Bible Commentaries
Hebrews 1

Introduction

GOD SPEAKS THROUGH HIS SON

-- HEBREWS ONE --

Hebrews one is designed to cause us to understand the greatness of Jesus. He is the only one through whom God speaks today. God formerly spoke by the prophets. Now He has spoken by his Son. This epistle or letter is designed to keep people from turning from Christianity. In order to accomplish this goal the superiority of Jesus is show. It is likewise clearly proven that Christianity is superior to the Mosaic system.

The entire purpose of Hebrews chapter one is to show the exalted nature of the Son of God. Jesus is addressed as God, and His throne is said to be for ever and ever. Jesus, the author of the Christian system, is greater than Moses and greater than angles.

The Christian system is superior to any other system because it centers in the one true God and His only begotten Son, Jesus the Christ. This Jesus is, (1) Prophet -- He serves as God's spokesman ( Heb_1:1-2 ), (2) Priest -- He makes purification for sins ( Heb_1:3 ), and (3) King -- sitting on the right hand of God. ( Heb_1:3 )

Let us learn of the superiority of Jesus:

Verses 1-3

God's word was spoken through His Son -- Heb_1:1-3 : One major difference between the law and gospel has to do with the manner of their revelation. God's revelation of the law was at different times. God's revelation was given before the flood to Adam, Enoch, Noah and others. After the flood His revelation was given to Abraham, Jacob, Moses, and the prophets.

God not only communicated the law at different times but also in different or divers ways. He sometimes communicated His will by visions, sometimes by an audible voice, sometimes by legible characters written by His own hand, as when He wrote the Ten Commandments on tables of stone, sometimes by Urim and Thummim, and sometimes by signs from heaven.

In the last days God gave a perfect, and likewise a final revelation of His mind for a lost world. This revelation was given through His Son. He, "Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high." ( Heb_1:2-3 )

The New Testament is the revelation which God made by his Son. He is the most excellent messenger that was ever sent into the world, far superior to all the patriarchs, prophet and angles. The superiority of Jesus is seen in the fact that: (1) God appointed Him to be heir of all things. (2) By him God made the worlds, both visible and invisible, the heavens and the earth. (3) He upholds all things by the word of His power. He keeps the world from dissolving. It was written of Jesus that, "He is before all things, and by him all things consist." ( Col_1:17 )

Verses 4-7

God's Son is superior to the angels -- Heb_1:4-7 : The Lord Jesus Christ is pre-eminent. He is superior to the prophets and to the angels. Peter wrote of Jesus that He, "is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him." ( 1Pe_3:22 ) He has a more excellent name than angels. They are called ministering spirits or servants. He is called God's only begotten Son.

God demanded that even the angels worship Jesus. "And again, when he bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him." ( Heb_1:6 ) He is the Lord Jesus Christ. He is the Mediator of the New Testament. In His own person Jesus is God blessed for ever, the one that is worthy of our honor and worship. "Let all the angels of God worship him." Jesus is greater than the angels, and thus His word is what we are to obey.

Verses 8-12

God's Son is upon the established throne -- Heb_1:8-12 : Observe what God said to His Son, Jesus, "But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom." ( Heb_1:8 ) In Hebrews chapter one we are taught that Jesus should be on the throne because: (1) He is the "Son" of God ( Heb_1:5 ), (2) He is the "firstbotten" of God ( Heb_1:6 ), (3) He is "God" ( Heb_1:8-9 ) and (4) He is "Lord" of all. ( Heb_1:10 )

Jesus should be on the throne because He is God. His part in the creation proves His Deity. "Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands." ( Heb_1:10 ) The words of Heb_1:10-13 are taken from Psa_102:25-27 . To apply these words to Jesus which were spoken of Jehovah proves conclusively that Jesus is Divine.

God said, "Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever." If God the Father declares Jesus to be God, He must be really and truly be God. Earthly kings are often unrighteous and their thrones fall. The sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of Christ's kingdom. All the laws of the Son's kingdom are just, righteous and holy. Jesus is King of kings because of His love for righteousness and hatred of sin.

Christ's kingdom is not a future kingdom for God declares Him to have, (1) A throne, (2) A kingdom, and (3) A sceptre of that kingdom. This kingdom is forever. Christ Jesus did what He did for man with gladness and cheerfulness. These same attitudes must characterize our service to God!

We are better people if we follow the guidance of God's Son. We must follow Jesus as, (1) Our sympathizing "High Priest" ( Heb_4:14-16 ), (2) The "Mediator" of our New Covenant. ( Heb_8:6 ), and (3) the "author and finisher" of our faith. ( Heb_12:2 )

Verses 13-14

God's angels are servants, not sons -- Heb_1:13-14 : The superiority of Christ over angels is seen in the fact that God never said to the angels what He said to Christ. He said to Jesus, "Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool?" ( Heb_1:13 ) He never said that to an angel. Angels are simply "ministering spirits, sent forth to minister." ( Heb_1:14 ) Angels are servants to the church of Christ or to those who are heirs of salvation.

Christ Jesus has His enemies. There are those that are, (1) Enemies of God's supremacy, (2) Enemies to God's cause, (3) Enemies to His people, and (4) Enemies to His church. They will not have God to reign over them. Let us serve God faithful least we also be made God's footstool.

Heirs of salvation have God's word in their heart. They have obeyed and are obeying His will. They have Heard the gospel ( Joh_6:44-45 ), Believed in Jesus ( Joh_8:24 ), Repented of sins ( Luk_13:1-5 ), Confessed Christ as Lord ( Mat_10:32-33 ), and been Baptized. ( Mar_16:15-16 ). Those who are heirs of salvation have stayed faithful to God. ( Mat_10:22 )