9:15 And so he is the mediator 1 of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the eternal inheritance he has promised, 2 since he died 3 to set them free from the violations committed under the first covenant.
1 tn The Greek word μεσίτης (mesith", “mediator”) in this context does not imply that Jesus was a mediator in the contemporary sense of the word, i.e., he worked for compromise between opposing parties. Here the term describes his function as the one who was used by God to enact a new covenant which established a new relationship between God and his people, but entirely on God’s terms.
2 tn Grk “the promise of the eternal inheritance.”
3 tn Grk “a death having occurred.”
4 tn Or “through his sacrifice”; Grk “through which.”
5 tn Or “through his sacrifice”; Grk “through it.”
6 tn Grk “past the time of maturity.”
7 tn Grk “power to deposit seed.” Though it is not as likely, some construe this phrase to mean “power to conceive seed,” making the whole verse about Sarah: “by faith, even though Sarah herself was barren and too old, she received ability to conceive, because she regarded the one who had given the promise to be trustworthy.”