The Supremacy of the Divine Son

Introduction to Hebrews

The book of Hebrews is a literary and spiritual masterpiece in the canon of Scripture. As George Guthrie says, “more than any other NT book, Hebrews, from beginning to end, preaches the OT.” The author’s aim is convince his hearers to persevere in following Christ and standing with His church.

In this dense letter of exhortation and admonition, the author preaches Christ for his 1st century audience and gives us sound basis for better understanding Christ based on his use of Old Testament texts and topics.

I. God’s revelation in the past (v. 1)

II. The Son is God’s final revelation. (vs. 2a-4)

Hebrews 1:2 ESV

2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world.

A. God has appointed Him the Heir of all things (v. 2b)

Psalm 2:8 ESV

8 Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage, and the ends of the earth your possession.

B. God created the world through Him (v. 2c)

Hebrews 1:3 ESV

3 He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,

C. The Son is the radiance of God’s glory (v. 3a)

Radiance – Brightness from a source

If the meaning is ‘radiance,’ then one may translate this phrase in He 1:3 as ‘he shines with God’s glory’ or even ‘God’s glory shines through him.’

D. The Son is the exact imprint of God’s nature. (v. 3b)

2 Corinthians 4:4 ESV

4 In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

Colossians 1:15 ESV

15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.

Philippians 2:6 ESV

6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped,

E. The Son upholds the universe by the word of His power (v. 3c)

F. The Son made purification for sin (v. 3d)

G. The Son sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high. (v. 3e)

Mark 16:19 ESV

19 So then the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God.

H. The Son is superior to angels having inherited a more excellent name. (v. 4)

Hebrews 1:4 ESV

4 having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.

2 Samuel 7:13 ESV

13 He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.

Philippians 2:9–11 ESV

9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

III. OT Quotes contrast the Son’s superiority over the angels. (vs. 5-14)

A. You are my Son.

Hebrews 1:5 ESV

5 For to which of the angels did God ever say, “You are my Son, today I have begotten you”? Or again, “I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son”?

Psalm 2:7 ESV

7 I will tell of the decree: The Lord said to me, “You are my Son; today I have begotten you.

B. I will be to him a father and He shall be to me a son.

2 Samuel 7:14 ESV

14 I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son. When he commits iniquity, I will discipline him with the rod of men, with the stripes of the sons of men,

C. The firstborn Son of God is worshipped by the angels.

Hebrews 1:6 ESV

6 And again, when he brings the firstborn into the world, he says, “Let all God’s angels worship him.”

Deuteronomy 32:43 ESV

43 “Rejoice with him, O heavens; bow down to him, all gods, for he avenges the blood of his children and takes vengeance on his adversaries. He repays those who hate him and cleanses his people’s land.”

Psalm 97:7 ESV

7 All worshipers of images are put to shame, who make their boast in worthless idols; worship him, all you gods!

D. The angels are ministering spirits to the Son.

Hebrews 1:7 ESV

7 Of the angels he says, “He makes his angels winds, and his ministers a flame of fire.”

Psalm 104:4 ESV

4 he makes his messengers winds, his ministers a flaming fire.

E. The Son is God, sits on the throne of God, has the character of God and has been anointed above all others. (vs. 8-9)

Hebrews 1:8–9 ESV

8 But of the Son he says, “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, the scepter of uprightness is the scepter of your kingdom. 9 You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness beyond your companions.”

Psalm 45:6–7 ESV

6 Your throne, O God, is forever and ever. The scepter of your kingdom is a scepter of uprightness; 7 you have loved righteousness and hated wickedness. Therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness beyond your companions;

F. The Son is Creator of the earth and heavens, the Ender of the old creation, and Creator of the new creation. (v. 10-12)

Hebrews 1:10–12 ESV

10 And, “You, Lord, laid the foundation of the earth in the beginning, and the heavens are the work of your hands; 11 they will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment, 12 like a robe you will roll them up, like a garment they will be changed. But you are the same, and your years will have no end.”

Psalm 102:25–27 ESV

25 Of old you laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. 26 They will perish, but you will remain; they will all wear out like a garment. You will change them like a robe, and they will pass away, 27 but you are the same, and your years have no end.

Psalm 104:1–2 ESV

1 Bless the Lord, O my soul! O Lord my God, you are very great! You are clothed with splendor and majesty, 2 covering yourself with light as with a garment, stretching out the heavens like a tent.

G. The Son sits at the right hand of God and His enemies are currently being made a footstool for His feet. The angels serve Him! (vs. 13-14)

Hebrews 1:13 ESV

13 And to which of the angels has he ever said, “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet”?

Psalm 110:1 ESV

1 The Lord says to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool.”

Hebrews 1:14 ESV

14 Are they not all ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation?

Psalm 103:20–21 ESV

20 Bless the Lord, O you his angels, you mighty ones who do his word, obeying the voice of his word! 21 Bless the Lord, all his hosts, his ministers, who do his will!