Hebrews 1

Introduction to

"The opening word of Hebrews is 'God' (1:1). The last word of the Epistle is 'Amen' (13:25). (Everything in between is Jesus Christ!) The key to all the words in between is the single word 'better.' (used 13 times). (Alger Fitch, "Best of All is Jesus", pg. 21)

So why do we need to study the Book of Hebrews?

First and foremost because it is part of God’s revelation to us.

(Alger Fitch, "Best of All is Jesus", pg. 21)

It is a word of Encouragement to Christians who are faltering in their faith.

It is a grand statement about the supremacy of Christ. "The document titled "To the Hebrews" is one of the greatest sources for instruction in Christian faith, and for exhortations to faithfulness to Christ and His message." (Gareth L. Reese, "New Testament Epistles: Hebrews), pg. v) Jesus Christ is to be our main focus in every aspect of the church. If any program or facet of the church does not point to Christ it is not appropriate. It is imperative that we keep the main thing the main thing!

(Gareth L. Reese, "New Testament Epistles: Hebrews), pg. v)

It illustrates God’s progressive revelation through the OT climaxing in the Person and Work of Jesus Christ.

It emphasizes that the New Covenant has replaced the Old Covenant.

"In a day when people are looking for a model to follow and a cause with which to identify, the message of this letter is right on target. For folks who are losing their grip, it holds out hope. For those who are giving serious thought to turning away from grace and returning to the Law, Hebrews offers an inspired restraint.

"If you find yourself ready for some serious study---big helpings of solid meat instead of baby food and warm milk---you will love Hebrews." (Chuck Swindoll, "Bible Study Guide: Hebrews" Vol I, preface)

f. "The letter to the Hebrews is one of the most bracing and challenging writings in the NT. People often find it a bit difficult, because it uses ideas that are strange to us. But, like meeting a new friend, we will find as we get to know it that is is full of interest and delight, with a powerful message that comes home to today's and tomorrow's church as much as it did to yesterday's." (N.T. Wright, "Hebrews for Everyone", pg. x)

(Chuck Swindoll, "Bible Study Guide: Hebrews" Vol I, preface)

Now we are ready to dig into to the first sentence of the great book.

(N.T. Wright, "Hebrews for Everyone", pg. x)

New American Standard Bible, 1995 Edition: Paragraph Version Chapter 1

1 God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, 2 ain these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the fworld. 3 And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and bupholds all things by the word of His power. When He had made purification of sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, 4 having become as much better than the angels, as He has inherited a more excellent name than they.

"The purpose of the writer's introduction is to illustrate the exalted name and position of Jesus Christ and to present the reasons for His deserving such a position. It the very first chapter, the stage is set for what will follow in the rest of the book. In accord with this purpose, the author treated Jesus' place in revelation and His relationship to God, to the universe, and to the angels. Discussing Jesus' place in revelation, he not only stressed the difference between our Lord as God's final revelation and all other revelations that had gone before (such as dreams, visions, preaching, dramatizing, and states of ecstasy), he also affirmed that all previous revelations had pointed to Jesus as God's ultimate one. God's Son was the climax of a long series of revelations by God. Divine revelation is thus seen to be progressive. The coming of Christ was prepared for by continue revelation of God through the OT. He was the end toward which everything had moved." (Eubanks and Shannon, "Unlocking the Scriptures for You: Hebrews", pg. 10)

"The purpose of the writer's introduction is to illustrate the exalted name and position of Jesus Christ and to present the reasons for His deserving such a position. It the very first chapter, the stage is set for what will follow in the rest of the book. In accord with this purpose, the author treated Jesus' place in revelation and His relationship to God, to the universe, and to the angels. Discussing Jesus' place in revelation, he not only stressed the difference between our Lord as God's final revelation and all other revelations that had gone before (such as dreams, visions, preaching, dramatizing, and states of ecstasy), he also affirmed that all previous revelations had pointed to Jesus as God's ultimate one. God's Son was the climax of a long series of revelations by God. Divine revelation is thus seen to be progressive. The coming of Christ was prepared for by continue revelation of God through the OT. He was the end toward which everything had moved." (Eubanks and Shannon, "Unlocking the Scriptures for You: Hebrews", pg. 10)

(Eubanks and Shannon, "Unlocking the Scriptures for You: Hebrews", pg. 10)

