Hebrews 9:26 - Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

Bible Comments

For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.

Then - in that case.

Must he often have suffered, х edei (G1163) pollakis (G4178) pathein (G3958)] - 'it would have been necessary for Him often to suffer.' In order to "offer" (Hebrews 9:25) Himself often before God in the heavenly holiest, like the high priests, He would have had, and would have often to suffer. His oblation of Himself before God was once for all (i:e., the bringing in of His blood into the heavenly Holy of holies); therefore the preliminary suffering was once for all.

Since the foundation of the world. The continued sins of men, down from creation, would entail a continual suffering on earth, and consequent oblation of His blood in the heavenly holiest, if the one oblation "in the fullness of time" were not sufficient. 'Philo de Mon.,' p. 637, 'The high priest of the Hebrews offered sacrifices for the whole human race.' 'If there had been greater efficacy in the repetition of the oblation, Christ would have been sent immediately after the foundation of the world to suffer, and offer Himself at successive periods, or at least at the jubilees' (Grotius).

Now - as the case is.

Once - for all: without need of renewal. Rome's UNBLOODY sacrifice in the mass contradicts her assertion that the blood of Christ is in the wine, and also that the mass is propitiatory; for, if unbloody, it cannot be propitiatory; for without shedding of blood, there is no remission (Hebrews 9:22). Moreover, "once" for all here, and in Hebrews 9:28, and Hebrews 10:10; Hebrews 10:12, disproves her view that there is a continually-repeated offering of Christ in the Eucharist. The offering of Christ was once done, that it might be thought of forever (note, cf. Hebrews 10:12).

In the end of the world, х sunteleia (G4930), toon (G3588) aioonoon (G165)] - 'at the consummation of the ages:' the winding up of all the previous ages, to be followed by a new age, Hebrews 1:1-2: the last age, beyond which no further is to be expected before Christ's speedy second coming, the complement of the first, 1 Corinthians 10:11; Matthew 28:20, 'the consummation of the age' (singular). Compare "the fullness of times" (seasons), Ephesians 1:10.

Appeared, х pefanerootai (G5319)] - 'been manifested' on earth (1 Timothy 3:16; 1 Timothy 1 Pet. 1:26). [The English version has confounded, Hebrews 9:24, emfanistheenai (G1718); Hebrews 9:26, pefanerootai (G5319); Hebrews 9:28, oftheesetai (G3700). But in Hebrews 9:24 it is 'to present Himself' before God in the heavenly sanctuary; in Hebrews 9:26, 'been manifested' on earth; in Hebrews 9:28, 'shall be seen' by all, and especially believers.]

Put away, х atheteesin (G115)] - abolish: doing away sin's power as well as the guilt and penalty, so that it should be powerless to condemn; as also its yoke, so that believers shall at last sin no more.

Sin - singular: all the sins of men of every age are one mass laid on Christ. He hath not only atoned for actual sins, but destroyed sin itself. John 1:29, "Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin (not merely the sins: singular) of the world."

By (through) the sacrifice of himself - not by "blood of others" (Hebrews 9:25).

Hebrews 9:26

26 For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.