William Burkitt Notes and Observations - Hebrews 9:25 - 9:25

Online Resource Library

Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | Download

William Burkitt Notes and Observations - Hebrews 9:25 - 9:25


(Show All Books | Show All Chapters)

This Chapter Verse Commentaries:

Our apostle, in these words, sets forth the excellency of Christ's sacrifice from its singularity; it needeth no repetition, as their sacrifices of old did: Their sacrifices were repeated often, and their repetition was an evidence of their imperfecton; but Christ's once offering himself a sacrifice was sufficient, in regard of the infinite worth and dignity of his person: Once in the end of the world, in the gospel-age, the last age of the world, hath he appeared to take away sin by the sacrifice of himself.

Here note, That the virtue of Christ's sacrifice once offered, did extend itself to all times, and purchased pardon for sins committed in all ages, even long before it was offered: For the death of Christ must be considered, not as a natural, but as a moral cause: Not as a medicine that heals, but as a ransom that frees a captive. A captive may be released upon assurance given that a ransom shall be paid, though it be not actually paid.

Thus the death of Christ was available to purchase pardon for believers before his coming, because he interposed as their Surety; and is therefore called the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world, not only in respect of God's decree, but Christ's efficacy: The salvation we derive form him, was ever in him; Christ's once offering was sufficient; his sacrifice may be often commemorated, but only once offered. Such indeed is the absolute perfection of the once offering of Christ, that it stands in need of, and will admit of no repetition in any kind.

Note farther, That this once offering of Christ is always effectual unto all the ends of it, now and hereafter, even no less than it was in the day and hour when it was actually offered. This sacrifice needs no repetition like those of old, but is always fresh in the virtue of it, and needs nothing but revewed application by faith for the communication of its effects and fruits unto us; for by one offering he hath forever perfected them that are sanctified. Though the sufferings of Christ were necessary to the expiation of sin, yet he suffered neither more nor oftener than was necessary; to have suffered often was altogether needless, and would have been useless.

Note lastly, The great end for which Christ once became a sacrifice, namely, to put away sin; plainly implying, that sin had erected a dominion, a tyranny over all men, as by a law; that no power of any mere creature was able to disannul or abolish this law of sin; that the destruction and dissolution of this law of sin, was the great end of Chirst's coming, to discharge his priestly office in the sacrifice of himself: Now in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away, to abolish and destroy sin by the sacrifice of himself.