Hebrews Chapter 1

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" colspan=2 height=100 BGCOLOR="#CCCCFF" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="0c900640egdysm.jpg"> <div> <FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#000066" FACE="Arial" ><B>Grace Bible Fellowship</B></FONT><FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#000099" FACE="Arial" ><B> </B></FONT><B>    |     </B><A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Grace Bible Fellowship"><B>home</B></A><B><IMG SRC="0e7523c0.png" border=0 width="82" height="60" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="10" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> back to<B>  </B><A HREF="id71.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Studies in Hebrews"><B>Studies in Hebrews</B></A></div> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" width=200 BGCOLOR="#0000BF" TEXT="#F7F7FF"> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id72.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Hebrews: Introduction">Hebrews: Introduction</A></div> <div> <B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700c8ffcccc00.png" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Hebrews Chapter 1</B></div> <bR> </td> <td valign="top" height=380 width="100%" BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <B>Hebrews Chapter 1</B></div> <bR> <div> P.W. Dennis</div> <div> <B>[IN PROCESS: Greek Text needs to be added]</B></div> <bR> <div> I.     Review </div> <div>  A.     Doctrinal Content, Authorship, and audience.</div> <bR> <div> 1.    Doctrinal Content</div> <div> a.     When we recognize the distinctive nature of the Paul's gospel and the dispensation of the Mystery (Rom. 16:25; Gal. 1:11,12; 2:1-2; </div> <div> Eph. 3:3,8,9; Col. 1:25-26) we can make a correct assessment of the authorship and audience.  The epistle to the Hebrews doctrinal content is manifestly about the seven many's of Israel in contradistinction to the Seven Ones of the Body of Christ (Eph. 4:4-6).  More below.</div> <div> b.    Distinction between the seven many's of Israel and the seven ones (Eph. 4:4-6) of the Body of Christ have been proved in previous studies and outlines.  The seven many's of Israel are throughout the "old testament" scriptures.  The seven manys are also maintained in the new testament (Greek) scriptures in the gospels, Acts and the Jewish epistles (Hebrews, James, 1,2 Peter, 1,2,3 John, Jude, Revelation).  A summary was provided the previous outline.</div> <div> c.    The author identifies himself with his audience and their hope (cf. 1:14; 2:2; 6:1; 13:13,14 etc).  The hope described is not the One Hope of the One Body, ergo Paul is not the author</div> <bR> <div> (1)    The author states that the doctrine of MANY baptisms constitutes part of the elementary foundation of the faith (Heb. 6:1,2), and further that his audience in fact had received ritual baptism as part of their confession of faith (Heb. 10:22); but Paul states there is but ONE baptism (Eph. 4:5), ergo Paul cannot be the author.  Further, the objective faith described in this book cannot be the faith of the Body of Christ, but that of the Jewish saints.</div> <bR> <div> (2)    The author confirms role of angels as mediators. Heb 1:7,14; 2 :2,7; 7:7.  Thus Hebrews confirms the doctrine of many lords, gods, spirits for the nation of Israel as taught in the "old testament."</div> <bR> <div> 2. Authorship</div> <div> a. Traditional Arguments for Pauline Authorship. All Weak.</div> <div> b. Conclusive Arguments against</div> <div> (1)   Summary Observations. See doctrinal content above.</div> <div> (a)    The author identifies himself with the audience and their hope.  This hope is that of eternal life on a restored earth.</div> <div> (b)    The author confirms angels as his and the audiences ministers/mediators</div> <div> (c)    The author confirms the doctrine of many baptisms.</div> <div> (2)    Secondary observation, confirmatory: Writing style.  Hebrews is written in an educated Greek; Paul's epistles which are signed by him are written in "common" Greek.</div> <div> (3)    The author states he is not one of those who had heard Christ (clearly Paul had!), Heb. 2:3.</div> <div> c.    It is my opinion that the author is Apollos</div> <bR> <div> 3. Audience.</div> <div> a.    Since the audience of Hebrews has "guardian" angels, they are not members of the Body of Christ, for whom only One Spirit (Eph. 4:4) ministers.  Recall also principle of Heb. 7:7 -- the lesser is blessed by the greater --  hence these saints being blessed by angels are subordinate to the angels, and hence not of the Body.