“Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.”
He entered once for all (ephapax) into the holy places by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption (lytrōsis aiōnios) — ephapax (once for all) is the crucial word of Hebrews: Christ's singular, unrepeatable entry surpasses the high priest's annual repetition. His own blood (heautou haima) makes him simultaneously priest and sacrifice. The redemption secured (euriskomenos) is eternal because it addresses not just temporal offenses but the fundamental separation between God and humanity.
Church Fathers on Hebrews 9:12
“Neither by the blood,” he says, “of goats and calves” (All things are changed) “but by His own Blood” (he says) “He entered in once for all into the Holy Place.” See thus he called Heaven. “Once for all” (he says) “He entered into the Holy Place, having obtained eternal redemption.” And this [expression] “having obtained,” was [expressive] of things very difficult, and that are beyond expectation, how by one entering in, He “obtained everlasting redemption.”
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
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