Hebrews1

God, who formerly spoke through prophets, has in these last days spoken through His Son, who is the heir of all things, the creator of the worlds, and the brightness of God's glory. This Son, after purging sins, ascended to sit at the right hand of the Majesty on high. He is established as superior to angels, possessing a more excellent name and an eternal throne, while angels are merely ministering spirits.
Listen to this chapter
0:00 0:00

God's Final Word in His Son

1
God, having of old time spoken unto the fathers in the prophets by divers portions and in divers manners, ​
2
hath at the end of these days spoken unto us in his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom also he made the worlds; ​
3
who being the effulgence of his glory, and the very image of his substance, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had made purification of sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high; ​
4
having become by so much better than the angels, as he hath inherited a more excellent name than they. ​

The Son is Superior to Angels

5
For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, This day have I begotten thee? and again, I will be to him a Father, And he shall be to me a Son? ​
6
And when he again bringeth in the firstborn into the world he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him. ​
7
And of the angels he saith, Who maketh his angels winds, And his ministers a flame of fire: ​
8
but of the Sonhe saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever; And the sceptre of uprightness is the sceptre of thy kingdom. ​
9
Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; Therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee With the oil of gladness above thy fellows. ​
10
And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning didst lay the foundation of the earth, And the heavens are the works of thy hands: ​
11
They shall perish; but thou continuest: And they all shall wax old as doth a garment;
12
And as a mantle shalt thou roll them up, As a garment, and they shall be changed: But thou art the same, And thy years shall not fail. ​
13
But of which of the angels hath he said at any time, Sit thou on my right hand, Till I make thine enemies the footstool of thy feet? ​
14
Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to do service for the sake of them that shall inherit salvation? ​

Study Notes for Hebrews 1

Verse 1

The opening verses contrast the Old Covenant revelation, which was partial and varied ('sundry times and in divers manners'), with the complete, final revelation delivered through the Son.

Verse 2

The phrase 'these last days' signifies the Messianic era inaugurated by Christ. The Son is presented not only as the agent of revelation but also as the Creator ('made the worlds') and sovereign Lord ('heir of all things').

Verse 3

This verse presents Christ’s essential nature: he is the 'brightness of his glory' and the 'express image' (Gk: *charakter*, the exact imprint) of God’s being. His work includes sustaining creation and achieving redemption ('purged our sins').

Verse 4

This verse serves as a transition, stating the conclusion—that the Son is superior to the angels—which the following verses will prove using a series of Old Testament quotations.

Verse 5

The first two citations (Psalm 2:7 and 2 Samuel 7:14) establish Christ's unique, eternal status as the Son, a title and relationship never conferred upon an angel.

Verse 6

The term 'firstbegotten' emphasizes Christ’s preeminence and unique status over creation. The command for 'all the angels of God worship him' (a reference to Deut. 32:43 LXX) confirms his deity.

Verse 7

Quoting Psalm 104:4, the author describes angels as created, functional servants ('spirits,' 'flame of fire'), highlighting their role as temporary messengers, subordinate to the Son.

Verse 8

Quoting Psalm 45:6, the Father addresses the Son directly as 'O God' (*Theos*), providing undeniable Old Testament proof of the Son's divinity, eternal throne, and righteous rule.

Verse 9

'Above thy fellows' implies Christ’s anointing and exaltation are superior to those of human kings, priests, or even angelic beings.

Verse 10

Quoting Psalm 102:25-27, the author attributes the work of creation and the foundation of the earth directly to the Son (addressed here as 'Lord'), further establishing his divine nature.

Verse 12

This verse contrasts the mutable, perishable nature of creation with the immutable, unchanging, and eternal nature of the Son: 'thou art the same, and thy years shall not fail.'

Verse 13

The final citation (Psalm 110:1) demonstrates the Son’s ultimate exaltation and authority, seated at the right hand of God—a position of ruling power never offered to any angel.

Verse 14

This rhetorical question summarizes the angels' true identity: they are merely 'ministering spirits,' whose function is to serve believers ('heirs of salvation'), confirming their subordinate status to the ruling Son.

Use ← → arrow keys to navigate
Settings

Reading Style

Typeface

Font Size 19px

Options