</div> <div> b.    In light of the above, the audience of the letter is Jewish saints whose hope is to rule eternally on the earth as the masters of the Gentiles and to be under the authority of the angels. </div> <bR> <div> B.    Themes of Hebrews.</div> <div> 1.    Superiority of Christ </div> <div>     a.    To the prophets</div> <div> b.    Angels</div> <div> c.    Moses</div> <div> d.    Joshua</div> <div> e.    Aaron and the priests</div> <bR> <div> 2.    Superiority of the new covenant to the old covenant</div> <div> 3.    Warnings and Exhortations to steadfastness in their faith in Christ.</div> <div> 4.    Practical instruction to Jewish saints.</div> <div> 5.    All of these themes are understandable in light of the persecution and rejection of the believing Jews at the hands of the reprobate Jewish leaders.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> II.    Chapter 1.</div> <div>     A.    Chapter 1:1 through 2:18. Christ's Superiority to the angels.</div> <div> 1.    Christ as the pre-incarnate Son of God, the second person of the Trinity, is by nature superior to the prophets, angels and is the creator and sustains the creation. As such, in his deity, the Son does not inherit.  This eternal superiority is to be contrasted with the position Christ inherited by virtue of his humbling via the incarnation, his obedience and suffering in his human nature, and his death and resurrection.</div> <div> 2.    The key theme in chapter 1 through chapter 2:18 is Christ's position above the angels.  It asserts both Christ's Deity as the second person of the Godhead and Christ's inheritance of the Father's throne in his glorified humanity.  This truth when conjoined with the Body's position as joint-heirs with Christ in his glorified humanity further underscores the distinctiveness of the Body's Hope and doctrine of the Hope of the Jewish and Gentile elects.</div> <div> 3.    Elaboration. Role of angels as mediators.  Key texts:</div> <div>     a.    Galatians 3:19 Why the Law then? It was added because of transgressions, having been ordained through angels by the agency of a mediator, until the seed would come to whom the promise had been made. (NASB)</div> <div>     b.    Acts 7:53 you who received the law as ordained by angels, and yet did not keep it. (NASB)</div> <div> B.    Verses 1-2. In many parts and in many-ways long ago, God, having spoken unto the fathers by the prophets, in last of these days spoke unto us by a Son whom he has appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the ages; </div> <div> 1.  "in many parts" is           rendered "at sundry times" in the KJV.</div> <div> 2.  "in many-ways;" is          rendered "in divers manners" in the KJV.</div> <div> 3.  "long ago" is       rendered  "in time past" in the KJV.</div> <div> 4.  "In these last days"   </div> <div> a.         A term for the Messianic age in which the prophetic program for Israel is to reach fulfillment.  The same as the "last days."  </div> <div> (1) This Greek phrase is used in the LXX for the Hebrew phrase translated "last/latter days" (cf. Isa. 2:2; Mic. 4:1; Gen. 49:1). Indeed, for  the audience of Hebrews, the prophetic clocks of Israel were in the last days.  Christ appeared and spoke on the earth after the 69th Sabbatic year and was cut off. (Dan. 9:25:26).  See Peter's reference to Joel and the events of Acts 2 as the "last days" in Acts 2:17. The only time period remaining is the interval for the 80th week of Daniel and the ushering in of the millennial kingdom and then the eternal state.</div> <div> (2)    See also the other Kingdom epistles of the Jewish saints: Jude 18; 1 Pet. 1:20; 2 Pet. 3:3; </div> <div> 5.    "spoke unto us by a Son ...": </div> <div> a.    Though the text does not say "His Son" or "the Son" the modifying clauses leave no doubt that the author is speaking of the second person of the Godhead both as the Logos and Creator of "the ages" but also in his incarnate humanity and ministry to the nation of Israel.  By virtue of his suffering to redeem the elect he thereby inherited in his glorified humanity his position on the Father's throne.</div> <div> b.    "The phrase by a Son."  Indicates both Christ's nature and is stated in contrast to the prophets. </div> <div> c.    What was spoken by Christ?  Not the Mystery!  That was revealed to Paul by Christ in the 3rd heaven. Key texts:</div> <div> (1)    Romans 15:8 Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers: (KJV)</div> <div> (2)    Matthew 5:18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.