“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.”
So Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to bring salvation to those who are eagerly waiting for him — Christ's singular death (offered once) bore (anaphero) the burden of many sins; his second appearing (deuteron) will be for salvation (sōtēria), not for addressing sin again. The waiting community (apekdechomenois) anticipates his return with eager expectation. This verse moves from Christ's finished work in the past to his future consummation.
Church Fathers on Hebrews 9:28
“So Christ was once offered.” By whom offered? Evidently by Himself. Here he says that He is not Priest only, but Victim also, and what is sacrificed. On this account are [the words] “was offered.” “Was once offered” (he says) “to bear the sins of many.” Why “of many,” and not “of all”? Because not all believed. For He died indeed for all, that is His part: for that death was a counterbalance against the destruction of all men. But He did not bear the sins of all men, because…
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
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