ACC ~ Hebrews 9 v15 - 17

HE DIED FOR US. CHRYSOSTOM: How did he become mediator? He brought words from God and brought them to us, conveying what came from the Father and adding his own death. We had offended; we ought to have died. He died for us and made us worthy of the covenant. By this is the covenant secure, in that henceforward it is not made for the unworthy. ON THE EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS 16.2.

THE DEATH OF THE TESTATOR WAS PREFIGURED. AUGUSTINE: Inasmuch as the apostle says to the Hebrews, “A will takes effect only at the death of the one who made it,” he therefore asserts that, with Christ’s death for us, the new covenant has become valid. Its likeness was the old covenant, in which the death of the testator was prefigured in the sacrificial victim. Therefore, if one should ask how it is that we, in the words of the same apostle, are “children and heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ,” since of course the inheritance is made valid by the death of the deceased and since an inheritance cannot be understood in any other way, the answer is this: he himself having in fact died, we have become heirs because we were also called his sons. “The sons of the bridegroom,” he says, “do not fast while the bridegroom is with them.”Therefore we are called his heirs, for he has left the peace of the Church, a peace which we possess in this life, in our possession through faith in the divine plan of salvation revealed in time. ON EIGHTY-THREE VARIED QUESTIONS 75.1.

WHY A COVENANT? CHRYSOSTOM: It was probable that many of those who were weaker would especially distrust the promises of Christ because he had died. Paul, accordingly, out of a superabundance introduced this illustration, deriving it from common custom. Of what kind is it? He says, “Indeed, on this very account we ought to be of good courage.” On what account? Because covenants are established and obtain their force when those who have made them are not living but dead. “Therefore,” he says, “he is the mediator of a new covenant.” A covenant is made toward the last day, the day of death.

And a covenant is of this character: it makes some heirs and some disinherited. So in this case also. “I desire that they also,” Christ says, “may be with me where I am.” And again of the disinherited, hear him saying, “I do not pray for” all, “but for those who believe in me through their word.” Again, a covenant has relation both to the testator and to the legatees; so that they have some things to receive, and some to do. So also in this case, for, after having made promises innumerable, he demands also something from them, saying, “A new commandment I give to you.”Again, a covenant ought to have witnesses. Hear him again saying, “I bear witness to myself, and the Father who sent me bears witness to me.” And again, “he will bear witness to me,” speaking of the Spirit. The twelve apostles too he sent, saying, “Bear witness before God.” ON THE EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS 16.1.

Heb