English Standard Version
Hebrews 8:6
6But as it is, Christ has obtained a ministry that is as much more excellent than the old as the covenant he mediates is better, since it is enacted on better promises.
Hebrews 8:6 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises.
- New International Version (NIV)But in fact the ministry Jesus has received is as superior to theirs as the covenant of which he is mediator is superior to the old one, since the new covenant is established on better promises.
- New King James Version (NKJV)But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, inasmuch as He is also Mediator of a better covenant, which was established on better promises.
- New Living Translation (NLT)But now Jesus, our High Priest, has been given a ministry that is far superior to the old priesthood, for he is the one who mediates for us a far better covenant with God, based on better promises.
Context of Hebrews 8:6
4Now if he were on earth, he would not be a priest at all, since there are priests who offer gifts according to the law. 5They serve a copy and shadow of the heavenly things. For when Moses was about to erect the tent, he was instructed by God, saying, "See that you make everything according to the pattern that was shown you on the mountain." But as it is, Christ has obtained a ministry that is as much more excellent than the old as the covenant he mediates is better, since it is enacted on better promises. 7For if that first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no occasion to look for a second. 8For he finds fault with them when he says: "Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will establish a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah,
Read all of Hebrews 8Hebrews 8:6 word by word
νυνὶ δὲ διαφορωτέρας τέτυχεν λειτουργίας, ὅσῳ καὶ κρείττονός ἐστιν διαθήκης μεσίτης, ἥτις ἐπὶ κρείττοσιν ἐπαγγελίαις νενομοθέτηται.Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- Butδέde · thenG1161
- nowνυνίnuni · nowG3570
- hath he obtained aτυγχάνωtugchanō · to obtain/happenG5177
- more excellentδιάφοροςdiaphoros · differentG1313
- ministryλειτουργίαleitourgia · ministryG3009
- by how muchὅσοςhosos · just as/how muchG3745
- alsoκαίkai · andG2532
- he isεἰμίeimi · to beG1510
- the mediatorμεσίτηςmesitēs · mediatorG3316
- of a betterκρείττωνkreittōn · strongerG2909
- covenantδιαθήκηdiathēkē · covenantG1242
- whichὅστιςhostis hētis ho6ti · who/whichG3748
- was establishedνομοθετέωnomotheteō · to give lawsG3549
- uponἐπίepi · upon/to/againstG1909
- promisesἐπαγγελίαepaggelia · promiseG1860
Cross-references for Hebrews 8:6
- Hebrews 8:7For if that first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no occasion to look for a second.
- 2 Corinthians 3:6who has made us sufficient to be ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.
- Hebrews 7:22This makes Jesus the guarantor of a better covenant.
- Hebrews 12:24and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.
- Galatians 3:19Why then the law? It was added because of transgressions, until the offspring should come to whom the promise had been made, and it was put in place through angels by an intermediary.
- Hebrews 9:15Therefore he is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance, since a death has occurred that redeems them from the transgressions committed under the first covenant.
- Hebrews 8:10For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my laws into their minds, and write them on their hearts, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
- Romans 9:4They are Israelites, and to them belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises.
- Galatians 3:16Now the promises were made to Abraham and to his offspring. It does not say, "And to offsprings," referring to many, but referring to one, "And to your offspring," who is Christ.
- 2 Peter 1:4by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.
Commentaries on Hebrews 8:6
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 6Now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry - His office of priesthood is more excellent than the Levitical, because the covenant is better, and established on better promises: the old covenant referred to earthly things; the new covenant, to heavenly. The old covenant had promises of secular good; the new covenant, of spiritual and eternal blessings. As far as Christianity is preferable to Judaism, as far as Christ is preferable to Moses, as far as…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 6But now hath he obtained - That is, Christ. A more excellent ministry - A service of a higher order, or of a more exalted nature. It was the real and substantial service of which the other was but the emblem; it pertained to things in heaven, while that was concerned with the earthly tabernacle; it was enduring, while that was to vanish away; see the notes on 2 Corinthians 3:6-9. By how much - By as much as the new covenant is more important than the old…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 6He mediates: A mediator helps two parties reach an agreement. Christ's sacrifice created a covenant (agreement) between people and God. the covenant He mediates is better: See “The New Covenant” Theme Note. This covenant is better because it relies on better promises (see Hebrews 8:7–13).Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 66. now--not time; but "as it is." more excellent ministry--than any earthly ministry. by how much--in proportion as. mediator--coming between us and God, to carry into effect God's covenant with us. "The messenger (angel) of the covenant." which--Greek, "one which" [Alford]: inasmuch as being one which. established--Greek, "enacted as a law." So Ro 3:27, "law of faith"; and Ro 8:2; 9:31, apply "law" to the Gospel covenant. It is implied hereby, the Gospel…Read the comment
Topics related to Hebrews 8:6
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Hebrews 8
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Illustrated New Testament
- Burkitt’s Expository Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Family Bible Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- The People’s New Testament
- Robertson’s Word Pictures
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
English Standard Version — © 2001 Crossway Bibles
Commentaries