17 For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth.
17 because a will is in force only when somebody has died; it never takes effect while the one who made it is living.
17 For a will takes effect only at death, since it is not in force as long as the one who made it is alive.
17 For a testament is in force after men are dead, since it has no power at all while the testator lives.
17 The will goes into effect only after the person's death. While the person who made it is still alive, the will cannot be put into effect.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Hebrews 9:17
Commentary on Hebrews 9:15-22
(Read Hebrews 9:15-22)
The solemn transactions between God and man, are sometimes called a covenant, here a testament, which is a willing deed of a person, bestowing legacies on such persons as are described, and it only takes effect upon his death. Thus Christ died, not only to obtain the blessings of salvation for us, but to give power to the disposal of them. All, by sin, were become guilty before God, had forfeited every thing that is good; but God, willing to show the greatness of his mercy, proclaimed a covenant of grace. Nothing could be clean to a sinner, not even his religious duties; except as his guilt was done away by the death of a sacrifice, of value sufficient for that end, and unless he continually depended upon it. May we ascribe all real good works to the same all-procuring cause, and offer our spiritual sacrifices as sprinkled with Christ's blood, and so purified from their defilement.