In verse 18, the author explains that a former commandment is set aside because of its flaws, while in verses 11-12, the author explains that the change of the priesthood and law was necessary due to the inability of the Levitical priesthood to bring perfection. The change in the law and priesthood is necessary for a better understanding and implementation of God's will. |
| 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. | Both passages from Hebrews 7 discuss the law and its relationship to our relationship with God. The first passage states that the former commandment is set aside because of its weaknesses and uselessness. The second passage explains that the law made nothing perfect, but a better hope is introduced which allows us to draw near to God. |
| Hebrews 8:7-13: For if that first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no occasion to look for a second. For he finds fault with them when he says: “Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will establish a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah, not like the covenant that I made with their fathers on the day when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt. For they did not continue in my covenant, and so I showed no concern for them, declares the Lord. For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my laws into their minds, and write them on their hearts, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. And they shall not teach, each one his neighbor and each one his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest. | Both passages discuss the covenant between God and His people. In Hebrews 7:18, it is noted that the former commandment was set aside due to its weakness and uselessness. In Hebrews 8:7-13, it is explained that this is because the first covenant was not faultless, and so a new covenant was established. This new covenant promises that God will put His laws into the minds and hearts of His people, and that they will all know Him. |
Heavenly Father, we thank You for Your perfect law that sets us free from the bondage of sin. We thank You for sending Your Son Jesus to be the perfect sacrifice for our sins and for setting us free from the law's condemnation. Help us to live in the freedom You have given us and to always remember the hope we have in You.
We ask that You would give us the strength to live according to Your will and to turn away from the weak and worthless principles of this world. Help us to draw near to You and to always seek to know You more.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
This reading plan reads through a single verse each day, six days a week, paired with the most-popular cross references for the verse. AI-generated (and human-reviewed) text provides an opening thought and concluding prayer along with an explanation for how each cross reference relates to the verse. In 2023, this reading plan works through Hebrews one verse at a time. Every seventh day is a catchup day. Want more info? Try this blog post.
Unless otherwise indicated, all content is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. Copyright ©2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Contact me: openbibleinfo (at) gmail.com.