Rev. Rob Jones
July 12, 2026

Hebrews 1 NIV
In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe. 3 The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. 4 So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs. 5 For to which of the angels did God ever say, “You are my Son; today I have become your Father”?
Or again, “I will be his Father, and he will be my Son”? 6 And again, when God brings his firstborn into the world, he says, “Let all God’s angels worship him.” 7 In speaking of the angels he says, “He makes his angels spirits, and his servants flames of fire.” 8 But about the Son he says, “Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever; a scepter of justice will be the scepter of your kingdom. 9 You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy.” 10 He also says, “In the beginning, Lord, you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. 11 They will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment. 12 You will roll them up like a robe; like a garment they will be changed. But you remain the same, and your years will never end.” 13 To which of the angels did God ever say, “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet”? 14 Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?

Simple Overview of Hebrews

Hebrews is a sermon-letter written to weary Christians who knew the Old Testament well and were tempted to drift, shrink back, or seek safety in the familiar structures of the old covenant. The author is not named in the book, and the intended audience is commonly understood to be Jewish Christians because Hebrews assumes deep familiarity with the priesthood, sacrifices, angels, Moses, covenant, tabernacle, and the Psalms. 

A popular consensus is that the writer’s main purpose is to show that Jesus Christ is better: better than angels, better than Moses, better than Aaron’s priesthood, better than animal sacrifices, and the mediator of a better covenant founded on better promises. Hebrews calls believers to endure by fixing their eyes on the Son who has purified sins, sat down at God’s right hand, and now intercedes for His people. (See Hebrews 1:1–4; 2:1; 3:1–6; 4:14–16; 8:6; 10:19–25; 12:1–3.) (This background summary is supported by Bible Hub’s overview of Hebrews and its audience, and by the Westminster Confession of Faith, chapter 8, on Christ the Mediator.)

Major Theme

Since God has spoken finally and fully in His Son, we must hear Him, worship Him, and persevere in faith under His kingly rule.

The King’s Seal

In the ancient world, a royal messenger did not need to be impressive in himself. What mattered was the seal he carried and the king whose word he delivered. If a servant brought a message with the king’s seal, the people listened. But if the king himself entered the room and spoke, the matter was settled. Hebrews opens with that kind of holy weight: “Long ago God spoke to our ancestors in many and various ways by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by a Son” (Heb. 1:1–2). The point is not that the prophets were wrong; the point is that they were preparatory. The Son is not merely another messenger.

1. God Has Spoken Finally in His Son

Hebrews 1 begins with revelation. God is not silent. He has spoken through prophets, promises, shadows, sacrifices, kings, and priests. Yet all of those words find their “Amen” in Christ. The Son is the one “through whom also he created the world,” which means Jesus is not a creature within the story but the Lord by whom the story exists (Heb. 1:2; John 1:1–3; Col. 1:16–17). He is the “radiance” of divine glory—not a reflection like the moon, but the shining forth of God’s own glory. He is the “exact imprint” of God’s nature—not similar to God as a holy man is similar, but one in being with the Father (Heb. 1:3; John 14:9; Col. 1:15; Westminster Confession of Faith 8.2).

This is why Christian faith is not built on speculation. We do not climb a ladder into heaven to discover God. God has come down and made Himself known in His Son. The Father’s final saving revelation is not merely a doctrine to admire but a voice to obey: “This is my Son, the Beloved…listen to him” (Matt. 17:5).

2. The Son Has Completed Purification for Sins

Hebrews 1:3 says that “When he had made purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.” The writer will (continuously) reemphasize this point as he argues that priests in the old covenant stood daily because their work was never finished (Heb. 10:11). Christ sat down because His atoning work is complete (Heb. 10:12–14). He did not merely make salvation possible; He accomplished redemption for His people by offering Himself once for all (Heb. 7:27; 9:12; 10:10, 14). The cross is not a plea for God to become gracious; it is the ordained work of the gracious God who gives His Son for sinners (John 3:16; Rom. 3:24–26; Westminster Confession of Faith 8.5).

Think of the parable of the prodigal son. The younger son returns with no bargaining power, no clean résumé, and no worthy offering. Yet the father runs, embraces, clothes, and restores him (Luke 15:11–24). Hebrews presses that grace even deeper: our welcome is grounded not in sentimental mercy but in blood-bought mercy. The robe is placed on sinners because the Son has borne their shame.

3. The Son Is Greater Than Angels

Hebrews 1:4–14 shows Christ’s supremacy over angels. Angels are glorious servants, but the Son is the enthroned Lord. The writer proves this by opening the Old Testament and showing that Scripture itself places the Son above every heavenly minister. Angels worship, but the Son receives worship. Angels serve, but the Son reigns. Angels are winds and flames; the Son is addressed as God and seated at the Father’s right hand (Heb. 1:6–14).

Old Testament Citations in Hebrews 1

Hebrews Reference	Quotation or Allusion	Old Testament Source	Point in Hebrews 1
Hebrews 1:5	“You are my Son; today I have begotten you.”	Psalm 2:7	The Messiah is God’s royal Son.
Hebrews 1:5	“I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son.”	2 Samuel 7:14; also 1 Chronicles 17:13	Jesus fulfills the Davidic covenant as the promised King.
Hebrews 1:6	“Let all God’s angels worship him.”	Deuteronomy 32:43 in the Septuagint tradition; also related to Psalm 97:7	The angels owe worship to the Son.
Hebrews 1:7	“He makes his angels winds, and his ministers a flame of fire.”	Psalm 104:4	Angels are created servants.
Hebrews 1:8–9	“Your throne, O God, is forever and ever…”	Psalm 45:6–7	The Son reigns in righteousness and is addressed as God.
Hebrews 1:10–12	“You, Lord, laid the foundation of the earth…”	Psalm 102:25–27	The Son is Creator and unchanging Lord.
Hebrews 1:13	“Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool…”	Psalm 110:1	The Son is enthroned until all enemies are subdued.

