RSV ~ Hebrews 1 Notes
Heb 1:1-4 | ISB Notes
Hebrews opens with a contrast between two periods of history: the past, where the revelation of God through the prophets was piecemeal and provisional, and the present, where the disclosure of his plan through the Son is complete and definitive. No new revelation will be given to supplant or surpass the faith that was âonce for all delivered to the saintsâ (Jude 3). All has been finalized through Christ, who is the divine Creator (Heb 1:2), Sustainer (1:3), and Redeemer of the world (1:3) (CCC 65, 320).
Heb 1:1 | ISB Notes
many and various ways: OT revelation came at many different times (primeval, patriarchal, Mosaic, etc.) and in many different ways (dreams, visions, theophanies, etc.).
God spoke: A towering theme in Hebrews, linked with divinely sworn oaths (3:11; 6:17-18; 7:21) and with the divine voice speaking in the Scriptures (1:5, 7, 13; 2:11-12; 3:7; 4:3-5; etc.).
Heb 1:2 | ISB Notes
these last days: An expression used in the Greek OT for the messianic age (Num 24:14; Is 2:2; Dan 10:14; Hos 3:5).
heir of all things: As all things were created through the Son as an instrument, so they return to him as an inheritance. Christ is thus the legal âfirst-bornâ (1:6) who inherits the cosmic estate of the Father (Col 1:15-16).
See word study: First-born.
⢠If the Son is the heir of all things, then he must be distinct from all things. If God created the world through him, then he cannot be one of its creatures, since he existed before them. No creature has its origin before the foundation of the world but is created in time. Only the Son exists timelessly with the Father and the Holy Spirit (cf. St. Cyril of Alexandria, Treasury of the Trinity 32).
the ages: Or âthe worldââthe Greek term can refer to space as well as to time (e.g., in 11:3, the world/ages refers to all that is âseenâ in the visible universe).
Heb 1:3 | ISB Notes
reflects the glory: Christ is the divine âbrightnessâ or âradianceâ that shines forth from the Lord. As such, he is Light from Light, true God from true God (CCC 464).
⢠The author is using a term from Wis 7:26, where the divine Wisdom of God is described as the âreflection of eternal lightâ. See note on Col 1:15-20.
stamp of his nature: Also testifies to the divinity of Christ, who is said to bear the âcharacterâ or âimprintâ of Godâs eternal Being.
his word: The context implies that Christ himself is the Word of God, in contrast to the fragmentary expressions of Godâs word that came through the prophets (1:1).
See word study: Word at Jn 1:1. purification âŚ
sat down: Jesus is both priest and king. Later chapters will show that his enthronement is not his retirement, but merely the beginning of his royal-priestly ministry in heaven (7:23-25; 9:24; CCC 662).
Heb 1:4 | ISB Notes
name ⌠more excellent: The superior name is âSonâ (1:5, 8). However, since the angels are collectively called âsons of Godâ in Scripture (Job 1:6; 38:7), it is possible that the author is thinking specifically of Christ as the âfirst-bornâ Son (Heb 1:6), as this would certify his unique preeminence over the angels.
See word study:
Heb 1:5-13 | ISB Notes
Seven quotations from the OT are cited to support the exalted description of Christ in the opening verses: he is the Son and heir of the Father (1:2 and 1:5), the mediator of creation (1:2 and 1:10), the eternal God (1:3 and 1:8, 11), and the enthroned king (1:3 and 1:13).
⢠The passages cited are Ps 2:7, 2 Sam 7:14, the LXX Greek version of Deut 32:43, Ps 104:4, Ps 45:6-7, Ps 102:25, and Ps 110:1. Together these texts affirm the divinity (Son of God) and royal dignity (son of David) of Jesus Christ.
Heb 1:14 | ISB Notes
ministering spirits: The angels are protectors of the saints, mediators of grace, and ministers who offer the prayers of Godâs people in heaven (Ps 91:11; Acts 12:11; Rev 8:3-4) (CCC 331-36).
⢠All angels have the same nature among themselves; nevertheless, some of them stand over nations, while others are present beside each one of the faithful (St. Basil the Great, Against Eunomius 3, 1).