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Scott's Reference Library
October 5, 2003 | October 8, 2006 | October 4, 2009
Hebrews 1:1 through Hebrews 1:4 (NIV)
1In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times
and in various ways, 2but 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.
3The 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.
4So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is
superior to theirs.
Hebrews 2:5 through Hebrews 2:12 (NIV)
5It is not to angels that he has subjected the world to come, about which we
are speaking. 6But there is a place where someone has testified:
“What is man that you are mindful of him,
the son of man that you care for him?
7 You made him a little lower than the angels;
you crowned him with glory and honor
8 and put everything under his feet.”
In putting everything under him, God left nothing that is not subject to him.
Yet at present we do not see everything subject to him. 9But we see Jesus, who
was made a little lower than the angels, now crowned with glory and honor
because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for
everyone.
10In bringing many sons to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through
whom everything exists, should make the author of their salvation perfect
through suffering. 11Both the one who makes men holy and those who are made holy
are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers. 12He
says,
“I will declare your name to my brothers;
in the presence of the congregation I will sing your praises.”
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
Hebrews 1:1 through Hebrews 1:4
VERSES 1-3
God spake to his ancient people at sundry times, through successive generations,
and in divers manners, as he thought proper; sometimes by personal directions,
sometimes by dreams, sometimes by visions, sometimes by Divine influences on the
minds of the prophets. The gospel revelation is excellent above the former; in
that it is a revelation which God has made by his Son. In beholding the power,
wisdom, and goodness of the Lord Jesus Christ, we behold the power, wisdom, and
goodness of the Father, John 14:7; the fulness of the Godhead dwells, not
typically, or in a figure, but really, in him. When, on the fall of man, the
world was breaking to pieces under the wrath and curse of God, the Son of God,
undertaking the work of redemption, sustained it by his almighty power and
goodness. From the glory of the person and office of Christ, we proceed to the
glory of his grace. The glory of His person and nature, gave to his sufferings
such merit as was a full satisfaction to the honour of God, who suffered an
infinite injury and affront by the sins of men. We never can be thankful enough
that God has in so many ways, and with such increasing clearness, spoken to us
fallen sinners concerning salvation. That he should by himself cleanse us from
our sins is a wonder of love beyond our utmost powers of admiration, gratitude,
and praise.
VERSES 4-14
Many Jews had a superstitious or idolatrous respect for angels, because they had
received the law and other tidings of the Divine will by their ministry. They
looked upon them as mediators between God and men, and some went so far as to
pay them a kind of religious homage or worship. Thus it was necessary that the
apostle should insist, not only on Christ’s being the Creator of all things, and
therefore of angels themselves, but as being the risen and exalted Messiah in
human nature, to whom angels, authorities, and powers are made subject. To prove
this, several passages are brought from the Old Testament. On comparing what God
there says of the angels, with what he says to Christ, the inferiority of the
angels to Christ plainly appears. Here is the office of the angels; they are
God’s ministers or servants, to do his pleasure. But, how much greater things
are said of Christ by the Father! And let us own and honour him as God; for if
he had not been God, he had never done the Mediator’s work, and had never worn
the Mediator’s crown. It is declared how Christ was qualified for the office of
Mediator, and how he was confirmed in it: he has the name Messiah from his being
anointed. Only as Man he has his fellows, and as anointed with the Holy Spirit;
but he is above all prophets, priests, and kings, that ever were employed in the
service of God on earth. Another passage of Scripture, Psalms 102:25-27, is
recited, in which the Almighty power of the Lord Jesus Christ is declared, both
in creating the world and in changing it. Christ will fold up this world as a
garment, not to be abused any longer, not to be used as it has been. As a
sovereign, when his garments of state are folded and put away, is a sovereign
still, so our Lord, when he has laid aside the earth and heavens like a vesture,
shall be still the same. Let us not then set our hearts upon that which is not
what we take it to be, and will not be what it now is. Sin has made a great
change in the world for the worse, and Christ will make a great change in it for
the better. Let the thoughts of this make us watchful, diligent, and desirous of
that better world. The Saviour has done much to make all men his friends, yet he
has enemies. But they shall be made his footstool, by humble submission, or by
utter destruction. Christ shall go on conquering and to conquer. The most
exalted angels are but ministering spirits, mere servants of Christ, to execute
his commands. The saints, at present, are heirs, not yet come into possession.
The angels minister to them in opposing the malice and power of evil spirits, in
protecting and keeping their bodies, instructing and comforting their souls,
under Christ and the Holy Ghost. Angels shall gather all the saints together at
the last day, when all whose hearts and hopes are set upon perishing treasures
and fading glories, will be driven from Christ’s presence into everlasting
misery.
Hebrews 2:5 through Hebrews 2:10
VERSES 5-9
Neither the state in which the church is at present, nor its more completely
restored state, when the prince of this world shall be cast out, and the
kingdoms of the earth become the kingdom of Christ, is left to the government of
the angels: Christ will take to him his great power, and will reign. And what is
the moving cause of all the kindness God shows to men in giving Christ for them
and to them? it is the grace of God. As a reward of Christ’s humiliation in
suffering death, he has unlimited dominion over all things; thus this ancient
scripture was fulfilled in him. Thus God has done wonderful things for us in
creation and providence, but for these we have made the basest returns.
VERSES 10-13
Whatever the proud, carnal, and unbelieving may imagine or object, the spiritual
mind will see peculiar glory in the cross of Christ, and be satisfied that it
became Him, who in all things displays his own perfections in bringing many sons
to glory, to make the Author of their salvation perfect through sufferings. His
way to the crown was by the cross, and so must that of his people be. Christ
sanctifies; he has purchased and sent the sanctifying Spirit: the Spirit
sanctifies as the Spirit of Christ. True believers are sanctified, endowed with
holy principles and powers, set apart to high and holy uses and purposes. Christ
and believers are all of one heavenly Father, who is God. They are brought into
relation with Christ. But the words, his not being ashamed to call them
brethren, express the high superiority of Christ to the human nature. This is
shown from three texts of Scripture. See Psalms 22:22; 18:2; Isaiah 8:18.