Hebrews 9 15

Hebrews 9:15 kjv

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 nkjv

And for this reason He is the Mediator of the new covenant, by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant, that those who are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.

Hebrews 9:15 niv

For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance?now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant.

Hebrews 9:15 esv

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.

Hebrews 9:15 nlt

That is why he is the one who mediates a new covenant between God and people, so that all who are called can receive the eternal inheritance God has promised them. For Christ died to set them free from the penalty of the sins they had committed under that first covenant.

Hebrews 9 verses

Hebrews 9 15 Meaning

Hebrews 9:15 declares Jesus Christ as the mediator of a new covenant, a divine testament established by His death. His death serves a dual purpose: it redeems transgressions committed under the first covenant, and it ensures that those called by God receive the promise of an eternal inheritance. This verse underscores the efficacy of Christ's sacrifice as the foundational act for humanity's access to God's ultimate blessing.

Hebrews 9 15 Context

Hebrews chapter 9 centers on contrasting the earthly tabernacle and its ritualistic services under the old covenant with the heavenly tabernacle and the superior, once-for-all sacrifice of Christ under the new covenant. The chapter highlights the limitations of the Mosaic Law, particularly the inability of animal sacrifices to truly cleanse the conscience or fully remove sins. Verse 15 serves as a pivotal point, establishing Christ's definitive role as the mediator, whose death supersedes the repetitive, ineffectual sacrifices of the old system. The historical and cultural context involves Jewish Christians struggling with whether to revert to traditional Judaism or remain firm in their faith in Christ. This verse directly counters the belief that continued adherence to the Mosaic sacrificial system was necessary for forgiveness, proclaiming Christ's work as the exclusive means of atonement and access to God's promised eternal inheritance, thereby implicitly challenging the continued validity of the Temple cult.

Hebrews 9 15 Word analysis

• And: Kai (Greek). Connects the previous statement about the need for a death to make a testament valid (Heb 9:16-17) to Christ's role.
• for this reason: Dia touto (Greek). Indicates a logical consequence or purpose. Christ's death is specifically for this purpose outlined in the verse.
• He is the Mediator: Autos mesitēs estin (Greek: Αὐτὸς μεσίτης ἐστίν).
  • He: Emphasizes Christ Himself.
  • Mediator: Mesitēs. One who stands in the middle, an arbiter, reconciler, or go-between. In legal and covenantal contexts, it refers to one who brokers an agreement, guarantees its terms, or carries out its provisions. Jesus uniquely mediates between God and humanity. He acts as the intermediary, establishing and fulfilling the new covenant.
• of the new covenant: Kainēs diathēkēs (Greek: καινῆς διαθήκης).
  • New: Kainēs. Not just chronologically new, but qualitatively superior, fresh, unprecedented in its nature and efficacy. It's fundamentally different from the old covenant in its ability to address sin and secure inheritance.
  • Covenant: Diathēkēs. Can mean both a 'covenant' (an agreement) and a 'will' or 'testament' (a document where inheritance is bestowed upon death). The author uses this ambiguity throughout the chapter (Heb 9:16-17) to underscore that Christ's death, like a testator's death, actualizes the terms of the inheritance. This highlights the foundational requirement of Christ's death for the benefits of the new arrangement to become available.
• by means of death: Thanatou genomēnē (Greek: θανάτου γενομένης). Literally, "death having occurred/happened." This highlights the necessity of a physical death for the covenant/testament to be valid and effectual.
• for the redemption of the transgressions: Eis apolytrōsin tōn parabaseōn (Greek: εἰς ἀπολύτρωσιν τῶν παραβάσεων).
  • Redemption: Apolytrosin. A strong word for 'release obtained by payment of a ransom,' 'deliverance,' 'setting free.' It denotes rescue from the slavery of sin or a debt incurred by sin.
  • Transgressions: Parabaseōn. Literally, 'going beside' or 'stepping over a boundary.' Refers to violations of law, sins, trespasses. This includes actions that violate divine commands.
• under the first covenant: Epi tē protē diathēkē (Greek: ἐπὶ τῇ πρώτῃ διαθήκῃ). Referring to the Mosaic Covenant, given at Sinai. The sacrifices under this covenant did not truly cleanse or forgive (Heb 10:4), they merely pointed forward to Christ. Christ's death addresses not only present sins but retroactively covers those committed under the old covenant, whose sacrificial system provided temporary covering but no ultimate forgiveness (Heb 10:1-4). This points to the unity of God's redemptive plan across history.
• that those who are called: Hina tous keklēmenous (Greek: ἵνα τοὺς κεκλημένους). Refers to those whom God has chosen and summoned into a relationship with Himself. This emphasizes divine initiative (Rom 8:28, 30; 1 Cor 1:9).
• may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance: Labōsin tēn epangelian tēs aiōniou klēronomias (Greek: λάβωσιν τὴν ἐπαγγελίαν τῆς αἰωνίου κληρονομίας).
  • Receive: Labōsin. To take, obtain, gain possession of.
  • Promise: Epangelian. God's sworn guarantee. The inheritance is not earned but promised by God (Gal 3:18).
  • Eternal: Aiōniou. Pertaining to the ages, unending in duration and ultimate in quality. This inheritance is everlasting and utterly secure.
  • Inheritance: Klēronomias. That which is allotted, an acquired possession by lot or heirship. It speaks of a divinely ordained destiny and blessing, a participation in God's blessings and fellowship. It is the fulfillment of God's covenant with Abraham, now realized through Christ.

Hebrews 9 15 Bonus section

The understanding of diathēkē as both 'covenant' and 'will/testament' is a crucial hermeneutical key in Hebrews 9. The author masterfully leverages this semantic range to explain why Christ's death was indispensable. Just as a human will only becomes effective upon the death of the testator, so too does the divine will of the new covenant (with its promised eternal inheritance) become active and accessible through the death of Christ. This underscores the definitive finality and perfect efficacy of Christ's single sacrifice, which stands in stark contrast to the repetitive and imperfect animal sacrifices of the Old Testament law that could never perfect the worshiper (Heb 10:1-4). This verse thus ties together the concepts of atonement, inheritance, divine calling, and the eschatological fulfillment of God's plan through Christ, presenting His work as a divinely ordered legal and redemptive accomplishment.

Hebrews 9 15 Commentary

Hebrews 9:15 presents the profound theological truth that Christ's death is the singular, effectual act securing salvation and eternal life. As the Mediator, Christ stands between a holy God and sinful humanity, bridging the chasm created by sin. His unique qualification stems from His identity as both God and man. The "new covenant" He mediates is superior to the old, not merely in newness, but in its very nature. While the old covenant, based on animal sacrifices, could only temporarily cover sins, the new covenant, sealed by Christ's own blood, definitively purges transgressions. This includes past sins committed under the old system, demonstrating the retroactive power of His atonement—God's consistent method of salvation through faith in a coming redeemer. The ultimate outcome of this redemptive act is the bestowal of an "eternal inheritance" upon "those who are called." This inheritance is not merited by human effort or law-keeping, but is a free promise from God, secured by Christ's death, and received through faith. It signifies access to God's presence, participation in His eternal kingdom, and the fulfillment of all His promises to His people, establishing a final and complete work of reconciliation and justification for all who believe.