New Defender's Study Bible Notes

5:9 by his blood. Some theologians have argued that the shed “blood” of Christ is irrelevant in salvation and that it is merely a metaphor for His “death.” This is wrong. Had Christ died in some fashion not requiring the pouring out of his life-blood, His death in itself was not enough, for “without shedding of blood is no remission” (Hebrews 9:22), since “the life of the flesh is in the blood” (Leviticus 17:11). His blood is infinitely “precious” (I Peter 1:19). We are “justified by His blood” and saved “through faith in His blood” (Romans 3:25), having “redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins” (Ephesians 1:7). Its efficacy will never lose its power, for it is “the blood of the everlasting covenant” (Hebrews 13:20).