Hebrews 9:14

How much more? The superiority of Christ’s offering is emphasized.

Blood of Christ. In contrast with the blood of animals (cf. on v. 12).

Through the eternal Spirit. There is no article here in the Greek, thus suggesting, though not proving, that it is not the Holy Spirit that is here spoken of, but Christ’s own divine nature, which is eternal. While He was in His eternal pre-existent state, Christ offered to give His life for man (Revelation 13:8).

Himself. Christ gave His life a voluntary sacrifice. He had power to lay down His life, and He had power to take it again (John 10:18).

Purge. Greek katharizo, “to make clean,” “to cleanse,” “to purify.” Compare the use of katharizo in Acts 10:15; 15:9; 2 Corinthians 7:1; Ephesians 5:26; Titus 2:14; James 4:8; 1 John 1:7, 9. The tense of the verb is future, doubtless in terms of those to whom the epistle was written who had not fully entered into the experience awaiting them under the new covenant (Hebrews 8:10-12; see on ch. 9:9). Under the old system they had found only ceremonial purity, but now they could find peace of soul in Christ.

Conscience. See on v. 9.

Dead works. See on ch. 6:1.

To serve. The object of purification is service. Men and women are redeemed for service. The cleansing is not an end in itself; it prepares men to render acceptable service to God (see on Romans 12:1).

Living God. A common title of God in both the OT and the NT (see Deuteronomy 5:26; Joshua 3:10; Hebrews 3:12; etc.). Here the title seems to be chosen because of the mention of dead works. Those who serve the living God bring forth living fruits unto righteousness.