THE RADIANCE OF GOD’S GLORY

Passage: Hebrews 1:1-14

Key verse: 3

NIV

God’s Final Word: His Son

1 In the past God spoke(A) to our ancestors through the prophets(B) at many times and in various ways,(C) 2 but in these last days(D) he has spoken to us by his Son,(E) whom he appointed heir(F) of all things, and through whom(G) also he made the universe.(H) 3 The Son is the radiance of God’s glory(I) and the exact representation of his being,(J) sustaining all things(K) by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins,(L) he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.(M) 4 So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs.(N)

The Son Superior to Angels

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

“You are my Son;
    today I have become your Father”[a]?(O)

Or again,

“I will be his Father,
    and he will be my Son”[b]?(P)

6 And again, when God brings his firstborn(Q) into the world,(R) he says,

“Let all God’s angels worship him.”[c](S)

7 In speaking of the angels he says,

“He makes his angels spirits,
    and his servants flames of fire.”[d](T)

8 But about the Son he says,

“Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever;(U)
    a scepter of justice will be the scepter of your kingdom.
9 You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness;
    therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions(V)
    by anointing you with the oil(W) of joy.”[e](X)

10 He also says,

“In the beginning, Lord, you laid the foundations of the earth,
    and the heavens are the work of your hands.(Y)
11 They will perish, but you remain;
    they will all wear out like a garment.(Z)
12 You will roll them up like a robe;
    like a garment they will be changed.
But you remain the same,(AA)
    and your years will never end.”[f](AB)

13 To which of the angels did God ever say,

“Sit at my right hand(AC)
    until I make your enemies
    a footstool(AD) for your feet”[g]?(AE)

14 Are not all angels ministering spirits(AF) sent to serve those who will inherit(AG) salvation?(AH)

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Footnotes
  1. Hebrews 1:5 Psalm 2:7
  2. Hebrews 1:5 2 Samuel 7:14; 1 Chron. 17:13
  3. Hebrews 1:6 Deut. 32:43 (see Dead Sea Scrolls and Septuagint)
  4. Hebrews 1:7 Psalm 104:4
  5. Hebrews 1:9 Psalm 45:6,7
  6. Hebrews 1:12 Psalm 102:25-27
  7. Hebrews 1:13 Psalm 110:1
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

The Supremacy of God's Son

1 Long ago, at many times and (A)in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, 2 but (B)in these last days (C)he has spoken to us by (D)his Son, whom he appointed (E)the heir of all things, (F)through whom also he created (G)the world. 3 He is the radiance of the glory of God and (H)the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. (I)After making purification for sins, (J)he sat down (K)at the right hand of the Majesty on high, 4 having become as much superior to angels as the name (L)he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.

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

(M)“You are my Son,
    today I have begotten you”?

Or again,

(N)“I will be to him a father,
    and he shall be to me a son”?

6 And again, when he brings (O)the firstborn into the world, he says,

(P)“Let all God's angels worship him.”

7 Of the angels he says,

(Q)“He makes his angels winds,
    and his ministers a flame of fire.”

8 But of the Son he says,

(R)“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, (S)has anointed you
    with (T)the oil of gladness beyond your companions.”

10 And,

(U)“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.[a]
But you are (V)the same,
    and your years will have no end.”

13 And to which of the angels has he ever said,

(W)“Sit at my right hand
    (X)until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet”?

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

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Footnotes
  1. Hebrews 1:12 Some manuscripts omit like a garment
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

INTRODUCTION TO HEBREWS

The book of Hebrews is assumed to have been written by either Paul or Barnabas. It describes the superiority of Jesus Christ, the covenant he has established, and the basis of the life of a believer.

Hebrews 1:1-1

:18 is doctrinal in its approach. In this section, Jesus is revealed to be superior in every way, whether to angels or in the priestly service that he did through the offering of himself for the sin of the world. By his coming, his life, and his death, Jesus bound believers to God for all eternity in a new and superior covenant. He ruled over the powers of sin and death. He is demonstrated in every way to be superior—to be God’s own.

Hebrews 1

:19-13:25 is practical. Here we learn the superiority of the life of faith given to believers. It is a life that was practiced in Israel’s history by the Old Testament heroes from Abraham through the prophets. It was testified by them. They are a shining example for what it is to live by faith in a covenant relationship with God. Through faith we have perfect access to God. 

God had revealed himself to the people of Israel throughout their history. He delivered them from their bondage in Egypt, led them by the pillars of cloud and fire, and gave them his word at the holy mountain. Whether they succeeded or failed, God never failed to reveal his love and faithfulness to them. Now, during these last days, Jesus, the Son of God, is the perfect revelation of God’s glory to all people. Through him, all things were created, and by his word, all things are sustained. God is perfectly revealed as the one who provides purification to sinners. Jesus is the Son. He is incomparably superior in all creation for he is the radiance and exact representation of God himself.

The author testifies to the Son’s superiority by comparing him to angels. Angels were highly revered by the Jews at this time. Since Jesus is the Son of God, how much greater is he than angels! The angels are his, and they worship him. The Son’s power and righteousness are eternal. God set him above all things for all eternity because he provided an inheritance of salvation for God’s people. Jesus is the perfect representation of our God.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for revealing yourself through your Son. Help me to look only to Jesus to know your eternal greatness.

One Word: Jesus, the radiance of God’s glory