John Calvin Commentary Hebrews 10:22

"let us draw near with a true heart in fulness of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience: and having our body washed with pure water," — Hebrews 10:22 (ASV)

Let us draw near with a true heart, etc. As He shows that in Christ and His sacrifice there is nothing but what is spiritual or heavenly, so He desires that what we bring on our part should correspond. The Jews formerly cleansed themselves by various washings to prepare themselves for the service of God.

It is no wonder that the rites for cleansing were carnal, since the worship of God itself, involved in shadows, still in a way partook of what was carnal. For the priest, being a mortal, was chosen from among sinners to perform sacred things for a time. He was, indeed, adorned with precious vestments, but they were still of this world, so that he might stand in the presence of God. He only came near the work of the covenant; and to sanctify his entrance, he borrowed for a sacrifice a brute animal either from the herd or the flock.

But in Christ all these things are far superior. He Himself is not only pure and innocent but is also the fountain of all holiness and righteousness, and was constituted a priest by a heavenly oracle, not for the short period of a mortal life, but perpetually. To sanction His appointment, an oath was interposed. He came forth, adorned with all the gifts of the Holy Spirit in the highest perfection. He propitiated God by His own blood and reconciled God to men; He ascended above all the heavens to appear before God as our Mediator.

Now, on our part, nothing is to be brought but what corresponds with all this, as there ought to be a mutual agreement or concord between the priest and the people. Away then with all the external washings of the flesh, and let the whole apparatus of ceremonies cease.

For the Apostle sets a true heart, and the certainty of faith, and a cleansing from all vices, in opposition to these external rites. And so we learn what the frame of our minds must be so that we may enjoy the benefits conferred by Christ; for there is no coming to Him without an upright or a true heart, a sure faith, and a pure conscience.

Now, a true or sincere heart is opposed to a heart that is hypocritical and deceitful. By the term full assurance, πληροφορία, the Apostle points out the nature of faith, and at the same time reminds us, that the grace of Christ cannot be received except by those who possess a fixed and unhesitating conviction.

The sprinkling of the heart from an evil conscience takes place either when we are, by obtaining pardon, deemed pure before God, or when the heart, cleansed from all corrupt affections, is not stimulated by the goads of the flesh. I am disposed to include both these things.

What follows, our bodies washed with pure water, is generally understood to refer to baptism; but it seems to me more probable that the Apostle alludes to the ancient ceremonies of the Law. And so by “water” he designates the Spirit of God, according to what is said by Ezekiel, I will sprinkle clean water upon you (Ezekiel 36:25).

The meaning is that we are made partakers of Christ if we come to Him, sanctified in body and soul. And yet this sanctification does not consist in a visible display of ceremonies, but it is from faith, a pure conscience, and that cleanness of soul and body which flows from and is effected by the Spirit of God.

So Paul exhorts the faithful to cleanse themselves from all filthiness of flesh and spirit, since they had been adopted by God as His children (2 Corinthians 7:1).