Hebrews 1:1-14 - G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible

Reader Related Verse
Bible Comments

The first words of this epistle plunge to the heart of the subject. Two truths are revealed: the first, God; the second, that God has revealed Himself. Two periods of revelation are referred to, that "of old time," and that "at the end of these days." These periods are contrasted. The first was characterized by diversity. The new is characterized by unity. The whole argument is to show the superiority of the speech that has come through the Son.

His glories are set forth in a sevenfold description. He is "Heir of all things," Creator of the ages, Effulgence of the glory of God, "the very Image of His Substance," the Upholder of all things, the Purifier of sins, joint Ruler with "the Majesty on high."

His superiority to all that had preceded Him is first shown with reference to angels. The argument occupies this and most of the next chapter. The subject is introduced by seven quotations from the Old Testament in which His relationship to God as Son, His superiority in the matter of the divine service, and His sharing of the divine throne, are set forth. The majority of the quotations are from the Psalms.

Related Commentaries of Hebrews 1:1

Hebrews 1:1-14

1 God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,

2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;

3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;

4 Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.

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?

6 And again,a when he bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him.

7 And ofb the angels he saith, Who maketh his angels spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire.

8 But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousnessc 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.

10 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.

13 But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool?

14 Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?