Category: Hebrews

More Earnest Heed

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Hebrews 2:1-2 Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip. For if the word spoken by angels was steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense of reward

‘Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard.’ Because God has spoken unto us by His Son, because He is such a glorious personage, and because what He says is of such infinite importance to our eternal welfare.

There are eighteen safeguards for Christians noted in Hebrews: Hearing (2:1); heeding (3:12); exhorting (3:13); fearing (4:1); labouring (4:11); coming (4:16; 10:19-20); leaving (6:1); showing (6:11-12); drawing (10:22); holding (3:6; 10:23); Laying (12:1); looking (12:2; Hebrews 15); considering (12:3); lifting (12:12); making (12:13); following (12:14); going (13:13); obeying (13:17).

‘Slip’ [Greek: pararrhueo] to flow beside or past; to slip away from one’s memory. Only here and means, lest we should let the truth slip away from us and forget we were purged from our old sins (2Pet. 1:4-10).

‘Word spoken by angels’ – Referring to the law which was given by angels (Acts 7:53; Gal. 3:19), and also to special messages from angels, as in the case of Lot’s wife (Gen. 19:17-26); Samson (Jdg. 13:5; with Jdg. 16:19-22), and others.

‘Steadfast’ [Greek: bebaios] steadfast (2:2; 3:14; 6:19; 2Cor. 1:7); firm (3:6); sure (Rom. 4:16; 2Pet. 1:10, 19); and of force (9:17).

‘Transgression’ [Greek: parabasis] Here translated transgression and in Hebrews 9:15; Romans 4:15; 5:14; Galatians 3:19 and 1Timothy 2:14. Translated “breaking the law” in Romans 2:23.

‘Disobedience’ [Greek: parakoe] means an unwillingness to hear (2:2; Rom. 5:19; 2Cor. 10:6).

‘Recompense of reward’ [Greek: misthapodosia] payment of wages; recompense for breaking the law (2:2; 10:35; 11:26).

Ministering Spirits

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Hebrews 1:13-14 But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool? Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation? 

‘Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.’ This is the 6th Old Testament prophecy in Hebrews (1:13; Ps. 110:1) and is fulfilled (Matt. 26:64; Markl 16:19; Acts 2:33-34; 7:55-56; Rom. 8:34; Eph. 1:20; Col. 3:1; Heb. 1:1-3, 13; 8:1; 10:12; 12:2; 1Pet. 3:22).

‘Sent forth to minister’ – Angelic Apostles [Greek: apostello] to send forth as a messenger with a commission, the sender remaining behind. An apostle is one thus sent. Here angels are sent like apostles to minister to the heirs of salvation. It is used for the apostles in Matthew 10:5, 16 and Mark 3:14; 6:7. The word is used 133 times and generally for special missions, not for a permanent job or calling. This may help us to understand why the disciples failed in Matthew 17:1-27, after being sent on a special mission with the power to heal and represent Christ in the cities He was to visit on a special tour. They evidently received power for this one mission, Christ knowing that their full reception of power would come later at Pentecost (Acts 1:8).

‘Heirs’ [Greek: kleronomeo] heirs (1:14; Gal. 4:30); obtain by inheritance (1:4); and to inherit (Matt. 5:5; 19:29; 25:34; Mark 10:17; Luke 10:25; 18:18; 1Cor. 6:9-10; 15:50; Gal. 5:21; Heb. 6:12; 12:17; 1Pet. 3:9; Rev. 21:7). Salvation, like eternal life, is not an unforfeitable possession until we inherit it fully in the next life (Rom. 13:11; 1Thess. 5:9; Heb. 9:28; 1Pet. 1:5, 9,  13).

In the Beginning Part 2

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Hebrews 1:10-12 And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning had laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands: They shall perish; but thou remained; and they all shall wax old as do a garment; And as a vesture shall thou fold them up, and they shall be changed: but thou are the same, and thy years shall not fail.

