Pertaining to the Conscience

‘Once every year’ – On the great day of atonement (Lev. 16:14; 23:27). This going only once a year into the holy of holies testified that the way into the holiest of heaven had not been made (9:8). Now it has been made by the death of Christ (10:19-23).

‘Figure’ [Greek: parabole] is translated as “figure,” but in the gospels it is always translated “parable,” except in Mark 4:30 and Luke 4:22. A shadow of the realities in Christ (8:5; 10:1). A program of types for the time then present – the dispensation of law in which both gifts sacrifices were offered, none of which could make men perfect as to the conscience (9:9; 10:1-18).

‘Conscience’ [Greek: suneidesis] is the joint knowledge of God and man; knowledge of our acts, state, or character as to right and wrong; the faculty, power, or principle which decides the lawfulness of our actions and affections, and approves or condemns them; the moral faculty or sense; consciousness of actions; the eye, judge, and guide of the inner man. Used 32 times. The word “conscience” is not found in the Old Testament. There are twelve kinds of conscience: Awakened (John 8:9); Seared (1Tim. 4:2); Purged (Heb. 9:9, 14; 10:2); Pure (Acts 24:16; 1Tim. 3:9; 2Tim. 1:3); Weak (1Cor. 8:7, 12, 13); Defiled (Tit. 1:15); Witnessing (Rom. 2:12-15; 9:1; 2Cor. 1:12); Good (Acts 23:1; 1Tim. 1:5, 19; 1Pet. 2:19; 3:16, 21; Heb. 13:18); Convicting or healthy (Matt. 27:3); Satisfied (1Cor. 10:25-29); Evil (Heb. 10:22); Perfect (Heb. 9:9).