"In one of the most beautifully constructed and expressive sentence found in the NT, we are immediately reminded that "God...has spoken"! Instead of any sort of address or greeting as was common in first century letters, the writer plunges directly into his theme, namely that "God has spoken in His Son."! Few books in the NT Scriptures use the word "God" as often as it is used in Hebrews. (68 times, an average of once every 73 words) Right from the beginning we are confronted with the reality of God, and with the fact that "He is there and He is not silent!" (Gareth Reese, pg. 1)

In many portions and in many ways --- God revealed Himself little by little, bit by bit, in those OT ages...No one person or no one prophet received a complete picture. Some basic revelations were made to Adam and Eve, Cain and Abel, Enoch, Noah, and others. Abraham was the recipient of some further revelations; David received some more; Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Daniel provide still more as God revealed more and more of His truth to them, and they in turn passed on what had been revealed to them. "Many ways" would remind us that God employed dreams, visions, direct communications, object lessons, burning bushes, storms, thunder, gently flowing stream and a Euphratean flood, angels (Gideon), dumb animals (Balaam), etc. He gave Law, History, poetry, and prophecy, yet, none of these revelations or methods came up to the fullness of what God had yet to say in His Son." (Gareth L. Reese, "New Testament Epistles: Hebrews", pg. 2)

You see, if you think the Bible is just a bunch of thou shalts and thou shalt nots and thus saiths, then you haven’t read it very well! (Steve Hooks).

In these last days---the concept of the Christian Age being the “last days” is shared by other NT writers: ,; ; ; ; ; .

Evidences of the Son’s Superiority

a. Whom He appointed heir of all things---Jesus has the supreme place in all the mighty universe. This is obviously a reference to , which will be referenced again in verse 5.

b. Through whom He also made the world---Before He ever became incarnate, the Son was actively helping the Father create the ‘worlds’ or ‘ages.’ Labeling Jesus as creator is to ascribe to Him a divine function quite apart from the ability of any prophet. See . Also .

c. And He is the radiance of His glory---Jesus is also superior to every prophet because He Himself radiates the very glory of God. The “Glory of God” is often used of the radiant sphere of light one sees emanating from God as He is enthroned, ,. Stephen begins his defence before the Sanhedrin with this term in . Of no prophet could it ever be said that he is the radiance of God’s glory, not even Moses, whose face, when he came down from Mt. Sinai with the tables of Law, emitted or reflected a glow which lasted only for a while and then gradually faded ().

d. And the exact representation of His nature---Jesus is an exact likeness to all that one finds in the Father. The phrase exact representation tells us that whatever ‘elements’ one finds in the Father, is precisely what one finds in the Son. They match exactly! If the Father is omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent, infinitely holy, wise, just and good, then so is the Son! Jesus said as much when Philip said, Show us the Father.” Jesus reply was He who has seen Me has seen the Father. (,) The word for representation is the basis of our word “character.” Thus, to see the character of God look at Jesus! Their genetic code is identical. Their fingerprints are the same. God the Father and God the Son are the same!

e. And upholds all things by the word of His power---”upholds” is one meaning of the word used here but it can also mean to “bear or carry along.” So we see that Jesus not only “holds all things together” as in , but also that one of his continuing tasks is to carry the universe forward until it arrives at the consummation which God has planned. He does all that by the word of His power. Initially all things were created by Him as God spoke. Now Jesus says to all things, hold together! or move along!” and it happens, just because He speaks. No wonder then, while in the days of His flesh, that He could speak and a storm would be stilled, or a sick person healed, or a fig tree wither or a dead man raised! (Illustrate with the mythological Atlas who holds up the world. Actually he was condemned to hold up the sky)

f. When He had made purification of sins---As we draw near to the end of this first sentence our writer states what the Son has done to help the world with its sin problem. He provided, or produced, or made purification of sins. This is the work of a priest and our writer will come back to this theme again. He will focus on the High Priesthood…the Better Priesthood of Jesus. He will later contrast the repeated work of the Old Covenant priest to His once for all sacrifice. Jesus accomplishes this not by the blood of bulls and goats but by His own blood…once and for all.

g. He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high---No Levitical priest could ever sin…because his work was never complete but Jesus did His work and then sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high. His atoning work was complete. The only exception to his “sitting down” is at the death of Stephen, the first Christian martyr. The right hand is the place of Highest Honor and Superiority. Chrysostom said that His standing at this time was His intense interest in the death of the first Christian martyr.

h. Having become as much better than the angels, as He has inherited a more excellent name than they---This last indication of Jesus’ superiority sets the theme for the rest of chapter one. Here we have the first mention of the word better which our writer will used no less than 13 times in this Epistle. Become better is likely what the Son did in becoming man in order to make purification of sins. While He was in the flesh, He was made a little lower than the angels ( and Hebrew 2:6-8). But He is no longer lower. He was not lower in eternity before creation, and He is not now lower. He is superior! No one doubts that angels were superior to beings (even the OT prophets). If Jesus is superior to angels, He is certainly superior to prophets.