‘Foundation of the earth’ – Katabole therefore, means the disruption, overthrow, or ruin of the social system before Adam. In Genesis 1:1 we have the themelioo, founding of the earth (1:10), and in Genesis 1:2 we have the katabole, overthrow of the social system on the earth by a flood. Note in the first scriptures above that “from” is used seven times and “before” is used three times in connection with the overthrow of the social world. Thus, the New Testament is very clear that the earth became desolate and empty before it was re-created in the six days of Genesis 1:3-31.

‘Works of thine hands’ With His hands God actually formed the earth (Ps. 8:3, 6; 90:2; 95:5); the heavens (Ps. 8:3; 19:1; 102:25); the moon and the stars (Ps. 8:3; Isa. 40:26; 45:12; 48:13; Heb. 1:10); the living creatures (Gen. 1:10-27; 2:7-25; Job 26:13; Rom. 9:20; 1Tim. 2:13); and all things (Pro. 26:10).

‘Perish’ [Greek: apollumi] mar or ruin, never annihilation. The earth is eternal (Eccl. 1:4; Ps. 104:5), so perish here means to “wax old” as a garment (8:13; Luke 12:33). It also means elsewhere in Scripture to kill (Matt. 2:13; 12:14); torment (Matt. 8:29; Mark 1:24); mar (Mark 2:22); lose (Matt. 10:6, 10:39, 42); be lost (John 17:12; 2Cor. 4:3); perish or die (Matt. 8:25); and to ruin (Matt. 9:17), but never to annihilate.

‘Changed’ [Greek: allasso] to make other than it is; to alter; change, as stated above.

In the Beginning Part 1

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Hebrews 1:10-12 And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning had laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands: They shall perish; but thou remained; and they all shall wax old as do a garment; And as a vesture shall thou fold them up, and they shall be changed: but thou are the same, and thy years shall not fail. 

‘Thou, Lord, in the beginning had laid …’ This is the 5th Old Testament prophecy in Hebrews (1:10-12; Ps. 102:25-27) and is unfulfilled. This will be fulfilled at the end of the Millennium when the heavens and earth will be renovated and made renewed (1:10-12; 12:25-28; Rom. 8:21-25; 2Pet. 3:10-13).

‘Foundation of the earth’ [Greek: katabole] to cast or throw down (note the verb kataballo, translated as “cast down” in 2Cor. 4:9; Rev. 12:10). Katabole should have been translated as “overthrow” or “casting down of the world” in Matthew 13:35; 25:34; Luke 11:50; John 17:24; Ephesians 1:4; Hebrews 4:3; 9:26; 11:10; 1Peter 1:20 and Revelation 13:8; 17:8. Except for Hebrews 11:10, katabole is used with kosmos, social world, and refers to the overthrow of the pre-Adamite world by the flood of Genesis 1:2; 2Peter 3:5-7; Psalms 104:5-9; Jeremiah 4:23-26 and the defeat of Lucifer and his earthly kingdom before Adam (Isa. 14:12-14; Ezek. 28:11-17; Luke 10:18).

Katabole is not the ordinary word for founding or foundation. A reference to the founding of the world would require the use of themelios, as in Luke 6:48-49; 14:29; Acts 16:26; Romans 15:20; 1Corinthians 3:11-12; Ephesians 2:20; 1Timothy 6:19; 2Timothy 2:19; Hebrews 6:1; 11:10 and Revelation 21:14, 19. This word is never used with kosmos, social systems, or used of ge, the earth. The verb, themelioo, occurs in Matthew 7:25; Luke 6:48; Ephesians 3:17; Colossians 1:23; Hebrews 1:10 and 1Peter 5:10. This verb is used only once for the founding of the earth (1:10).

To be continued…

Unto the Son He Said

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Hebrews 1:8-9 But unto the Son he said, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom. Thou had loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, had anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows. 

‘Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever …’ This is the 4th Old Testament prophecy in Hebrews (1:8-9; Ps. 45:6-7) and it is unfulfilled.

‘Sceptre’ – A rod or staff and a symbol of power and government (Ps. 2:9; Rev. 2:27).

‘Thou had loved righteousness, and hated iniquity.’ This is characteristic of a just ruler.

‘God, even thy God, had anointed thee.’ This is spoken of the Son by the prophet. How could the Son have a God who would anoint Him if He Himself were the only God? This clearly proves two separate Persons, both called God (1:8-9).

