Hebrews 9:28

Hebrews 9:28 (KJV): "So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation."

Context

This powerful verse concludes a significant section in the Epistle to the Hebrews that meticulously contrasts the Old Covenant sacrificial system with the singular, perfect sacrifice of Jesus Christ. The author has just explained how the high priest under the Law entered the Most Holy Place once a year with the blood of animals to make atonement for sins, a ritual that had to be repeated continually (Hebrews 9:25). In stark contrast, Christ entered heaven itself with His own blood, offering Himself "once for all" (Hebrews 9:12). Verse 28 builds directly on the preceding statement that "it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment" (Hebrews 9:27), presenting Christ's experience as the divine parallel to humanity's appointed destiny.

Key Themes

• The Sufficiency of Christ's Sacrifice: The phrase "once offered" (Greek: hapax, ἅπαξ) emphasizes the absolute finality and completeness of Christ's atoning work. Unlike the endless animal sacrifices, His one offering was sufficient to "bear the sins of many," providing full and complete propitiation for humanity's sin.
• Atonement and Sin-Bearing: To "bear the sins" (Greek: anenengkein, ἀνενεγκεῖν, meaning "to carry up" or "to carry away") signifies Christ taking the burden and penalty of sin upon Himself. This echoes the Old Testament concept of the scapegoat carrying away the sins of the people (Leviticus 16:22) and prophetic descriptions of the Messiah's suffering (Isaiah 53:12).
• The Certainty of the Second Coming: The verse unequivocally states Christ "shall he appear the second time." This is a foundational doctrine of Christian eschatology, promising His glorious return after His first coming to deal with sin.
• The Purpose of the Second Coming: He will appear "without sin unto salvation." This is crucial. His first coming was to address the sin problem; His second coming will not be to offer another sacrifice or deal with sin again. Instead, it will be to consummate the salvation of His people, bringing them into full redemption, glorification, and eternal fellowship with God.
• The Believer's Posture: The promise is specifically "unto them that look for him." This highlights the active faith, hope, and eager expectation of those who have received His first work and now anticipate His second.

Linguistic Insights

• The Greek word for "once" is hapax (ἅπαξ), meaning "once for all" or "a single time." This powerfully conveys the decisive, unrepeatable nature of Christ's sacrifice, contrasting sharply with the repeated, never-ending sacrifices of the Old Covenant system (Hebrews 10:10).
• "To bear the sins" comes from anenengkein (ἀνενεγκεῖν), which literally means "to carry up" or "to carry away." This implies Christ taking the weight and guilt of sin upon Himself and offering it up to God, thereby removing its condemnation from those who believe.
• "Without sin" (Greek: choris hamartias, χωρὶς ἁμαρτίας) is a pivotal phrase. It signifies that when Christ returns, He will not come as a sin-offering or to deal with the problem of sin. His work of atonement is complete. He will come in glory, separate from any association with sin, to gather His redeemed.

Practical Application

Hebrews 9:28 offers profound assurance and a call to hopeful living for believers:

• Assurance of Salvation: Because Christ's sacrifice was "once offered" and sufficient, believers can rest in the finished work of atonement. Their salvation is secured by His past action, not dependent on their own repeated efforts or ongoing sacrifices.
• Living with Hope and Expectation: The promise of Christ's second coming (Acts 1:11) should inspire believers to live with anticipation. Knowing He will return "without sin unto salvation" means His return will bring ultimate deliverance, glorification, and the full realization of eternal life.
• A Call to Holy Living: Those who "look for him" are encouraged to live lives that reflect their hope. This expectation of His return, not to deal with sin but to bring salvation, should motivate purity and devotion (1 John 3:3).
• Focus on the Future: The verse shifts our gaze from the past (Christ's first coming to deal with sin) to the future (His second coming to bring ultimate salvation), providing a powerful anchor for Christian hope.