Bible Study Hebrews 1
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Hebrews 1 · WEB

God Has Spoken by His Son

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God, having in the past spoken to the fathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways,
2has at the end of these days spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom also he made the worlds.
3His Son is the radiance of his glory, the very image of his substance, and upholding all things by the word of his power, who, when he had by himself purified us of our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high,
4having become so much better than the angels as the more excellent name he has inherited is better than theirs.
5For to which of the angels did he say at any time, "You are my Son. Today I have become your father?" and again, "I will be to him a Father, and he will be to me a Son?"
6When he again brings in the firstborn into the world he says, "Let all the angels of God worship him."
7Of the angels he says, "He makes his angels winds, and his servants a flame of fire."
8But of the Son he says, "Your throne, O God, is forever and ever. The scepter of uprightness is the scepter of your Kingdom.
9You have loved righteousness and hated iniquity; therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness above your fellows."
10And, "You, Lord, in the beginning, laid the foundation of the earth. The heavens are the works of your hands.
11They will perish, but you continue. They all will grow old like a garment does.
12You will roll them up like a mantle, and they will be changed; but you are the same. Your years won't fail."
13But which of the angels has he told at any time, "Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies the footstool of your feet?"
14Aren't they all serving spirits, sent out to do service for the sake of those who will inherit salvation?
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Summary

The letter opens with one of the most majestic statements in Scripture: God, who once spoke through prophets in fragmentary ways, has now spoken finally and fully through his Son. The author piles up titles and qualities to show the Son's surpassing greatness — heir of all things, creator of the worlds, radiance of God's glory, exact representation of his being, sustainer of the universe, and the one who made purification for sins before sitting at God's right hand. Through a chain of seven Old Testament quotations, the author proves that the Son is far superior to the angels, who are merely ministering spirits.

Themes

  • The finality and fullness of God's revelation in the Son
  • The deity and pre-existence of Christ
  • Christ as Creator and Sustainer of all things
  • Christ's superiority over the angels
  • The exaltation of Christ at God's right hand

Key verses

  • Heb 1:1-2 — “God, having in the past spoken to the fathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, has at the end of these days spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom also he made the worlds.”
  • Heb 1:14 — “Aren't they all serving spirits, sent out to do service for the sake of those who will inherit salvation?”
  • Heb 1:3 — “His Son is the radiance of his glory, the very image of his substance, and upholding all things by the word of his power.”
  • Heb 1:8 — “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever. The scepter of uprightness is the scepter of your Kingdom.”

Context & background

The letter to the Hebrews was written c. AD 60-70 to Jewish Christians (likely in Jerusalem, modern Israel, or Rome, modern Italy) who were tempted to revert to Judaism under persecution. The author is unknown — early suggestions include Paul, Apollos, or Barnabas. In Second Temple Judaism, angels were highly venerated as mediators of the Law given at Mount Sinai (Sinai Peninsula, modern Egypt) and as agents of God's presence; some Jewish sects (and later Christian heresies) even worshipped them. The author opens by establishing Christ's absolute supremacy over every angelic being, using a "catena" of seven Old Testament citations drawn primarily from the Psalms and 2 Samuel.

Cross-references

  • 2 Samuel 7:14 — Davidic covenant promise — "I will be to him a Father" — quoted in v.5
  • Colossians 1:15-17 — Christ as image of God, creator and sustainer of all
  • John 1:1-3 — Echoes the Son as eternal Word and agent of creation
  • Psalm 110:1 — "Sit at my right hand" — the central royal psalm quoted in v.13
  • Psalm 2:7 — "You are my Son. Today I have become your father" — quoted in v.5

Check your reading

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  1. Observe

    How did God speak to the fathers in the past, and how has he spoken "at the end of these days"?

  2. Observe

    What does the author say the role of angels is?

  3. Interpret

    What does the phrase "the radiance of his glory, the very image of his substance" (v. 3) say about the Son's relationship to the Father?

  4. Interpret

    Why does the author begin by demonstrating Christ's superiority over angels rather than over Moses or the priests?

  5. Apply

    The author says God has now spoken finally and fully through his Son (v. 2). What does this mean for where you look first when you want to hear from God?

  6. Apply

    Knowing that angels are "serving spirits" assigned to those who will inherit salvation, how should this shape a believer's sense of God's personal care and protection?

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