The list above follows the standard identification of Hebrews 1’s Old Testament quotations, including Psalm 2:7, 2 Samuel 7:14, Deuteronomy 32:43 in the Greek Old Testament tradition, Psalm 104:4, Psalm 45:6–7, Psalm 102:25–27, and Psalm 110:1. See also Bible Hub’s discussion of Hebrews’ audience and purpose, Wednesday in the Word’s chart of Old Testament quotations in Hebrews, and Westminster Confession of Faith 8.1–5 on the Son as Mediator, Prophet, Priest, King, and Heir of all things.

Bringing Hebrews 1 Back to Jesus’ Ministry and Gospel

Hebrews 1 is not abstract Christology. It brings us to the Jesus who walked dusty roads, welcomed children, touched lepers, ate with sinners, forgave the guilty, rebuked demons, stilled storms, and set His face toward Jerusalem (Mark 1:40–42; 2:5–12; 4:39; Luke 9:51; 19:10). The one who upholds the universe by the word of His power also took flesh and blood to save His brothers and sisters (Heb. 1:3; 2:14–17). 

The gospel in Hebrews 1 is this: the eternal Son became the obedient mediator, made purification for sins by His death, rose victorious, and sat down at the right hand of God. The throne referenced by Psalm 45 is occupied by the crucified and risen Christ. The right hand of Psalm 110 belongs to the Savior who intercedes and will return, and every enemy, including sin, death, and the devil, is placed beneath His feet (Heb. 1:8, 13; 7:25; 10:12–13; 1 Cor. 15:25–26).

Historical Impact: Athanasius and the Majesty of the Son

In the fourth century, Athanasius of Alexandria stood against the teaching that the Son was a created being. The conflict surrounding the Council of Nicaea in A.D. 325 centered on whether the Son is truly God or merely exalted above other creatures. Athanasius’ burden was not philosophical pride but salvation itself: if Christ is not truly God, He cannot truly reveal God or truly save sinners. Hebrews 1 stands firmly with that confession. The Son is worshiped by angels, addressed as God, Creator of heaven and earth, and enthroned forever (Heb. 1:6, 8, 10–12). (Britannica.com)

Call to Action: Hear, Worship, and Hold Fast

First, hear the Son. If God has spoken finally in Christ, then we do not treat His word as advice but as life. Give yourself to Scripture, not as a mere religious duty, but as the place where the living Christ addresses His church by His Spirit.

Second, worship the Son. The angels worship Him; how much more should the redeemed? Worship is not an accessory to faith. It is the fitting response to the glory of the Son who made us, bought us, keeps us, and will bring us home.

Third, hold fast to the Son. Hebrews was written to people under pressure, and its opening chapter gives them a throne to look toward. The perseverance of believers does not rest on the strength of their grip but on the strength of Christ’s finished work, ongoing intercession, and covenant faithfulness. So, do not drift. Do not trade the living Christ for religious nostalgia, worldly safety, or self-made righteousness. Seek the Son who has spoken, purified, sat down, and reigns.

Closing Prayer

Christ Jesus, You are the Father’s final and perfect Word. Teach me to hear You with faith, reverence, and obedience. When I am weary, lift my eyes to Your throne. When I am guilty, remind me that You have made purification for my sins. When I am drifting, draw me back by Your Spirit and hold me fast by Your grace. I confess that I often listen to lesser voices and trust lesser hopes, but You alone are the radiance of God’s glory, the exact imprint of His nature, my great High Priest, and my reigning King. Help me worship You with my whole heart, rest in Your finished work, and walk today and every day as one who belongs to You. Keep me faithful until the day when I see You in glory. Amen.

Sources Cited for Study Preparation

• Holy Scripture: Hebrews 1; John 1:1–3; Colossians 1:15–17; Matthew 17:5; Luke 15:11–24; Mark 1:40–42; Mark 2:5–12; Mark 4:39; Luke 9:51; Luke 19:10; 1 Corinthians 15:25–26; Revelation 5:11–14.
• Old Testament quotations in Hebrews 1: Psalm 2:7; 2 Samuel 7:14; 1 Chronicles 17:13; Deuteronomy 32:43; Psalm 97:7; Psalm 104:4; Psalm 45:6–7; Psalm 102:25–27; Psalm 110:1.
• Bible Hub, “Epistle to the Hebrews” and “The Audience of Hebrews,” for an overview of audience, purpose, and themes. https://biblehub.com/topical/t/the_audience_of_hebrews.htm
• Wednesday in the Word, “Hebrews’ Use of the Old Testament,” for a chart of Hebrews’ Old Testament quotations. https://wednesdayintheword.com/hebrews-ot-quotations/
• “Westminster Confession of Faith,” in The Book of Confessions, XIII. 6.043-6.050, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Louisville: Office of the General Assembly, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), 2016. Kindle Edition. 
• “Westminster Confession of Faith,” in The Book of Confessions, XVII. 6.094-6.096\, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Louisville: Office of the General Assembly, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), 2016. Kindle Edition.
• “Arianism summary,” Britannica. Accessed July 14, 2026. https://www.britannica.com/summary/Arianism