Sermon Tone Analysis

Introduction

Exordium Passage

David Allen - The New American Commentary

The opening paragraph of Hebrews may be the stylistic apex of the entire Greek New Testament.

With the possible exception of the prologue to Luke’s Gospel, nothing quite like the lofty rhetorical and literary expression of Heb 1:1–4 occurs elsewhere in the New Testament.

The intricate structural organization of the clauses, phrases, and words that constitute the single four-verse sentence reveals the author’s literary skill.

The structural weight of the entire 72 words in Greek rests upon a single finite verb elalēsen and its subject ho theos: “God … has spoken.”

The author’s use of rhetorical techniques such as alliteration, meter, rhythm, phonetic and semantic parallelism, syntactical/semantic repetition, and chiasm are all evidenced in this sentence.

Thiselton claims that these verses “provide one of the most arresting beginnings possible, combining elegance, alliteration, rhythm, rhetorical artistry, and unstoppable force with probably the most sophisticated and stylish Greek in the entire New Testament.”

The doctrinal sweep of these verses is breathtaking, making a major contribution to our understanding of the biblical doctrines of revelation, christology, soteriology, creation, and eschatology.

Background Information

Outline

Hebrews 1:1-4 - God has Spoken

Hebrews 1:1-2a - God Spoke

Hebrews 1:1 - Through the Prophets

Hebrews 1:2a - Through His Son

Hebrews 1:2b - The Son Appointed

Hebrews 1:2c - The Son is Creator

Hebrews 1:3a - The Nature of the Son

Hebrews 1:3b - The Power of the Son

Hebrews 1:3c - The Work of the Son

Hebrews 1:3d-4 - The Position of the Son

Purpose of Book

Christ, who has accomplished salvation through His atoning sacrifice, is greater than all things; therefore, persevere in true faith and encourage others to do likewise

Main point of Passage

God has spoken through the Son who is superior to the angels

Greek Text - One Sentence

Hebrews 1:1 - God Spoke: Through the Prophets

Long ago, at many times and in many ways,

Time

Long ago

① pert.

to a point of time in the past, long ago, formerly

At many times and in many ways

The Old Testament was written over a period of approximately 1,800 years in 39 different books

Prophets

Mouth-to-mouth

Dreams

Visions

Theophanies

Writings with different genres

God spoke

Speaker

God the Father

God is the great agent of Genesis 1, the One constantly acting and speaking.

This reminds us that creation is his work, and our knowledge of God depends completely on his voluntary act of self-revelation.

To our fathers

Recipients

The forefathers of the Israelite faith

By the Prophets

Messengers

Hebrews 1:2a - God Spoke: Through His Son

Hebrews 1:2 (ESV)

2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son

But in these last days

Time

Last days - Eschatology

The age between the first coming of the Messiah and his second coming

He has spoken

Speaker

To us

Recipients

By His Son

Messenger

His works, person, and word reveals the Father

Revelation for eternal salvation has become complete

Hebrews 1:2b - The Son Appointed

Hebrews 1:2 (ESV)

Whom he appointed the heir of all things

Hebrews 1:2c - The Son is Creator

Hebrews 1:2 (ESV)

Through whom also he created the world.

Created everything - time, space, seen, unseen

As creator, Jesus is the Lord of all

Hebrews 1:3a - The Nature of Christ

Hebrews 1:3 (ESV)

He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature,

He is the radiance of the glory of God

NOT REFLECTION, but RADIANCE

Martyn Lloyd-Jones

“A servant may be able to say everything that is right about his lord and master, he may know him well and intimately, but he can never represent him in the way that the son can.

The son is a manifestation of the father by being what he is.

Thus our Lord himself, while here on earth, represented and manifested the name of God in a way that is incomparable and greater than all others, because he is the Son of God.”

The exact imprint of His nature

Imprint

Impression or mark made by coins

He is the true embodiment of God Himself - He is the same essence

Nature

① the essential or basic structure/nature of an entity,

Hebrews 1:3b - The Power of Christ

Hebrews 1:3 (ESV)

And he upholds the universe by the word of his power.

Upholds the universe

Upholds

⑤ to cause to continue in a state or condition, sustain,

By the word of His power

The Son moves everything forward to its appointed end

Hebrews 1:3c - The Work of Christ

Hebrews 1:3 (ESV)

After making purification for sins,