Book of Hebrews - Chapter 9 - Verse 26
Meaning
The verse "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" highlights the significance of Jesus Christ's sacrifice on the cross. The verse speaks to the idea that throughout history, the shedding of blood was required for the forgiveness of sins. However, Jesus' sacrifice on the cross was a final and complete offering, once and for all, that put an end to the need for continual sacrifices. This act of atonement was a demonstration of God's love and mercy towards humanity, providing a way for sin to be removed and relationship with God to be restored. By offering himself as a sacrifice, Jesus bore the punishment for sin on behalf of all people, allowing them to be reconciled to God. This verse underscores the central belief in Christianity that salvation comes through faith in Jesus Christ and his sacrificial death on the cross.
Theological Overview
In this verse, the phrase "For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world" highlights the idea that if Christ had needed to repeatedly offer sacrifices for sin, it would have been a perpetual and ongoing process since the beginning of creation. However, with the phrase "but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself," the focus shifts to the unique and final sacrifice of Jesus Christ. This single sacrifice at the end of the world's history is emphasized as sufficient to put away sin once and for all. The theological interpretation of this verse underscores the significance of Christ's sacrifice as the ultimate solution to the problem of sin. By offering himself as a sacrifice, Jesus made it possible for sin to be completely removed, providing a way for humanity to be reconciled to God.