Note 1 at Mt. 26:28: The Greek word for "testament" used here is "diatheke" and primarily denotes a contract, covenant, agreement, or promise (Gal. 3:17). Vine's Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words states that this Greek word "does not in itself contain the idea of a joint obligation; it mostly signifies an obligation undertaken by a single person" (W.E. Vine--p. 251). In other words, in the New Covenant, it is not what we can do for God but what God has done for us.

The principle of the Old Covenant was "do" and you shall live (Rom. 10:5). The principle of the New Covenant is "it is done" (Rom. 10:6-9), which includes redemption, reconciliation, righteousness, and sanctification. The work is finished! We are complete in Him! (Col. 2:10)

If the Old Covenant had been without defect, there would have been no attempt to institute another (Heb. 8:7). In the Old Covenant, men found themselves unable to abide in its agreement, for it was based upon a man's performance (Ex. 19:5-8). The new agreement, however, was based totally upon God's grace (Rom. 4:4-5). Under the Old Covenant, men approached God through a priest (Heb. 5:1) while under the New Covenant, we have direct access to the Father through Jesus Christ (Heb. 4:16). Under the Old Covenant, a man's sin led to his death (Heb. 10:28) while under the New Covenant, God is merciful to our unrighteousness (Heb. 8:12; 1 Jn. 1:8-9; 2:1). Under the Old Covenant, man could not be cleansed of a consciousness of sin (Heb. 10:1-4) while under the New Covenant, our sins and iniquities are remembered no more (Heb. 8:12; 10:17), and our guilty consciences are cleansed (Heb. 10:22).