‘Above thy fellows’ – Threefold office of Christ – No man was ever anointed as prophet, priest, and king before Christ or thereafter. Some were anointed kings, some prophets, and some priests, but in Christ, all these offices are combined. He is Prophet to all mankind (Matt. 5:3-12, 17-20; 7:21-23; 8:11-12; 10:15, 17-23, 25-26, 41-42; 11:20-24; 12:36-37, 39-42, 45; 13:24-33, 35, 39-50; 15:13; 16:18, 21, 27-28; 17:22-23; 18:7, 35; 19:28-30; 20:18-19, 23; 21:2-3, 31; 22:30; 23:34-39; 24:2,4-25:46; 26:12-13, 18, 24-32, 34, 45-46, 64; 27:63; John 1:50-51; 2:19; 4:21, 50; 5:20, 28-30, 43; 6:35-40, 44-45, 62; 7:37-39; 8:21; 10:14-18; 12:31-32; 13:21, 26, 28-30; 15:18-21, 26-27; 16:1-16, 19-28, 32-33; 20:1721:18; Acts 1:4-8; Rev. 1:1-22:21), High Priest to the whole race (3:1; 4:14-16; 5:6; 6:20; 7:11-17), and King of all nations (Dan. 7:13-14; Isa. 9:6-7; Zech. 14:9; Luke 1:32-33; Matt. 25:31-46; Rev. 11:15; 22:4-5).

He is also called “The Creator;” (John 1:3; Col. 1:16; Heb. 1:1-3) “Mediator;” (1Tim. 2:4-5; Heb. 8:6) “Head of the Body;” (Eph. 1:22; Col. 1:16-24) “Saviour;” (2Pet. 3:2) “Judge;” (2Tim. 4:1) “Preserver;” (Heb. 1:1-3) “Life-Giver;” (John 10:28; 17:2) “Lord and Christ;” (Acts 2:36) “The Resurrection and the Life” (Jn. 11:25).

Some men tend to call themselves the prophet, priest and king of their household and over their wives and children, but it is against Scripture and blasphemous to put oneself equal to Christ’s offices for which He gave His life for all of mankind. No man can qualify for these roles in someone else’s life and marriage was not made to elevate one sex or role above the other (Eph. 5: 22-32; Gal. 3:28).

His Ministers a Flame of Fire Part 2

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Hebrews 1:6-7 And again, when he brought in the firstbegotten into the world, he said, And let all the angels of God worship him. And of the angels he said, Who made his angels spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire.

There are ten kinds of spirit beings besides God (continues): [6] Common angels (Gen. 18:2, 4, 8; 19:1-22; Num. 22:22-35; Jdg. 13:6; 2Sam. 14:20; 19:27; Ps. 103:20; Isa. 37:36; Matt. 6:10; 24:36; Mark 8:38; 13:32; Luke 9:26; 20:36; 1Cor. 11:10; Eph. 3:10; 1Pet. 1:12; 2Pet. 2:11; Jude 1:9; Rev. 18:1, etc.). [7] Demons ((Lev. 17:7; 19:31; 20:6; Deut. 18:11; 32:17; 1Sam. 28:3, 9; 2Kin. 21:6; 23:24; 2Chron. 11:15; Ps. 106:37; Isa. 8:19; 19:3). [8] Demonic locusts (Rev. 9:1-11). [9] Demonic horsemen (Rev. 9:12-21). [10] The inner man, or soul and spirit of human beings.

