Hebrews 9:15-16 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Hebrews 9:15-22

In these verses the apostle considers the gospel under the notion of a will or testament, the new or last will and testament of Christ, and shows the necessity and efficacy of the blood of Christ to make this testament valid and effectual. I. The gospel is here considered as a testament, the new and last will and testament of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. It is observable that the solemn transactions that pass between God and man are sometimes called a covenant, here a testament. A... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Hebrews 9:15-22

9:15-22 It is through him that there emerges a new covenant between God and man; and the purpose behind this new covenant is that those who have been called might receive the eternal inheritance which has been promised to them; but this could happen only after a death had taken place, the purpose of which was to rescue them from the consequences of the transgressions which had been committed under the conditions of the old covenant. For where there is a will, it is necessary that there should... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Hebrews 9:15

And for this cause he is the Mediator of the New Testament ,.... See Gill on Hebrews 7:22 , See Gill on Hebrews 8:6 , See Gill on Hebrews 8:8 . This may refer both to what goes before, and what follows after; for Christ, that he might offer himself to God, and by his blood purge the consciences of his people from dead works, that so they might serve the living God, became the Mediator of the New Testament, or covenant; and also he took upon him this character and office, that by... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Hebrews 9:16

For where a testament is ,.... The covenant of grace, as administered under the Gospel dispensation, is a testament or will. The Jews have adopted the Greek word, here used, into their language, and pronounce it דייתיקי , and by it understand a dying man's last will and testament F4 T. Hieros. Peah, fol. 17. 4. & T. Bab. Bava Bathra, fol. 152. 2. . Some of them make it to be of Hebrew derivation; as if it was said, דא תהי למיקם , "this shall be to confirm" F5 T. Bab.... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Hebrews 9:15

And for this cause - Some translate δια τουτο , on account of this (blood.) Perhaps it means no more than a mere inference, such as therefore, or wherefore. He is the Mediator of the new testament - There was no proper reason why our translators should render διαθηκη by testament here, when in almost every other case they render it covenant, which is its proper ecclesiastical meaning, as answering to the Hebrew ברית berith , which see largely explained, Genesis 15:10 , and in... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Hebrews 9:16

For where a testament is - A learned and judicious friend furnishes me with the following translation of this and the 17th verse: - "For where there is a covenant, it is necessary that the death of the appointed victim should be exhibited, because a covenant is confirmed over dead victims, since it is not at all valid while the appointed victim is alive." He observes, "There is no word signifying testator, or men, in the original. Διαθεμενος is not a substantive, but a participle, or a... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Hebrews 9:15

Verse 15 15.And for this cause he is Mediator of the New Testament, etc. He concludes that there is no more need of another priest, for Christ fulfills the office under the New Testament; for he claims not for Christ the honor of a Mediator, so that others may at the same time remain as such with him; but he maintains that all others were repudiated when Christ undertook the office. But that he might more fully confirm this fact, he mentions how he commenced to discharge his office of a... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Hebrews 9:16

Verse 16 16.For where a testament is, etc. Even this one passage is a sufficient proof, that this Epistle was not written in Hebrew; for ברית means in Hebrew a covenant, but not a testament; but in Greek , διαθήκη, includes both ideas; and the Apostle, alluding to its secondary meaning, holds that the promises should not have been otherwise ratified and valid, had they not been sealed by the death of Christ. And this he proves by referring to what is usually the case as to wills or testaments,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Hebrews 9:1-28