</div> <div> (3)    Matthew 15:24 But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.</div> <bR> <div> 6.    "whom he has appointed heir of all things."  </div> <div> a.    Christ in His deity is eternally God the Son and therefore already owns all things, but Christ in his incarnation, suffering, death and resurrection to his glorified humanity inherited the position on the Father's throne as heir of all things.  </div> <div> b.    "Appointed"  – aorist tense.  Christ was appointed in eternity past within the Triune Godhead, </div> <div> c.    The "all things" comprise all of the creation.  Christ as heir of all things includes his position as the Head of the Body of Christ, His rule over the angels – the Body and the angels residing in the heavens – and  over the righteous Jews and righteous Gentiles – these two comprising the earthly sphere.  The latter full culmination of the inheritance occurs at the end of the 70th week at the ushering in of the millennial phase of the eternal earthly kingdom, cf. Rev. 11:15.</div> <div> 7.    "by whom also he made the ages;"   Christ, the second person of the Godhead is the Creator. See John 1:2; Col. 1:15.    The Greek text is literally "ages" rather than "world" (as in the KJV), but here can be taken by metonymy to be time and all of the creation as bound within time.</div> <bR> <div> C.    Verse 3.  Who being a brightness of the glory and impress of his substance, and upholding everything by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty in high places; </div> <div> 1.     "Who being a brightness of the glory and impress of his substance,"</div> <div> a.    ""an impress of his substance;" is rendered "the express image of his person" in the KJV.  The Greek is                               ;  </div> <div> b.    "Impress" is         .  The only occurrence in NT.</div> <div> c.    "Person" in the KJV renders Strong's #5287 hupostasis. It occurs 5 times in the NT and is rendered as follows:</div> <div> (1)  confidence 2,  confident 1,  person 1,  substance 1; 5</div> <div> (2)  Definition  1) a setting or placing under 1a) thing put under, substructure, foundation 2) that which has foundation, is  firm 2a) that which has actual existence 2a1) a substance, real being 2b) the substantial quality, nature, of a  person or thing 2c) the steadfastness of mind, firmness, courage, resolution 2c1) confidence, firm trust,  assurance  </div> <div> (3)    Complete concordance: 2 Cor 9:4; 2 Cor 11:17; Heb 1:3; Heb 3:14;    Heb 11:1.</div> <div> 2.    "and upholding everything by the word of his power" – as in Col. 1:17.</div> <div> 3.    "when he had by himself purged our sins" – Christ alone ("by himself") is the sole sufficient propitiation of the sins of the elect.</div> <div> 4.     "sat down on the right hand of the Majesty in high places" </div> <div> a.    cf. Acts 2:34. </div> <div> b.    Nowhere does the author of Hebrews say that part of the hope of his audience is to be jointly seated with Christ. Compare Paul and the Body's hope: </div> <div> (1)    Eph. 1:20: Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places...</div> <div> (2)    Eph 2:6: And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:</div> <div> (3)    And as Christ is above the angels, so is His Body, and we thus will rule the angels 1 Cor. 6:3.</div> <div> c.     "Majesty" occurs 3 time in NT Greek: Heb. 1:3; 8:1; Jude 1:25.  In Heb: 8.1 the text is "heaven" instead of "high places." </div> <div> d.     "High places" is the adjective for high in the plural, hence "high places" if regarded as a "plural of majesty" then "highest place" would be correct rendering.</div> <div> D.    Verse 4. having become as much greater in rank than the angels, as he has inherited a more excellent name than they. </div> <div> 1.    "having become;" renders          ; aorist part. KJV reads "being made;" So this is Christ in his glorified humanity on the throne in the 3rd heaven.  A position inherited by virtue of his obedience in his incarnation.</div> <div> 2.    "by a so much higher rank" is the Greek                 . According to Freiberg Lexicon when applied to persons this means: (1) of pers. superior, better, higher in rank (Heb. 1.4); subst. more important person (Heb 7.7)  So lit. "by so much higher rank;" KJV read "so much better."  </div> <div> 3.    Note Heb. 7:7 is listed also in Frieberg's Dictionary.  Actually the idea of administrative rank is meant there also.  </div> <div> 4.    "as he has inherited a more excellent name than they ." </div> <div> a.    