Hebrews 1 – Studies

For those who may wish to ‘study’ this chapter, the following simple resources are provided for you. Each chapter is divided into a number of studies and each study or passage has a simple four-Part, verse-by-verse approach, to help you take in and think further about what you have read.

Passage: Hebrews 1:1-4

1 In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe. 3 The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. 4 So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has

A. Find Out:

1. How had God first spoken? v.1
2. But how has He now spoken? v.2a
3. What two descriptions are then given? v.2b,c
4. What two further descriptions are then given? v.3a
5. What 3 actions are then given? v.3b,c
6. So what does that make him? v.4

B. Think:

1. How many descriptions are given here of who Jesus is?
2. How many descriptions are given of what he does and has done?
3. What is the point the writer is making?

C. Comment:

     Next to John 1, this is probably the most dynamic opening to any book in the Bible. These four verses are packed full of information. The AIM of the writer is surely to show that Jesus is greater than any other being in Creation, especially angels.  What does it say about him?  These verses are shorthand notes about Jesus. They say an incredible amount about him in few words.

     First, like John 1, it is all about communication.  Jesus is God’s communication to us.  Jesus came to communicate the very nature of God to us, not only by his words but by his very being.   God didn’t give us just rules or directions, He gave us a person to follow.  Next comes the qualification of Jesus to communicate this, the reason why Jesus can speak to us, over and above the fact that he is God’s Son.

     Before God made anything, He decreed that Jesus would be the recipient of it all, i.e. He made it all for Jesus. Then hand in hand, Father and Son made all of Creation together (see also Proverbs 8:22-31).    Now Jesus actually upholds or keeps the world going, he rules over it.

     But if you think the Son is less than the Father, read again. He is the radiance or expression of the Father to us, the exact representation or perfect expression of the Father to us.  In that there is unity and diversity.  He exactly represents his Father yet he is distinct from his Father. Here is a mystery.

     Then comes what Jesus has done through the Cross: he made purification for sins, or died to take the punishment for our sins and to remove them.  Now he sits at his Father’s right hand ruling.  Yes, there can be no other being to compare with the glory of the Son. If you are not sure about these truths, go back over these verses, carefully taking in what they say.  Meditate on them.  They are vital to Christian belief.

D. Application:

1. Jesus is all glorious, worship Him!
2. No other “religious leader” can compare with Jesus!

Passage: Hebrews 1:5-9

5 For to which of the angels did God ever say,

‘You are my Son; today I have become your Father’?

Or again,

‘I will be his Father, and he will be my Son’?

6 And again, when God brings his firstborn into the world, he says,

‘Let all God’s angels worship him.’

7 In speaking of the angels he says,

‘He makes his angels spirits,
    and his servants flames of fire.’

8 But about the Son he says,

‘Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever;
    a sceptre of justice will be the sceptre of your kingdom.
9 You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness;
    therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions
    by anointing you with the oil of joy.’

A. Find Out:

1. What relationship did angels NOT have? v.5
2. Read also Psa 2:7 and 2 Sam 7:14   What is the emphasis?
3. What was the response of angels to Jesus? v.6
4. What was said about the nature and duration of Jesus’ rule? v.8
5. What did he love and hate? v.9a
6. So what did God do for him? v.9b (Read also Psa 45:6,7)

B. Think:

1. What is the overriding point being made here?
2. How is the point being made?
3. Why do you think the point is being made?

C. Comment:

     In verse 4 the writer had compared Jesus to angels, saying how much more superior Jesus was to the angels, and now he continues that theme.  Why?  Perhaps there were people who were downgrading who Jesus was, saying he was just another messenger from God.  In this passage the writer uses the designation “Son” a number of times, never even mentioning “Jesus” or “Christ”. His emphasis is clearly that this is an expression OF God Himself in human form.

      First he quotes from Psalm 2, the first of those messianic psalms that Jews believed spoke about the coming Messiah or Christ.  Then from the prophecy to David which again spoke of the Messiah, each time emphasizing Sonship.

     Then he makes reference to the role of angels: to worship the Son (see Rev 5:11,12) and to act as messengers or servants.

      Finally he moves on to the messianic Psalm 45 and emphasizes his role as a ruler set apart by God his Father.  In every way the Son is shown to be distinct and different and so much superior to angels.  He is, in his very being, God and His activity is unique and so much superior to that of angels. This Son is close to, and one with the Father, and is a ruler who is worthy of our worship.   He is incomparable.

D. Application:

1. Scripture confirms Scripture and it all speaks of Jesus.
2. Jesus, the Son, part of the Godhead, designated by the Father as Son to fulfil a special and unique purpose, worthy of our worship.

Passage: Hebrews 1:10-14

10 He also says,

‘In the beginning, Lord, you laid the foundations of the earth,
    and the heavens are the work of your hands.
11 They will perish, but you remain;
    they will all wear out like a garment.
12 You will roll them up like a robe;
    like a garment they will be changed.
But you remain the same,
    and your years will never end.’

13 To which of the angels did God ever say,

‘Sit at my right hand
    until I make your enemies
    a footstool for your feet’?

14 Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?

A. Find Out:

1. What had God done in the beginning? v.10
2. Yet what will happen to them? v.11, 12a
3. But how does God differ? v.11a, 12b
4. Where had God NOT made angels to sit? v.13
5. So what are angels? v.14a
6. So what do they do? v.14b

B. Think:

1. In what role is the Lord next seen here?
2. What particular characteristic of His is commented upon?
3. Read Psalm 110:1,2    How does this reveal the Christ?

C. Comment:

     The writer’s point in this passage is that God who is Creator is greater than all He has created, He is eternal, without beginning or end. He cites the Greek version of Psalm 102:25-27 and clearly intends it to refer to the Son, even as he referred to Him in His role as co-creator in verse 2, for this whole chapter is to extol the Son and lift Him higher than any created beings.

     He continues this comparison with angels, in verse 13 citing from the Messianic Psalm 110, where again we have a glimpse of the Son being a ruler at His Father’s side.

    Within that we see the Son is there:

a) to deal with His Father’s enemies,

b) He will continue to rule until He has put them under His feet and therefore

c) it is implied that that WILL happen, for so it is decreed.

     Hence today He is ruling in the midst of enemies (Psa 110:2), ruling and bringing about God’s will and purposes while they carry on their evil and ungodly business.

     Finally we see angels described as a) spirit beings who b) are sent to serve or help Christians. As wonderful as they are they are not the cause of our salvation, Jesus is. Altogether Jesus is creator of this world, it’s ruler and its redeemer!

D. Application:

1. Never let us think of Jesus as a mere man, for manhood was simply the clothing he put on to live in our midst.
2. For all these reasons He is worthy of our worship.