He has inherited a more excellent name than they. The context seems to indicate that this more excellent name is the title of Son. Angels were messengers, servants…Jesus is Son!

Jesus is Superior to the Angels (1:5-2:18)

New American Standard Bible, 1995 Edition: Paragraph Version Chapter 1

5 For to which of the angels did He ever say,

“YOU ARE MY SON,

TODAY I HAVE BEGOTTEN YOU”?

And again,

“I WILL BE A FATHER TO HIM

AND HE SHALL BE A SON TO ME”?

6 And when He again brings the firstborn into bthe world, He says,

“AND LET ALL THE ANGELS OF GOD WORSHIP HIM.”

7 And of the angels He says,

“WHO MAKES HIS ANGELS WINDS,

AND HIS MINISTERS A FLAME OF FIRE.”

8 But of the Son He says,

“YOUR THRONE, O GOD, IS FOREVER AND EVER,

AND THE RIGHTEOUS SCEPTER IS THE SCEPTER OF HIS KINGDOM.

9 “YOU HAVE LOVED RIGHTEOUSNESS AND HATED LAWLESSNESS;

THEREFORE GOD, YOUR GOD, HAS ANOINTED YOU

WITH THE OIL OF GLADNESS ABOVE YOUR COMPANIONS.”

10 And,

“YOU, LORD, IN THE BEGINNING LAID THE FOUNDATION OF THE EARTH,

AND THE HEAVENS ARE THE WORKS OF YOUR HANDS;

11 THEY WILL PERISH, BUT YOU REMAIN;

AND THEY ALL WILL BECOME OLD LIKE A GARMENT,

12 AND LIKE A MANTLE YOU WILL ROLL THEM UP;

LIKE A GARMENT THEY WILL ALSO BE CHANGED.

BUT YOU ARE THE SAME,

AND YOUR YEARS WILL NOT COME TO AN END.”

13 But to which of the angels has He ever said,

“SIT AT MY RIGHT HAND,

UNTIL I MAKE YOUR ENEMIES

A FOOTSTOOL FOR YOUR FEET”?

14 Are they not all ministering spirits, sent out to render service for the sake of those who will inherit salvation?

New American Standard Bible, 1995 Edition: Paragraph Version Chapter 1

1 God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, 2 ain these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the fworld. 3 And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and bupholds all things by the word of His power. When He had made purification of sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, 4 having become as much better than the angels, as He has inherited a more excellent name than they.

5 For to which of the angels did He ever say,

“YOU ARE MY SON,

TODAY I HAVE BEGOTTEN YOU”?

And again,

“I WILL BE A FATHER TO HIM

AND HE SHALL BE A SON TO ME”?

6 And when He again brings the firstborn into bthe world, He says,

“AND LET ALL THE ANGELS OF GOD WORSHIP HIM.”

7 And of the angels He says,

“WHO MAKES HIS ANGELS WINDS,

AND HIS MINISTERS A FLAME OF FIRE.”

8 But of the Son He says,

“YOUR THRONE, O GOD, IS FOREVER AND EVER,

AND THE RIGHTEOUS SCEPTER IS THE SCEPTER OF HIS KINGDOM.

9 “YOU HAVE LOVED RIGHTEOUSNESS AND HATED LAWLESSNESS;

THEREFORE GOD, YOUR GOD, HAS ANOINTED YOU

WITH THE OIL OF GLADNESS ABOVE YOUR COMPANIONS.”

10 And,

“YOU, LORD, IN THE BEGINNING LAID THE FOUNDATION OF THE EARTH,

AND THE HEAVENS ARE THE WORKS OF YOUR HANDS;

11 THEY WILL PERISH, BUT YOU REMAIN;

AND THEY ALL WILL BECOME OLD LIKE A GARMENT,

12 AND LIKE A MANTLE YOU WILL ROLL THEM UP;

LIKE A GARMENT THEY WILL ALSO BE CHANGED.

