Hebrews 1:3

Who being--by pre-existent and essential being. brightness of his glory--Greek, the effulgence of His glory. "Light of (from) light" [Nicene Creed]. "Who is so senseless as to doubt concerning the eternal being of the Son? For when has one seen light without effulgence?" [ATHANASIUS, Against Arius, Orations, 2]. "The sun is never seen without effulgence, nor the Father without the Son" [THEOPHYLACT]. It is because He is the brightness, &c., and because He upholds, &c., that He sat down on the right hand, &c. It was a return to His divine glory (Joh 6:62; Joh 17:5; compare Wisdom 7:25-26, where similar things are said of wisdom). express image--"impress." But veiled in the flesh. The Sun of God in glory beams Too bright for us to scan; But we can face the light that streams For the mild Son of man. (Co2 3:18) of his person--Greek, "of His substantial essence"; "hypostasis." upholding all things--Greek, "the universe." Compare Col 1:15, Col 1:17, Col 1:20, which enumerates the three facts in the same order as here. by the word--Therefore the Son of God is a Person; for He has the word [BENGEL]. His word is God's word (Heb 11:3). of his power--"The word" is the utterance which comes from His (the Son's) power, and gives expression to it. by himself--omitted in the oldest manuscripts. purged--Greek, "made purification of . . . sins," namely, in His atonement, which graciously covers the guilt of sin. "Our" is omitted in the oldest manuscripts. Sin was the great uncleanness in God's sight, of which He has effected the purgation by His sacrifice [ALFORD]. Our nature, as guilt-laden, could not, without our great High Priest's blood of atonement sprinkling the heavenly mercy seat, come into immediate contact with God. EBRARD says, "The mediation between man and God, who was pre…

In this chapter we have a twofold comparison stated: I. Between the evangelical and legal dispensation; and the excellency of the gospel above that of the law is asserted and proved (Heb 1:1-3). II. Between the glory of Christ and that of the highest creatures, the angels; where the pre-eminence is justly given to the Lord Jesus Christ, and clearly demonstrated to belong to him (Heb 1:4 to the end).

1:3 The word translated radiates, found only here in the New Testament, includes an idea of intense brightness. God’s own glory is the glorious manifestation of his presence (Exod 16:7; 33:18; Isa 40:5). The Son’s glory is an expression of God’s glory—the Son of God manifests the person and presence of God (Luke 9:32; John 1:14; 2:11; 17:5; Rom 8:17). • The term translated expresses, used only here in the New Testament, was used of a distinguishing mark imprinted on an object such as a coin. The Son gives a clear picture of the very character of God (John 1:18; Phil 2:6; Col 1:15). • the mighty power of his command (literally his powerful word): God’s word is the powerful, dynamic force that created and governs the world (Heb 11:3; Ps 33:6-11). Elsewhere the Son is called “the Word of God” (Rev 19:13; see also John 1:1-18). • cleansed us from our sins: See Heb 9:11–10:18. • he sat down: This clause is an allusion to Ps 110:1 (see also Heb 1:13; 8:1; 10:12; 12:2), which foretold the exaltation of Christ after his suffering (see Matt 22:44; Acts 2:33; 1 Cor 15:25). The right hand of God indicates high honor, rank, and position (see 1 Kgs 2:19; Pss 16:11; 45:4, 9; 80:17).