ACC ~ Hebrews 9 v27 - 28

DYING IS NOT DEATH BUT SLEEP. CHRYSOSTOM: “And as it is appointed for men to die once, and after that comes judgment.” He next says why he died once only: because he became a ransom by one death. “It is appointed,” he says “for men to die once.” This then is the meaning of “he died once,” for all. What then? Do we no longer die that death? We do indeed die, but we do not continue in it, which is not to die at all. For the tyranny of death, and death indeed, is when he who dies is never more allowed to return to life. But when after dying there is life, indeed a better life, this is not death, but sleep. Since, then, death was to have possession of all, he therefore died that he might deliver us. ON THE EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS 17.4.

HE ENDURED THE THINGS COMMON TO HUMANKIND. OECUMENIUS: Because he was man along with his being God, he also endured the things common to humankind. For just as people “die one time only, so also Christ died once.” FRAGMENTS ON THE EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS 9.27.

THE HOLY SPIRIT STRENGTHENS. BEDE: On the day of atonement the high priest was commanded to expiate the sanctuary and the tabernacle of testimony, together with the altar, the priests as well, and the entire people. John showed clearly who that high priest was and what the expiation was when, as Jesus was coming to his baptism, he spoke, saying, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.” This expiation had been established to be celebrated once during the year because, as the apostle says, “Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.” As for the fact that after the high priest went into the sanctuary to make intercession, no other person was permitted to be in the tabernacle until after he came out—this indicates the weakness of the holy church, which was not yet fit to suffer for its faith in him. This was made evident in the case of the apostles themselves, who, when his passion had begun, “all forsook him and fled.”When the expiation was completed, the high priest came forth so that an opportunity might be given to others to go into the tabernacle. When the sacrifice of his passion was over, Christ appeared to his disciples; by giving them the grace of the Holy Spirit he strengthened their heart further for offering to God sacrificial offerings, not only of devoted works and prayer but also of his own blood. I have explained these details about the observance of this festivity under the law so fully in order that you, dear ones, may acknowledge how appropriately the proclamations of new grace took their starting point from it, in which, in so many ways, the working out of this grace and the redemption of the whole world is expressed. HOMILIES ON THE GOSPELS 2.19.

IN ORDER TO APPEAR IN A NEW WORLD. EPHREM THE SYRIAN: “But now once by coming at the end of times” he has suffered, so that through his sacrifice he might destroy sin, which killed the people and all nations together.

In fact “as it is appointed for men to die once” because of their first sin, and “after” death their “judgment” comes, “so Christ too,” by coming, was revealed once and “offered” himself for the sins of everybody. Then “he will appear a second time,” not in order to die for the sins, for which he has already died once, but in order to appear in a new world, where there will be no sins on the part of those who in hope expect salvation through him. COMMENTARY ON THE EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS.

HE WILL BE SEEN APART FROM SUFFERING. THEODORE OF MOPSUESTIA: Christ having now been seen when he gained mastery over sin, took on death that had power because of sin. When sin had been atoned for, as was reasonable, he also will appear apart from suffering. For “without sin” means that when sin no longer has power, so also he himself will be seen apart from all human suffering. FRAGMENTS ON THE EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS 9:28.

CHRIST BECAME AS IF A SINNER. OECUMENIUS: He says that “he bore the sins of many” on the cross, in order that he might quell them, paying the penalty that they deserved.

Now the Father sent him, “having made him sin.” For also Christ became as if a sinner, inasmuch as he took on the sins of the whole world and claimed them as his own. But then he paid the penalty that was owed, the punishment belonging to sinners. At last he will come with his Father’s glory, no longer as a sinner, no longer “reckoned among the lawless.” FRAGMENTS ON THE EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS 9.28.

THE SINS OF MANY, NOT ALL. THEODORET OF CYR: It should be noted, of course, that he bore the sins of many, not of all: not all came to faith, so he removed the sins of the believers only. INTERPRETATION OF HEBREWS 9.