New Testament

Luke 22:19-20 KJVS
And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me. [20] Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.

Hebrews 9:17 KJVS
For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth.

Most of the scriptures with the word testament, or covenant in it in the KJV New Testament is referring to a devisory will.

Strong’s Number
G1242
Original Word
διαθήκη
Transliterated Word
diathēkē
Phonetic Spelling
dee-ath-ay’-kay
Parts of Speech
Noun Feminine
Strong’s Definition
From G1303; properly a disposition that is (specifically) a contract (especially a devisory will): – covenant testament.

To use language that most people will understand, a devisory will, is a last will and testament. After my father died, the will was read and the terms of the will regarding his bank accounts,, house and property was carried out and divided among his children. So what exactly did Jesus Christ leave to his brethren? Let me explain. Apostle Paul, who was Pharisee and was tutored by a renowned expert in the law of Moses, wrote the following, making a very important distinction regarding God’s covenants. Pay very close attention to verse 24 and 25.

Galatians 4:22-26 KJVS
For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a freewoman. [23] But he who was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh; but he of the freewoman was by promise.
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[24] Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants; the one from the mount Sinai, which gendereth to bondage, which is Agar. [25] For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children.
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[26] But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all.

Galatians 3:14,16-18,28-29 KJVS
That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. [16] Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ. [17] And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect. [18] For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise: but God gave it to Abraham by promise. [28] There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. [29] And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

Part of my confusion in the past was that the Greek word G1242, is translated into the English words, covenant covenants and testament in the KJV. The words seemed interchangeable to me. And I always viewed the words “new testament” and associated it with replacing the law of Moses in the Old Testament. But the word testament is often used to describe a divisory will. The key to understanding this is given in the above verses. There are two covenants, covenant of the law and covenant of promise. That promise that God made to Abraham, extends to his seed. Not to many seeds, but to our seed Jesus Christ. Now that promise, that was made to Jesus Christ, could only be extended to his brethren, He 2:10-13, through a devisory will.

Hebrews 9:15-17 KJVS
And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance. [16] For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. [17] For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth.

The promise of eternal inheritance, to be heirs of the world with Abraham, Ro 4:13, is made to his seed, Jesus Christ, and those that he bequeaths that promise to. This eternal inheritance, is to rule and reign with Jesus Christ for 1000 years, Re 20:4&6. And part of that promise/blessing is to receive the Spirit. Both of which can only be acquired through the covenant of promise, Ga 3:18. Not through the law of Moses.

John 6:56 KJVS
He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him.
Romans 4:13 KJVS
For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.
Galatians 3:29 KJVS
And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.