BUT YOU ARE THE SAME,

AND YOUR YEARS WILL NOT COME TO AN END.”

13 But to which of the angels has He ever said,

“SIT AT MY RIGHT HAND,

UNTIL I MAKE YOUR ENEMIES

A FOOTSTOOL FOR YOUR FEET”?

14 Are they not all ministering spirits, sent out to render service for the sake of those who will inherit salvation?

From here to the end of chapter one our writer quotes seven different OT Scriptures to prove that the “Son” is superior to angels. (an 8th quotation is found in ). Three of these are in the form of questions. The implied answer to each of these questions is, of course, “none!” An additional question is raised in vs. 14.

God said things to Jesus He never said to angels. Why would our writer spend so much time with the subject of angels? Probably because the Jewish concept of angels had reached a level all its own. Paul’s epistle to the Colossians speaks to the error that some were holding. (, )

New American Standard Bible, 1995 Edition: Paragraph Version Chapter 2

8 See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ.

New American Standard Bible, 1995 Edition: Paragraph Version Chapter 2

18 Let no one keep adefrauding you of your prize by delighting in self-abasement and the worship of the angels, taking his stand on visions he has seen,

The Jewish Christians had their media idols. Theirs, however, were of the superhuman variety. Instead of pop musicians, talk-show hosts, and television evangelists or their favorite politicians, their preoccupation was with angels---the supernatural bearers of the word of God. But the attention they were giving to these “messengers” came at the expense of the attention they should have been giving to the message---God in Christ reconciling the world unto himself. They may have been glorifying angels to a level of divinity. More likely, they were reducing the status of Christ to that of an angel---a superhuman creature sent by God to communicate His will. Either conclusion is in error and represents a serious challenge to the unique status of Christ as the only begottn of the Father who alone is worthy of honor and praise. (Steve Hooks)

3. The Jewish Christians had their media idols. Theirs, however, were of the superhuman variety. Instead of pop musicians, talk-show hosts, and television evangelists or their favorite politicians, their preoccupation was with angels---the supernatural bearers of the word of God. But the attention they were giving to these “messengers” came at the expense of the attention they should have been giving to the message---God in Christ reconciling the world unto himself. They may have been glorifying angels to a level of divinity. More likely, they were reducing the status of Christ to that of an angel---a superhuman creature sent by God to communicate His will. Either conclusion is in error and represents a serious challenge to the unique status of Christ as the only begottn of the Father who alone is worthy of honor and praise. (Steve Hooks)

New American Standard Bible, 1995 Edition: Paragraph Version Chapter 1

5 For to which of the angels did He ever say,

“YOU ARE MY SON,

TODAY I HAVE BEGOTTEN YOU”?

And again,

“I WILL BE A FATHER TO HIM

AND HE SHALL BE A SON TO ME”?

1. It is true that sometimes angels are called “sons of God” (; ). Also Israel was referred to as God’s son (; ). Even Solomon (; ). But none of these is ever singled out and given the kind of status that is given to Jesus when He is called by God, “My Son.”

1. It is true that sometimes angels are called “sons of God” (; ). Also Israel was referred to as God’s son (; ). Even Solomon (; ). But none of these is ever singled out and given the kind of status that is given to Jesus when He is called by God, “My Son.”

Most likely the term I have begotten Thee” is a reference to the Incarnation.

3. I will be a Father to Him and He shall be a Son to Me. This is an allusion to which is considered by scholars to be a prophecy with a double reference. The first being to David’s son Solomon and the second being the Messiah.

4. Like the prophets, angels are able to speak for God, but Jesus spoke as God. The angels are God’s servants, but the Christ is God’s Son. The angels are a part of the created orer, but the Son is the creator of that order. The angels receive God’s commands, but the Son inherits God’s throne. Jesus is not to be identified with the angels; He is to be worshiped by the angels! (Steve Hooks)

New American Standard Bible, 1995 Edition: Paragraph Version Chapter 1

6 And when He again brings the firstborn into bthe world, He says,

“AND LET ALL THE ANGELS OF GOD WORSHIP HIM.”

The particular word firstborn in Hebrew culture meant more than just order. It rather meant position. It also means “chief” as in . It refers to His primacy of position, His dignity, His pre-eminence.

