New Testament
Hebrews 1
Overview
Hebrews opens not with the customary greeting of a letter but with a soaring overture declaring that the God who once spoke "in many portions and in many ways" through the prophets has now spoken finally and fully "in His Son" (1:1-2). Seven majestic clauses describe this Son as heir of all things, agent of creation, radiance of God's glory, exact imprint of His nature, sustainer of the universe by His word, and the one who, having made purification for sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high. The author then mounts a sustained argument that the Son is superior to the angels, since He has inherited "a more excellent name" (1:4). A catena of seven Old Testament quotations—from Psalms, 2 Samuel, and Deuteronomy—proves the point: angels are addressed as servants and "ministering spirits," but the Son is hailed as God enthroned forever (1:8) and as the Lord who laid the foundations of the earth (1:10). The chapter closes by reasserting that the Son sits at God's right hand while angels are merely sent to serve those who will inherit salvation.
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?