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God Speaks to Us By His Son

In the past, God spoke to our forefathers by the prophets at many times and in many ways. In these last days, he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe. The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact imprint of the divine nature. He sustains all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins,[a] he took his seat at the right hand of the Majesty on high.

The Son Is Superior to the Angels

The Son became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs. For to which of the angels did God ever say:

You are my Son. Today I have begotten you?[b]

And again:

I will be his Father, and he will be my Son.[c]

And again, when he brought his firstborn into the world, he said:

Let all God’s angels worship him.[d]

About the angels he says:

He makes his messengers winds and his ministers flaming fire.[e]

But about the Son he says:

God, your throne is forever and ever,
and the scepter of righteousness is the scepter of your kingdom.
You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness.
Therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of joy
    beyond your companions.[f]

10 And he says:

In the beginning, Lord, you laid the foundation of the earth,
and the heavens are the works of your hands.
11 They will perish, but you remain.
They will all become old like a garment.
12 You will roll them up like a robe,
and they will be changed like a garment.[g]
But you are the same,
and your years will never end.[h]

13 To which of the angels has he ever said:

Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool under your feet?[i]

14 Are not all angels ministering spirits sent out to serve for the benefit of those who are going to inherit salvation?

Footnotes

  1. Hebrews 1:3 Some witnesses to the text add by himself. (“Witnesses to the text” mentioned in footnotes may include Greek manuscripts, lectionaries, translations, and quotations in the church fathers.)
  2. Hebrews 1:5 Psalm 2:7
  3. Hebrews 1:5 2 Samuel 7:14; 1 Chronicles 17:13
  4. Hebrews 1:6 Deuteronomy 32:43 (Dead Sea Scrolls and Septuagint); Psalm 97:7
  5. Hebrews 1:7 Psalm 104:4
  6. Hebrews 1:9 Psalm 45:6-7
  7. Hebrews 1:12 Some witnesses to the text omit like a garment.
  8. Hebrews 1:12 Psalm 102:25-27
  9. Hebrews 1:13 Psalm 110:1

God’s Final Word: His Son

In the past God spoke(A) to our ancestors through the prophets(B) at many times and in various ways,(C) but in these last days(D) he has spoken to us by his Son,(E) whom he appointed heir(F) of all things, and through whom(G) also he made the universe.(H) The Son is the radiance of God’s glory(I) and the exact representation of his being,(J) sustaining all things(K) by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins,(L) he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.(M) So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs.(N)

The Son Superior to Angels

For to which of the angels did God ever say,

“You are my Son;
    today I have become your Father”[a]?(O)

Or again,

“I will be his Father,
    and he will be my Son”[b]?(P)

And again, when God brings his firstborn(Q) into the world,(R) he says,

“Let all God’s angels worship him.”[c](S)

In speaking of the angels he says,

“He makes his angels spirits,
    and his servants flames of fire.”[d](T)

But about the Son he says,

“Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever;(U)
    a scepter of justice will be the scepter of your kingdom.
You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness;
    therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions(V)
    by anointing you with the oil(W) of joy.”[e](X)

10 He also says,

“In the beginning, Lord, you laid the foundations of the earth,
    and the heavens are the work of your hands.(Y)
11 They will perish, but you remain;
    they will all wear out like a garment.(Z)
12 You will roll them up like a robe;
    like a garment they will be changed.
But you remain the same,(AA)
    and your years will never end.”[f](AB)

13 To which of the angels did God ever say,

“Sit at my right hand(AC)
    until I make your enemies
    a footstool(AD) for your feet”[g]?(AE)

14 Are not all angels ministering spirits(AF) sent to serve those who will inherit(AG) salvation?(AH)

Footnotes

  1. Hebrews 1:5 Psalm 2:7
  2. Hebrews 1:5 2 Samuel 7:14; 1 Chron. 17:13
  3. Hebrews 1:6 Deut. 32:43 (see Dead Sea Scrolls and Septuagint)
  4. Hebrews 1:7 Psalm 104:4
  5. Hebrews 1:9 Psalm 45:6,7
  6. Hebrews 1:12 Psalm 102:25-27
  7. Hebrews 1:13 Psalm 110:1