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I. THEY WERE ENDURED ONCE. He hath "once suffered." The word "once," is capable of being taken in two senses. The sense of actuality: that is, the mere expression of the fact that He had suffered. Or, it may be taken in the sense of onlyness. "Once for all": — "never again," as Bengel has it, "to suffer hereafter" (Hebrews 4:28). Taken in this sense, two ideas are suggested:

1. That nothing more for the purpose is needed. His sufferings are sufficient.

2. That nothing more for the purpose will be vouchsafed. "There remaineth no more sacrifice for sin."

II. THEY WERE ENDURED BY A JUST PERSON. The "Just." Christ was "without sin." He was at once the foundation, standard, and revelation, of eternal rectitude.

III. THEY WERE ENDURED ON BEHALF OF THE UNJUST.

1. This is a proof of His amazing love. "Scarcely for a righteous man will one die," etc.

2. This is an encouragement for the greatest sinner. "The unjust" of all grades and types of wickedness.

IV. THEY WERE ENDURED TO BRING THE UNJUST TO GOD. "That He might bring us to God."

1. Legally: They remove all governmental obstructions to reconciliation.

2. Morally: They remove the enmity of the human heart, and are the means of uniting the soul in love to its Maker.

3. Locally: Although God is everywhere, yet in heaven He is specially seen and enjoyed.

V. THEY WERE ENDURED TO THE UTMOST EXTENT. "Being put to death in the flesh, but quickened in the spirit."

1. Here is the death of His human nature; — "the flesh." "He suffered even unto death."

2. Here is the revivication of His human nature by the Divine Spirit: — "quickened in the Spirit." The subject furnishes — First: Encouragement to suffering Christians. Secondly: A rebuke to those who limit the provisions of the gospel. Redemptive mercy is not for a favourite few: — it is for the unjust. Thirdly: A lesson to the impenitent. What ingratitude is yours!

(D. Thomas, D. D.)

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KJV: For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:

WEB: Because Christ also suffered for sins once, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring you to God; being put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit;