Outline Studies in Hebrews, Chapter 1

2. ALL PEERLESS IN HIS DEITY CHAPTER 1

We may notice in the opening chapter of this Epistle

• The Superiority of His Revelation, vv. 1-2.
• The Sufficiency of His Work, v. 3.
• The Sovereignty of His Power, vv. 4-14.

Verses 1 to 3 are almost a synopsis of the contents of the whole Epistle. Here we are introduced to

• The Prophet, vv. 1-3. His Peerless Devotion to duty.
• The Son, vv. 4-6. His Personal Dignity.
• The Heir, cf. 2. 7-9. His Princely Dominion.
• The Creator, vv. 10-12. His Perfections never Perish.

Here God spake (cf. 2. 1-3) to the fathers (see ch. 11) by the prophets (see 3. 9), but now finally in (His) Son, 1. 2. Reference is made to the fact that He made the ages (see 11. 1-3), that He purged sin (see 9. 14), and that He sat down (see 8. 1).

Let us then consider Him and

1. His Expressed Glory as Divine Spokesman, 1. 1-2.

2. His Excellent Glory as Creator, 1. 2, 10.

His relation is unique – Son. His possessions vast – All. His work varied – Ages. His agency acknowledged – Thou. His power apparent – “Thou … hast laid the foundation”. He fitted together the ages. He is responsible for their management. Hence in Him there is origination, continuation and consummation. In His prerogatives all things have their preservation.

As Heir He has no predecessor and no successor. He is the true Isaac, see Gen. 21.

3. His Essential Glory as God, Effulgence, 1. 3.

His Personality – “Who” – the God of Glory. His Preexistence, Eternity, Permanency – “being”. The glory of God finds expression in the Son as its essence. The essence of God finds expression in Him as its type.

By means of its rays, the sun diffuses its light and heat. So through the Son God displays His glory and dispenses His grace.

The head on the coin is not only a likeness, it is the image of the sovereign. It is derived from the sovereign, a representation of him, a copy of the sovereign. The word “image”, in addition to the idea of likeness, contains also the facts of derivation and representation.

Note in this passage: Divine revelation through Him, 2. Divine work executed by Him, 2. Divine attributes possessed by Him, 3. Divine titles given Him, 8, 10. Angelic worship offered Him, 6. Divine majesty ascribed, 8. Divine rule committed, 9. Divine anointing upon Him, 9.

4. His Extolled Glory as Sin-purger, v. 3; Lev. 16; Exod. 29. 26.

• A Personal Work – Himself. Not apart from Himself.
• A Powerful Work – made purification. Cleansing of sins.
• A Perfect Work – made once for all. Cleansing from sins.

In Romans our guilt is in view, in Hebrews our defilement.

5. His Exalted Glory as Mediator, 1. 3.

Dignity – sat down. Glory – right hand of the Majesty. Locality – in the heights (see Ps. 93). The glory of His work, v. 3, of His worth, v. 13, of His wealth, 8. 1.

6. His Excelling Glory as Son, 1. 4.

“Being made”, becoming, proving Himself to be.

He surpasses angels in Personal Dignity and Princely Dominion. He surpasses them in Name – excellent; in Relationship – Son; in Homage – worshipped; in Ministry -sends angels; in Nature – immutable; in Majesty – throne.

Note there are two great Names for God in the Old Testament, Elohim and Jehovah. The first of these is given to Christ in verse 8, fulfilling Psalm 45. 6. The second of these is given to Him in verses 10 to 12 (see Ps. 102).

7. His Exhibited Glory as Firstborn, 1. 5-6; Ps. 89. 5-7, 27.

His begetting is Divine – “have I”; Definite – “this day”;

Relationship Declared – “Son”. He holds supreme prerogatives in relationship, title, claim, resources. It has been suggested by Dr. Griffith Thomas that the seven Old Testament quotations introduced refer to

• 1, 2. Sonship, Ps. 2. 7; 2 Sam. 7. 13-14; Heb. 1. 5.
• 3. Coming in glory, Deut. 32. 43; Heb. 1. 6.
• 4, 5. Exaltation and rule, Ps. 104. 4; 45. 6; Heb. 1. 7-9.
• 6. Millennial reign, Ps. 102. 25-27; Heb. 1. 10.
• 7. Culmination of all things, Ps. 110. 1; Heb. 1. 13.

8. His Established Glory as King, 1. 7-8.

“Angels” – to send. “Ministers” – to serve or wait upon. Sovereign authority is in His hands, “Thy throne, O God”. Here there is stability also, “for ever and ever”.

9. His Evident Glory as Superior, 1. 9.

His sceptre is one of righteousness, rectitude, uprightness, v. 8. He loved that which conformed to the divine standard, righteousness, v. 9.

• Superior in Devotion – loved.
• Superior in Determination – hated lawlessness.
• Superior in Delight – anointed with the oil of gladness, see Isa. 11; Ps. 16.

10. His Eternal Glory as Jehovah., 1. 10-12.

He is better inherently, v. 4, personally, v. 5, positionally, v. 6, authoritatively, vv. 7-8, creatorially,w. 10-12, administratively, v. 13.

11. His Enriching Glory as Victor, 1. 13.

• Welcomed in heaven – Jehovah welcomed Him.
• Worthy of the throne – sit on my right hand.
• Wonderful in His work – creation, v. 12, redemption, v. 3.
• Worshipped by angels – all the angels, v. 6.

Suggestions for Study.

The chapter is exhaustless, think on these things:

Find seven distinct titles of the Lord which prove that He is better than angels.

Note how God speaks in His Son, then He speaks of His Son and also to His Son.

Consider the Son in eternity, vv. 2-3, and the Son in time, vv. 4-14.

Weigh the seven affirmations made of Him in vv. 5-12.