Definition and usage of “Angel”: The word literally means messenger and is used for Christ, angels, and people. [1] Christ, the second Person of the Trinity appeared to men as the messenger of God (1Cor. 10:4, 9; 11:3). He is called: (1) The angel of God (Gen. 21:17; 31:11; Ex. 3:2; Jdg. 6:20; 13:9; Acts 27:23). (2) The angel of the Lord (Gen. 16:7-11; 22:11, 15; Ex. 14:19; Num. 22:22-35; Jdg. 2:1, 4; 6:11-12, 21-22; 13:3-6, 13-21; 2Kin. 1:3, 15; 19:35; 1Chron. 21:12-30; Ps. 34:7; 35:5-6; Isa. 37:36; Zech. 1:9-19; 3:1-6; 12:8; Acts 7:30-38). In all other places where “the angel of the Lord” is found, the term refers to ordinary angels, as in Matthew 1:20, 24; 2:13, 19; 28:2-5; Luke 1:11-38; 2:9-21; Acts 5:19; 8:26; 10:3; 12:7-23. (3) His angel (Gen. 24:7, 40; Ex. 23:20; 33:2; Num. 20:16; 2Chron. 32:21; Dan. 3:28; 6:22). (4) The angel (Gen. 48:16; Eccl. 5:6; Hos. 12:4). (5) Mine angel (Ex. 23:23; 32:34). (6) Angel of His presence (Isa. 63:9). (7) Angel (Rev. 8:3-5; 10:1-11:3). [2] The word angel is used for common angels in Psalms 104:4. [3] It is used of men in Revelation 1:1, 20; 2:1, 8, 12, 18; 3:1, 7, 14; 19:9, 10; 22:6-8, 16. In other places, it is nearly always clear that common angels who are spirit beings and heavenly creatures are referred to.

His Ministers a Flame of Fire Part 1

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Hebrews 1:6-7 And again, when he brought in the firstbegotten into the world, he said, And let all the angels of God worship him. And of the angels he said, Who made his angels spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire. 

‘And let all the angels of God worship him.’ This is the 3rd Old Testament prophecy in Hebrews (1:6; Deut. 32:43) and has been fulfilled. This prophecy is quoted from the Septuagint of Deuteronomy 32:43, “Rejoice, you heaven, together with him; and let all the angels of God worship him.”

‘Who makes his angels spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire.’ Quoted from Psalms 104:4.

‘Angel spirits’ – The word “spirit” is found 551 times in Scripture. From these references, the 297 times “angel” is found, and from over 20,000 others about God who is a spirit being, we learn all there is to know about the spirit world – all the various kinds of spirit beings that inhabit the unseen material world and under the earth (Php. 2:10; Rev. 5:3, 13).

There are ten kinds of spirit beings besides God: [1] Seraphim (Isa. 6:1-7). [2] Cherubim (Gen. 3:24; Ezek. 1:5-28; 8:1-4; 10:1-22). [3] Zoa, or Living Creatures (Rev. 4:6 – 5:14; 6:1-8; 7:11; 14:3, 9-11; 15:7; 19:4). [4] Spirit animals are shaped like the fleshly ones we have on earth (2Kin. 2:11-12; 6:13-17; Zech. 1:8-11; 6:1-8; Rom. 1:20; 2Cor. 12:1-4; Rev. 19:11-21). [5] Archangels, or chief angels rule kingdoms (Col. 1:15-18; 1Thess. 4:16; Jude 1:9). (1) Michael, one of the chief princes, the prince of Israel (Dan. 10:13, 21; 11:1; 12:1; 1Thess. 4:16; Jude 1:9; Rev. 12:7-9). (2) Gabriel, who stands before God (Dan. 8:16-19; 9:20-23; 10:8 – 11:1; Luke 1:19, 26). (3) Lucifer, the original ruler of the Earth and present pseudo-ruler of man’s dominion on Earth (Isa. 14:12-14; Ezek. 28:11-17; Matt. 4:1-11; Luke 10:18; Eph. 2:2; Rev. 12:7-9). (4) Unnamed princes of Persia and Grecia (Dan. 10:13 – 11:1; Rev. 11:7; 17:8).

To be continued…

Thou are My Son

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Hebrews 1:5 For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou are 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? 

‘Thou are my Son, this day have I begotten thee.’ This is the first Old Testament prophecy in Hebrews (1:5; Ps. 2:7) and has been fulfilled by His birth. This refers to the incarnation when the second person of the Divine Trinity took a human body to redeem (Php. 2:5-11; Isa. 7:14; 9:6). It was when God had a Son through Mary (Matt. 1:18-25; Luke 1:35; John 1:14). This happened on a certain day: “This day have I begotten thee” (Heb. 1:5-7). Therefore, we cannot say that God had a Son before this time. This proves that sonship in connection with God had to refer to humanity and not to deity.

