Albert Barnes Commentary Hebrews 10:14

"For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified." — Hebrews 10:14 (ASV)

For by one offering. By offering himself once on the cross. The Jewish priest offered his sacrifices often, and still they did not prove effective to put away sin; the Savior made one sacrifice, and it was sufficient for the sins of the world.

He has perfected for ever, He has laid the foundation of the eternal perfection. The offering is of such a character that it secures their final freedom from sin and will make them forever holy. It cannot mean that those for whom he died are made perfectly holy at once, for that is not true. Instead, the idea is that the offering was complete, did not need to be repeated, and was of such a nature as to entirely remove the penalty due to sin and to lay the foundation for their final, eternal holiness. The offerings made under the Jewish law were so defective that there was a necessity for repeating them every day; the offering made by the Savior was so perfect that it did not need to be repeated, and it secured the complete and final salvation of those who avail themselves of it.

Them that are sanctified. Those who are made holy by that offering. It does not mean that they are yet wholly sanctified, but that they have been brought under the influence of that gospel which sanctifies and saves (Hebrews 2:11; Hebrews 9:13).

The doctrine taught in this verse is that all those who are, in any measure, sanctified will be perfected forever. It is not a temporary work which has been begun in their souls, but one which is designed to be carried forward to perfection. In the atonement made by the Redeemer, the foundation is laid for their eternal perfection, and it was with reference to that that it was offered.

Regarding this work and its consequences, we may remark that:

1. Perfection in its nature, being of such a character that it does not need to be repeated;
2. There is perfection in regard to the pardon of sin—all past sins being forgiven to those who embrace it, and being forever forgiven; and
3. There is to be absolute perfection for them forever. They will be made perfect at some future period, and when that takes place, it will be to continue forever and ever.