Hebrews
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Hebrews 1
Hebrews 1
1God, having of old time spoken unto the fathers in the prophets by divers portions and in divers manners,
1God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,
Commentary · verse 1
2hath 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;
2Hath 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;
Commentary · verse 2
Paul placed Jesus in the line of the prophets God used to speak to His people. Paul called this latest Prophet God's Son and taught some Doctrine: Jesus is heir of all things and God created the worlds by Jesus.
3who 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;
3Who 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;
Commentary · verse 3
Doctrine: Christ is the "very image of his substance" - Christ is Right and Just in His Nature, just as God the Father is Right and Just in His Nature. Christ purged our sins and sat down on God's right Hand.
4having become by so much better than the angels, as he hath inherited a more excellent name than they.
4Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.
Commentary · verse 4
In Romans 9, we saw a critical perspective to have in order to understand Paul is how Paul preached sermons. Paul had a two step method for presenting his sermons:
- 1st Step: Present the premise (effect) and reason (cause).
- 2nd Step: Support it with scripture, usually three verses.
Paul used this first sentence, as his premise, to transition the Jewish Christians from believing that God spoke through prophets to God spoke through the last and greatest Prophet: One better than the angels.
Paul's reason for his premise was that Jesus was a Prophet that was greater than the angels. The Jewish believers knew that prophets (e.g., Daniel) were humbled in the presence of angels. As was proven with Paul's previous epistles and his sermons recorded in the Book of Acts, Paul followed up his premise and reason by referencing supporting scriptures...
5For 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?
5For 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?
Commentary · verse 5
We have seen that Paul did reference many books of the scriptures when he supported his premises. However, we have seen the three most often referenced by Paul were the Books of Psalms, Deuteronomy, and Isaiah. Here, Paul supported his premise with Psalm 89:26. God has not said to any angel "Thou art my Son, This day have I begotten thee" or " I will be to him a Father, And he shall be to me a Son." God said these things about Jesus.
6And when he again bringeth in the firstborn into the world he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him.
6And again, when he bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him.
Commentary · verse 6
Paul referenced Deuteronomy 32:43. Christ was the firstborn into the world and God said to let all angels worship Him. Christ being the "firstborn" was not a reference to when He was born of Mary. In this case, it meant Christ was the first-begotten.
7And of the angels he saith, Who maketh his angels winds, And his ministers a flame of fire:
7And of the angels he saith, Who maketh his angels spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire.
Commentary · verse 7
Paul referenced Psalm 104:4 to prove the excellency of the angels, thereby making Jesus even more excellent.
8but of the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever; And the sceptre of uprightness is the sceptre of thy kingdom.
9Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; Therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee With the oil of gladness above thy fellows.
8But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom.
9Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.
Commentary · verses 8-9
Paul referenced Psalm 45:6-7. God the Father, speaking to Jesus, said: "Thy throne, O God, is for ever..." God the Father called Jesus God! God testified of Jesus as God. The following three verses were a reference to Psalm 102:25-27.
10And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning didst lay the foundation of the earth, And the heavens are the works of thy hands:
10And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands:
Commentary · verse 10
Doctrine: Christ laid the foundation of the earth and the heavens are a work of His Hands.
11They shall perish; but thou continuest: And they all shall wax old as doth a garment;
11They shall perish; but thou remainest; and they all shall wax old as doth a garment;
Commentary · verse 11
Doctrine: Christ is eternal.
12And 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.
12And as a vesture shalt thou fold them up, and they shall be changed: but thou art the same, and thy years shall not fail.
Commentary · verse 12
Doctrine: We will change but Christ will remain the same. Christ will always be Right and Just. Believers will change by losing their natural man/fleshly nature.
13But 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?
13But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool?
Commentary · verse 13
Paul referenced Psalm 110:1. God has not said to an angel, "Sit thou on my right hand, Till I make thine enemies the footstool of thy feet," but He has to Christ.
14Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to do service for the sake of them that shall inherit salvation?
14Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?
Commentary · verse 14
Theme of Chapter 1: Paul established that Christ was greater than all the previous prophets and greater than the angels through the method we have previously seen from Paul: premise, reason, and support from multiple scriptures.
Paul opened this letter to the Jews by referencing how God spoke to His people as documented in His Word: through prophets. However, Paul also added the qualifier that God was not limited to always using the same manner. Paul stated God used various ways.