“But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year.”
But in these sacrifices there is a reminder (anamnēsis) of sins year after year — rather than removing sin, the sacrifices annually remind worshipers of their sinfulness. The memorial function (reminiscent of 9:7) underscores the law's paradox: it manifests need without meeting it.
Church Fathers on Hebrews 10:3
You see again the superabundance [of his proofs]? This sacrifice (he says) is one; whereas the others were many: therefore they had no strength, because they were many. For, tell me, what need of many, if one had been sufficient? So that their being many, and offered “continually,” proves that they [the worshipers] were never made clean. For as a medicine, when it is powerful and productive of health, and able to remove the disease entirely, effects all after one application;…
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
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