Hebrews 9:15-17
Therefore he is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance, since a death has occurred that redeems them from the transgressions committed under the first covenant. For where a will is involved, the death of the one who made it must be established. For a will takes effect only at death, since it is not in force as long as the one who made it is alive.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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This verse highlights that Christ's death wasn't just an unfortunate event, but a deliberate act for redemption from transgressions committed under the first covenant. This means His sacrifice retroactively dealt with past sins, making the promised eternal inheritance accessible not only to those alive at His coming but also to believers from earlier times.
The author has just described the inadequacy of the old covenant's sacrifices, which could only purify the flesh but not truly cleanse the conscience. Now, the text pivots to explain how Christ, through his superior sacrifice, perfectly addresses these limitations. This verse highlights Christ's role as the mediator of a new covenant, made effective by his death, which redeems past transgressions and secures an eternal inheritance for those called by God.
How can a single death redeem sins committed under a previous covenant? This verse explains the unique power of Christ's sacrifice.
This verse reveals that Christ's death wasn't just a sacrifice; it was a redemption. The word used here implies a buying back, a release from bondage.
The Insufficiency of the First Covenant
The first covenant, established under Moses, had many sacrifices. These were meant to deal with transgressions. However, the text highlights their limitation: they could only offer a cleansing for the flesh, not a full redemption for the spirit. The transgressions under the first covenant, meaning those committed while that system was in place, were not fully paid for by its sacrifices.
Christ's Death: The Ultimate Payment
Christ's death is presented as the means by which redemption is accomplished. His sacrifice is a direct payment that redeems those transgressions. This means His death has a retroactive power, covering sins committed even before He physically appeared on earth, as long as they were covered by faith in God's promises.
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The word 'testament' is used, but the deeper meaning points to a covenant. What's the difference, and why does it matter for inheritance?
The Greek word translated as 'testament' here (diatheke) actually carries a dual meaning: it can refer to a 'will' or a 'covenant.' While Christ's death certainly functions like a will, bequeathing an inheritance, its primary significance in this context is as a covenant.
A Covenant Requires a Mediator
A covenant is a solemn agreement between parties. In this case, it's an agreement between God and humanity. Because of human sin, a mediator was needed to bridge the gap and ensure the terms were met. Christ, as the Mediator, perfectly fulfills this role.
The Inheritance: A Promised Gift
This new covenant, established by Christ's death, has a specific purpose: so that those 'who are called' (those God invites and empowers to come to Him) might receive the 'promised eternal inheritance.' This inheritance isn't something earned through works but is a gift received by faith, made possible because the covenant was ratified by Christ's death and resurrection.
Understand the original words
mesitēs · Greek Noun
An authorized go-between or intercessor who brings two parties together. Christ acts as the mediator of the New Covenant, securing the relationship between God and humanity through his sacrifice.
diathēkē kainē · Greek Noun/Adjective phrase
The new relationship or testament established by God with his people through Christ’s blood, replacing the old, temporary system of the Law. It is characterized by internal transformation and full forgiveness.
klēronomia · Greek Noun
The spiritual and eternal blessings promised by God to his children. It signifies the secure, lasting possession of God’s kingdom and life, guaranteed by Christ's death.
parabasis · Greek Noun
An act of rebellion against divine law or moral failure. It describes the state of missing the mark and needing the atonement provided by Christ.
diathēkē · Greek Noun
A legal document or testament that outlines the distribution of an estate upon the death of the testator. In this context, it carries the dual meaning of a testament and the covenant of God, both requiring death to become effective.
thanatos · Greek Noun
The cessation of physical life. In a theological sense, it is the fundamental requirement for the ratification of a testament and the atonement for sin.
This verse highlights the transition from the Old Covenant, mediated by animal sacrifices and limited in its ability to fully atone for sins, to the New Covenant established by Christ's death, which provides a perfect and eternal redemption.
c. 1446 BC
Giving of the Law at Sinai
God establishes the first covenant with Israel, giving them the Law and instituting the sacrificial system mediated by Aaron.
c. 1446 BC - c. AD 30
The First Covenant Era
Israel lives under the Mosaic covenant, with sacrifices offered to atone for sins committed under its provisions. These sacrifices point forward to a greater atonement.
c. AD 27-30— this verse
Jesus' Ministry and Sacrifice
Jesus lives and ministers, culminating in his sacrificial death on the cross, which inaugurates the new covenant.
c. AD 30 onwards
The New Covenant Era
The new covenant, mediated by Christ's death and resurrection, is proclaimed, offering forgiveness and eternal inheritance to all who believe.
This passage directly connects Christ's death on the cross to redeeming us from the curse of the law and receiving the promise of the Spirit, mirroring Hebrews 9:15's theme of redemption from past transgressions through Christ's death for an inheritance.
Romans 3:23-26It explains how God's righteousness is revealed through Jesus' atoning sacrifice, which provides redemption for sins committed previously under the Law, echoing the concept of Christ's death as a redemption for past transgressions in Hebrews 9:15.
Jeremiah 31:31-34This prophecy lays the groundwork for the New Covenant by promising forgiveness of sins and an internal transformation, which is then fulfilled through Christ's mediation and atoning death as described in Hebrews 9:15.
Hebrews 8:6-12This section of Hebrews directly contrasts the Old and New Covenants, emphasizing that the New Covenant is established on better promises and mediated by Christ, aligning perfectly with the context of Hebrews 9:15.
1 Peter 1:18-19This passage highlights that believers were redeemed from their futile way of life not with perishable things, but with the precious blood of Christ, the lamb without blemish, reinforcing the idea of redemption from past transgressions through Christ's sacrifice for an eternal inheritance.
ellicottHebrews 9:15: "And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance."
(15) And for this cause. —Or, And because of this. This verse looks back to the great truth of Hebrews 9:11-12 , which the last two verses have served to confirm and place in bolder relief. “Christ through His own blood entered once for all into the…
meyerHebrews 9:15: "And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance."
Hebrews 9:15 . Καὶ διὰ τοῦτο διαθήκης καινῆς μεσίτης ἐστίν ] and just for this cause is He the Mediator of a New Covenant . By means of καί , Hebrews 9:15 attaches itself closely to the preceding context, and διὰ τοῦτο points back to the main though…
This verse highlights that Christ's death wasn't just an unfortunate event, but a deliberate act for redemption from transgressions committed under the first covenant. This means His sacrifice retroactively dealt with past sins, making the promised eternal inheritance accessible not only to those alive at His coming but also to believers from earlier times.
The author has just described the inadequacy of the old covenant's sacrifices, which could only purify the flesh but not truly cleanse the conscience. Now, the text pivots to explain how Christ, through his superior sacrifice, perfectly addresses these limitations. This verse highlights Christ's role as the mediator of a new covenant, made effective by his death, which redeems past transgressions and secures an eternal inheritance for those called by God.
The author has just described the inadequacy of the old covenant's sacrifices, which could only purify the flesh but not truly cleanse the conscience. Now, the text pivots to explain how Christ, through his superior sacrifice, perfectly addresses these limitations. This verse highlights Christ's role as the mediator of a new covenant, made effective by his death, which redeems past transgressions and secures an eternal inheritance for those called by God.
"Therefore he is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance, since a death has occurred that redeems them from the transgressions committed under the first covenant. For where a…" — This verse highlights that Christ's death wasn't just an unfortunate event, but a deliberate act for redemption from transgressions committed under the first covenant. This means His sacrifice retr…
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