Inherited is in the perfect tense indicating a past completed action.  </div> <div> b.    "They" are the angels, which do in fact have an administratively higher position than the Jewish saints addressed in Hebrews.  </div> <div> c.    "A more excellent name" – indicative of his position; Christ's very name demands submission by all creation.  Phil. 2:6-10. ...At the name of Jesus all creatures in heaven and earth shall bow.</div> <bR> <div> E.    Verse 5. For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son? </div> <div> 1.    The verse is a quotation of Psalm 2:7.</div> <div> 2.    "For unto which of the angels said he at any time...?" The answer being none. This verse then is used to establish Christ superiority to the angels.   Paul quotes Psalm 2:7 in Acts 13:33 in connection with Christ's resurrection.  All of these themes fit the point that Christ inherited his position in the third heaven by virtue of his obedience to death and his resurrection and glorified humanity.</div> <div> 3.    "I will be to him... etc." 2 Sam. 7:14;1.  The latter quote applies to the king of Israel being a descendent of David, and thus Christ in his humanity as the descendent and rightful king of Israel. </div> <bR> <div> F.    Verse 6.  And again, when he bringeth in the first begotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him. </div> <div> 1.    "First begotten" – indicative of superiority and intimacy of relationship between the Father and Son. This phrase is used in many ways, for example, of Christ:  (1)  as the firstborn of Mary; (2) in relation to redeemed men; and (3) in relation to the creation.</div> <div> 2.    "let all the angels of God worship him."  Again indicating Christ's position.  Christ is to be worshiped in contrast to angel who are not to be worshiped.</div> <bR> <div> G.    Verse 7. And of the angels he saith, "Who maketh his angels spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire." </div> <div> 1.    A quotation of Ps. 104:4;</div> <div> 2.    Another text for angels as the many spirits who administer Israel.</div> <div> 3.    The role of the angels is as ministers, Christ is the ruler.</div> <bR> <div> H.    Verses 8,9.  But unto the Son he saith, "Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom. 9 Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows."</div> <div> 1.    A verbatim quote of Ps. 45:7,8 from the LXX.</div> <div> 2.    Again Christ's position contrasted with the angels.  Christ is on the throne and has an eternal kingdom.  As the application of the quote is the superiority of Christ to the angels, the "fellows" of v.9 of the king's court would seem to correspond to the angels. </div> <bR> <div> I.     Verse 10-12  And,  "Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands: 11 They shall perish; but thou remainest; and they all shall wax old as doth a garment; 12 And as a vesture shalt thou fold them up, and they shall be changed: but thou art the same, and thy years shall not fail."</div> <div> 1.    A quotation of Ps. 102:25-27;</div> <div> 2.    in the beginning]            ; accus. fem. pl.; direct quote from LXX, Hebrew: is   , also pl., idiom meaning "from olden times;"</div> <div> 3.    This verse was a Messianic proof text even among pre-Christian Jews.</div> <div> 4.    Declares the creation to be the work of the pre-incarnate Son, thus the eternity of Christ</div> <bR> <div> J.    Verse 13. But to which of the angels said he at any time, "Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool?"</div> <div> 1.    A quote of Ps. 110:1;    </div> <div> 2.    "Sit at my right hand" – i.e. the position of highest dignity.</div> <bR> <div> K.    Verse 14.  Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?   </div> <div> 1.    ministering]            ; adjective from leitourgia, public ministration or service;</div> <div> 2.    sent forth]              ; pres. pass. part. = "being sent forth;"</div> <div> 3.    to minister]              ; = "unto service;" not as servants of man, but as servants of God;</div> <div> 4.    for them]         ; with accusative meaning. "on behalf of;"</div> <div> 5.    Alternate translation: "Are they not all ministering spirits, being sent forth unto service on behalf of the ones going to inherit salvation?</div> <div> 6.    The verse shows that the angels as the servants of Christ the king.  The angels thus act as mediators on behalf of the redeemed of Israel.</div> <div>                                                                         </div> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>