“by so much more Jesus has become a surety of a better covenant” (Hebrews 7:22).
With the possible exception of those who serve within the banking and financial industries, the word “surety” may be an unfamiliar term for many. We can associate this word from Hebrews 7:22 with the idea of a “guarantee.” In fact, that is how “surety” is translated in many Biblical versions of this passage. Several commentators offer insights that help enrich our understanding of this concept…
“The Hebrew background is ‘a pledge put in the hand,’ which implies surety. It came to be used in Greek for collateral on a loan or a jail bond. Also, in Roman law it stood for that which was legally secured. Jesus is the Father’s surety of the effectiveness of the new covenant.” (1)
“The Greek word used here, engyos, was a legal term within the Graeco-Roman world, referring to someone who assumed an obligation in place of another. This expression parallels 8:6, which describes Jesus as the mediator of a better covenant.” (2)
“When sin is depicted as a debt, the New Testament calls Christ our Surety (Heb. 7:22). That’s an economic term, just as debt is an economic term. With this language, the Bible tells us that Christ is the One Who cosigns the note. He is the One Who stands there, backing up our indebtedness, taking on Himself the requirement of what must be paid.” (3)
Thus, Jesus serves as the personal guarantor of our salvation. That brings us to another important concept within this verse: the idea of a covenant. Much like the word “surety,” a covenantal agreement may seem unfamiliar to modern-day audiences. Nevertheless, a covenant it is not unlike certain other kinds of contractual arrangements in certain respects.
For instance, a covenant is like a modern-day contract in the sense that it serves to identify the responsibilities of those who enter it. And like many other types of contractual arrangements, a covenant often contains a list of penalties to be assessed against those who fail to fulfill its terms.
However, a covenant differs from other types of agreements in one important respect: the terms of a covenant are non-negotiable. In other words, the language contained within a covenant cannot be changed or revised to suit the desires of one party. Instead, a covenant must be accepted or rejected in its entirety without amendment. The specific covenant mentioned here in Hebrews 7:22 will go on to become a focus of greater attention as we continue through chapters eight and nine of this epistle.
(1) Dr. Bob Utley, Hebrews 7 [7:22] Copyright © 2014 Bible Lessons International http://www.freebiblecommentary.org/new_testament_studies/VOL10/VOL10_07.html
(2) John D. Barry, Douglas Mangum, et al., Faithlife Study Bible (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2012, 2016), Heb 7:22.
(3) Sproul, R.C., The Truth of the Cross © 2007 R.C. Sproul, Reformation Trust Publishing [pg. 42]