hjxivwsen ei\nai, ta; hJmi'n katorqwqevnta aujtw'/ katwrqw'sqai levgei oJ ajpovstolo" .
( b ) The truths taught by the shedding of Christ's Blood (Heb. 9:13-22). The thoughts springing out of the fulfilment of Christ's High-priestly work which have found a summary expression in vv. 11, 12 are developed in the remainder of the chapter. The efficacy of Christ's Blood is ( a ) first contrasted with that of the Jewish victims as a purifying power (9:13, 14); and then a new thought is introduced, which arises from the extension of the virtue of Christ's Blood to His people. The Blood is ( b ) the ratification of a new Covenant, as comprehensive in its application as the blood of the calves and the goats by which the Old Covenant was ratified (9:15-22).
13 For if the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer, sprinkling them that have been defiled, sanctifieth unto the cleanness of the flesh ,
14 how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through His eternal spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, cleanse our conscience from dead works, to the end that we may serve a living God? 15 And for this reason He is mediator of a new covenant, in order that a death having taken place for redemption from the transgressions that were under the first covenant, they that have been called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance. 16 For where there is a covenant, the death of him that made it must needs be presented. 17 For a covenant is sure where there hath been death; since it doth not ever have force when he that made it liveth. 18 Whence not even hath the first covenant been inaugurated without blood. 19 For when every commandment had been spoken according to the Law by Moses to all the people, taking the blood of the calves and the goats, with water and scarlet wool and hyssop, he sprinkled both the book itself and all the people , 20
saying This is the blood of the covenant which God commanded to youward.
21 And the tabernacle also and all the vessels of the ministry he sprinkled in like manner with the blood. 22 And I may almost say, it is in blood all things are cleansed according to the Law, and apart from outpouring of blood there cometh no remission.
( a ) Heb. 9:13, 14. A sense of difficulty might arise at the prospect of the vast claim which has been made for Christ's work. How, it might be asked, can it avail for ever? The Mosaic institutions furnish the answer.
The ritual purification of the Jewish system had a limited validity. It was directed to that which was outward. In this respect it removed outward defilement, and gave outward cleanness. If then it availed within its proper sphere, much more (we may confidently conclude) the blood of Christ will avail within its proper sphere, which is spiritual. The consequence which follows in the one case is (so to speak) due to an arbitrary enactment: the consequence in the other case lies in the very nature of things. The conclusion rests upon the comparison of a twofold relation, the relation of the blood of Christ to the blood of animals, and the relation of the inward sphere of religion to the outward.
9:13. Two typical examples of the purificatory Levitical sacrifices are taken in illustration: the yearly sacrifices of goats and bulls on the day of Atonement (Lev. 16), and the occasional sacrifice of the red heifer (Num. 19). The first regarded the impurity contracted from daily action, the second the impurity contracted from contact with death.
travgwn kai; tauvrwn
] Comp. Heb. 9:12 note.