Hebrews 1 Commentary | A Grace Based Bible Study of Hebrews 1:1-14
Hebrews Chapter 1 bible study – The book of Hebrews gives us a logical reason to fully abandon the law and grab on to a brand NEW covenant for salvation, for righteousness, and forgiveness.
Hebrews 1 is a tale of two preachers, two totally different covenants, and a perfect reason for Jews (and us) to recognize which one is greater, and why it’s important.
As we go through this letter there’s something we have to be careful not to miss. You probably are not a Hebrew, aka Jewish. You are likely a gentile (non-Jewish). This letter, for the most part, is written to Jewish people who have heard the gospel but keep running back to the law for forgiveness. Some are trying to hold on to both the old and the new, but the author shows us we only get one covenant. If you miss this point you will totally misunderstand this letter, and further you find yourself in bondage.
Need proof? Be very careful not to miss this either – The only sin referred to in the first 8-10 chapters is the Sin of unbelief. You don’t hear about adultery, murder, lying, cheating, stealing, or any other kind of sin. A letter so deeply focused on the sin of unbelief must clearly be writing to an audience that is at least mostly made up of non-believers. With that said be careful not to try and put yourself in every verse, because the Christian is not the intended recipient, and the writer in a sense is sharing the gospel to bring Jewish people to a knowledge of Christ. This letter would still be somewhat relevant for a Jewish audience today.
And remember also, that if you’re a Gentile, you never had the law to begin with. You just had Jesus.
[Ephesians 2:12] (talking to Gentiles/non-Jews) “remember that you were at that time SEPARATE from Christ, EXCLUDED from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having NO HOPE and without God in the world.
Hebrews begins by celebrating Jesus and comparing Him with Angels. Seems ridiculous unless you see why, and will in this chapter. But first, let’s look at the relationship the angels have with the law, just in case you miss something very important to the chapter.
[Galatians 3:19] 19 Why the Law then? It was added because of transgressions, having been ordained through angels by the agency of a mediator, until the seed would come to whom the promise had been made.
The LAW was ordained by angels! The author is telling the Jews that JESUS is GREATER than the angels.
But why would this be important? Because the message brought by angels is inferior to the one brought by Jesus!
[Hebrews 1:1-3] 1 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.
Why do you think it’s important the Jesus SAT DOWN?
Hebrews 10:11-12 “ Every priest stands daily ministering and offering time after time the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins; 12 but He, having offered one sacrifice for sins for all time, sat down at the right hand of God”
In other words what Jesus did worked. The Law didn’t. There was no sitting down for old testament priest because what they offered for sin never fixed anything.
[Hebrews 1:1-4-12] 4 So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs.
The Son Superior to Angels
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.”
Hebrews 7:24-25 “ but Jesus, on the other hand, because He continues forever, holds His priesthood permanently. 25 Therefore He is able also to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.”
[Hebrews 1:13-14] 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?
The point is they are just Angels. Angels are nothing compared to Jesus.
So the takeaway from Hebrews 1 is Jesus is greater than the angels. The angels ordained the law, but Jesus brought in the new covenant, therefore it must be greater too.
We’re going to see a few more comparisons in the upcoming chapters so make sure to check out the rest of the study. You’ll see Hebrews in a way you have not seen before.
God Bless You All.
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