And let all the angels of God worship Him. The Bible is clear that only God is to be worshiped. The fact that all the angels of God are commanded to worship Jesus once again shows His superiority.

In the Revelation John fell at the feet of his angelic messenger and was told, Don’t do that; I am a fellow servant of yours and your brethren…worship God. (Revelation 19:9).

New American Standard Bible, 1995 Edition: Paragraph Version Chapter 1

7 And of the angels He says,

“WHO MAKES HIS ANGELS WINDS,

AND HIS MINISTERS A FLAME OF FIRE.”

Quote from . It indicates the place of angels in the administration of the universe.

Note that the angels are “His”, they belong to God and serve at His beck and call. They are His messengers, His ministers. Sometimes they serve as “winds” and other times they serve as “a flame of fire.” But, never are they given a throne and a scepter, nor are any of them “anointed with the oil of gladness” like the Son was!

New American Standard Bible, 1995 Edition: Paragraph Version Chapter 1

8 But of the Son He says,

“YOUR THRONE, O GOD, IS FOREVER AND EVER,

AND THE RIGHTEOUS SCEPTER IS THE SCEPTER OF HIS KINGDOM.

9 “YOU HAVE LOVED RIGHTEOUSNESS AND HATED LAWLESSNESS;

THEREFORE GOD, YOUR GOD, HAS ANOINTED YOU

WITH THE OIL OF GLADNESS ABOVE YOUR COMPANIONS.”

From , recognized by Jews as Messianic.

Note the shift in this verse to addressing Jesus as God and His throne is forever and ever. Nothing like this was ever said to any angel. He is sovereign and His reign is eternal. There is nothing temporary about His rule.

He rules with righteousness and absolute justice. Note also the present tense used in this verse. Jesus reign was not just future; it is something that was already occurring even as Hebrews was being written. This disputes those who say that His reign is totally in the future! He reigns now in the church age before the second coming. And, He will reign forever and ever. Hallelujah Chorus!

New American Standard Bible, 1995 Edition: Paragraph Version Chapter 1

10 And,

“YOU, LORD, IN THE BEGINNING LAID THE FOUNDATION OF THE EARTH,

AND THE HEAVENS ARE THE WORKS OF YOUR HANDS;

11 THEY WILL PERISH, BUT YOU REMAIN;

AND THEY ALL WILL BECOME OLD LIKE A GARMENT,

12 AND LIKE A MANTLE YOU WILL ROLL THEM UP;

LIKE A GARMENT THEY WILL ALSO BE CHANGED.

BUT YOU ARE THE SAME,

AND YOUR YEARS WILL NOT COME TO AN END.”

From . Again the writer is referring to Jesus as Lord.

Jesus is the agent of creation.

Second Law of thermodynamics is that the universe is running down. Things are decaying, growing old. The process is slow but certain. The universe changes, but Jesus does not! (). 8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

New American Standard Bible, 1995 Edition: Paragraph Version Chapter 1

13 But to which of the angels has He ever said,

“SIT AT MY RIGHT HAND,

UNTIL I MAKE YOUR ENEMIES

A FOOTSTOOL FOR YOUR FEET”?

No angel has ever sat where Jesus is sitting! He will sit at the Father’s right hand until it is time for the second coming and the final resurrection.

The image of the enemies a footstool for Thy feet is a picture drawn from the ancient practice of a conquering kings sitting on his throne, and forcing the vanquished to like on the floor while the conqueror uses him as a footstool for his feet. ().

New American Standard Bible, 1995 Edition: Paragraph Version Chapter 1

14 Are they not all ministering spirits, sent out to render service for the sake of those who will inherit salvation?

Unlike the previous questions that are answered with “NONE” this one is answered with a “YES.” The angels are servants. They are spirits who minister. They are the King’s agents, the King’s messengers, the King’s servants.

The angels are, at best, but servants whom the King sends out repeatedly as the occasion demands. The people whom the angels are sent to help are “those who will inherit salvation. It is awe inspiring to contemplate what this verse asserts. Angels, highest as well as lowest, are servants who minister as Jesus wills them to. And more remarkable still, their tasks are performed to benefit us human beings who are the heirs of salvation!

While angels are surely special and deserving of appreciation they are but servants. The Son is far superior to any and all angels! So goes the argument of our writer to the Hebrews!