Hebrews 9:16–17

On the question of "covenant" or "testament": "covenant" is always right, except in Hebrews 9:16-17. Even here some have disputed it, but it seems simpler to take it as "testament" — an observation made in passing. The Greek word means covenant, or testament, or disposition.

Where men make a covenant, is it in the least necessary that either of the contracting parties should die? Jacob and Laban made a covenant between them. But did it need Jacob or Laban to die before it was valid? If either had died, that would have been the end of it. But when the man who makes a testament dies, the will takes effect. Then, and only then, can his children — or whoever he left his property to — receive the benefit.

How does anybody usually get an inheritance? By a testament, of course, as everyone knows... So no picture could be more natural. If God meant certain people He had called to have an inheritance, there should be a testament about it. That the word here means "testator" is to me beyond question. As far as I know, it is never used to mean "covenanting victim," as some argue — and I do not believe it ever could be.

The Lord became a man so that He could die, and so give us an everlasting inheritance — and a great deal more besides. He who had spoken at Sinai is the very same One who came to die. The figure of a testator therefore applies in all its force. He was pleased to die like this, though in His divine nature He could not die. So in His infinite grace He stooped to share in blood and flesh, so that He might die.

The second meaning of the word comes in to show that death is necessary — and not just any death, but the death of the testator, the one who gives the blessing. Without this the testament would have no validity at all. No one could enforce it, and no benefit could pass to anyone. And in this sense the reality goes beyond even this God-given illustration. In the normal run of things death is unavoidable, and the will coming into force is a consequence. But our blessed Lord endured death so that He could give the blessing.

You might say the will was drawn up in eternity... But does that secure the inheritance to us? Something has to come in so that the will of the Testator may be made good — the death of the Testator... And this does not only look forward to the eternal inheritance. It also looks back over all our blessings. So everything we have had, even our daily mercies, is part of those purchased and bequeathed blessings.

The death of the Testator had taken place, and the testament had been placed into the Father's hands. He has answered the perfect trust of His beloved Son. He raised Him from the dead and made Him the Trustee and Administrator of the Will of God... So the Will will be carried out not only according to the letter of it, but according to the spirit of it too, and not one detail of it shall fail.

The end of verse 15 is what suggests "testament": "those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance." How does anybody normally get an inheritance? By a testament, of course, as everyone knows. That has been the usual arrangement in every settled country, in every age. So nothing could be a more natural picture. If God intended certain called persons to have an inheritance, there should be a testament about the matter.

As to the question of "covenant" or "testament": "covenant" is always right, except in Hebrews 9:16-17. Some have argued against it even here, but it seems simpler to take it as "testament." In Greek the word can mean covenant, testament, or disposition.

When people make a covenant, is it in any way necessary that either side should die? Jacob and Laban made a covenant with each other. Did it need Jacob or Laban to die to be valid? If either had died, that would have ended it. But when the man who makes a testament dies, then and only then can his children receive the benefit through the will. The same is true for anyone else he has left his property to.

Some try to slip in the death of sacrifices here. But the word means a testator, not a victim killed to seal a covenant. The Lord became a man so that He might die, to give us (a great deal more, but also) an everlasting inheritance. The One who had spoken at Sinai is the very same One who came to die. So the figure of a testator applies in all its force. He was pleased to die in this way, though in His divine nature He could not die. He therefore stooped, in the infiniteness of His grace, to share in blood and flesh so that He might die.

Without the death of the testator the testament would have no validity at all (it would not be enforceable) and no benefit could pass to anyone. And in this sense the reality goes beyond even this God-given illustration. In the usual course of things death cannot be avoided, and the testament coming into force follows from it. But our blessed Lord endured death so that He could give the blessing!

You might say God drew up the will in eternity. Ephesians says He "blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world." But does that secure the inheritance to us? Something has to happen before the Testator's will can take effect — the death of the Testator... This looks forward to the eternal inheritance, and it also looks back over all our blessings. So everything we have had, even our daily mercies, is part of what He purchased and left to us.

The death of the Testator had taken place, and the testament had been placed in the Father's hands. He has answered the perfect trust of His beloved Son by raising Him from the dead and making Him the Trustee and Administrator of the Will of God. This means the Will will be carried out not just according to its letter, but according to its spirit too. Not one detail of it shall fail.

He left us all the blessing in dying — it came into complete force at once. We are freed once for all through His death. There is no altering it.