The Bible — World English Bible
Hebrews 1
In brief
Hebrews opens without any preamble: after speaking through the prophets, God has spoken by his Son. The author presents him as heir of all things, creator, radiance of God's glory and exact imprint of his being, seated at the right hand of God after making purification for sins. He then shows, through a series of quotations from Scripture, that the Son is superior to the angels, who are servants sent for the sake of those who will inherit salvation.
The chapter in 4 parts
1God, 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 as 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?
Key verses
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.
The text contrasts the partial messages of the prophets with God's final word in his Son. Jesus is not one more prophet, he is the destination of revelation.
His 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,
This verse describes the Son as the radiance of God's glory and the exact imprint of his being, upholding all things by his word. He made purification for sins, then sat down at the right hand of God.
having become as much better than the angels as the more excellent name he has inherited is better than theirs.
This verse introduces the idea that runs through the whole letter: the Son is superior, here to the angels. It serves as a guiding thread for then comparing Jesus with Moses, the priests and the sacrifices.
Aren’t they all serving spirits, sent out to do service for the sake of those who will inherit salvation?
The angels are presented as spirits in God's service, sent out for the sake of those who will inherit salvation. Their role is service, unlike the Son, who reigns.
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Frequently asked questions about Hebrews 1
What does Hebrews 1:3 mean by “the radiance of his glory” and the exact imprint of his being?
The verse says that the Son makes God's glory visible and bears his exact nature, as the imprint of a seal reproduces the seal. Christians read in it that whoever sees Jesus sees the character of God. The verse adds that he upholds all things and made purification for sins.
Why does the author of Hebrews compare Jesus with the angels?
The readers were believers of Jewish background, for whom angels had given the law and held a high place. The author shows through several quotations that the Son is of another order: he is worshiped by the angels and reigns on an eternal throne, while the angels are servants.
Who wrote the epistle to the Hebrews?
The text does not name its author. Names have been proposed over the centuries, such as Paul, Barnabas or Apollos, but Christians do not agree on this point. All, however, recognize the great quality of the letter and its place in the New Testament.
Articles quoting Hebrews 1
World English Bible translation — public domain.