As God, the person we now know as Jesus Christ had no beginning, was not begotten, was not a Son, and did not come into being. He always existed as God (Ps. 90:2; Mic. 5:2; John 1:1-2; Heb. 1:8). But as man and as God’s Son He was not eternal. He had a beginning. He was begotten – at the same time Mary had a Son. Therefore, the doctrine of the eternal sonship of Jesus Christ is irreconcilable to reason, unscriptural, and contradictory to itself. Eternity has no beginning, so if He has been God from eternity, then He could not have a beginning as God. Eternity has no reference to time, so if He was begotten “this day,” then it was done in time and not in eternity.

The word Son supposes time, generations, father, mother, beginning, and conception – unless one is a son by creation, as Adam (Luke 3:38), and angels (Job 1:6; 2:1; 38:7; Gen. 6:1-4). “Time, created, and beginning,” are opposites to God and eternity and are absolutely impossible to reconcile with them. If sonship refers to deity, not to humanity, then this person of the Deity had a beginning in time and not in eternity. It is plainly stated in Psalms 2:7; Acts 13:33 and Hebrews 1:5; 5:5 that God had a Son “this day” and not in eternity. It is stated in Hebrews 1:5-7; Luke 1:35 and Matthew 1:18-25 when this took place. It was nearly 2,000 years ago. It had been predicted that God would have a Son (Isa. 7:14; 9:6; Heb. 1:5; Matt. 1:18-25; Luke 1:32-35). This was fulfilled when the virgin conceived “of the Holy Ghost” (Matt. 1:20), not at any other time. To say that God had an eternal Son would mean He had two; but it is plainly stated that Jesus was “the only begotten of the Father” (John 1:14, 18; 3:16-18; 1Jn. 4:9).

‘I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son.’ This is the 2nd Old Testament prophecy in Hebrews (1:5; 2Sam. 7:14) and was fulfilled when Christ was born.

So Much Better

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Hebrews 1:4 Being made so much better than the angels, as he had by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they. 

‘Better’ – Christ is better [Greek: kreitton] stronger, mightier, greater, more excellent. Translated better 13 times in Hebrews, the Book of better things.

Christ is better than the: Prophets (1:1-3), angels (1:4 – 2:18), Moses (3:1-18), Joshua (4:1-13), the High Priest (4:14 – 6:12), Melchizedek (7:1-10), Abraham (6:13 – 7:10), Aaron and other earthly priests (7:11 – 8:6), the old covenant sacrifices (8:7 – 10:39), the old covenant faith-worthies (11:1 – 12:2), parents and others (12:3 – 13:25).

‘Angels’ – The Jews had the highest opinion of angels and even associated them with God. On their own ground, Paul proves to them that Jesus is God, to be worshipped by angels (1:6).

Christ is better than the Angels: He obtained a more excellent name (1:4). He is the only begotten Son of God (1:5). To be worshipped by angels (1:6). He is the Creator of angels (1:7; Col. 1:15-18). A member of the Godhead (1:8; John 1:1). An eternal Being, not a creature (1:8). An eternal King (1:8). God’s only Anointed One (1:9). Creator of the material world (1:10).

The renewer of all creations (1:11-12). The only exalted One (1:13). The Director of angels (1:14). Rejecting His word entails greater punishment than rejecting that of angels (2:1-3). Greater confirmation of the Word (2:3-4). Greater conqueror than angels (2:5, 8). Has greater authority than angels (2:6-7). Greater humiliation than angels (2:9). Greater glory and honour. Greater love than angels. All things are created for Him (2:10). He is the Creator of all things. He is the redeemer of man. Perfected through His sufferings. Sanctifier of man (2:11). Became a brother to man (2:11-13). Preacher of God’s name to man (2:12). Singer of God’s praise amid the congregations. He has perfect trust in God (2:13). Adopts children to God. Partook of human nature (2:14-18). Died to destroy death (2:14). Conquered the devil (2:14; 1Jn. 3:8). Delivered people from hell (2:1-14; Eph. 4:8-10; Matt. 12:40; Ps. 16:10). Made in all things like human beings so that He could redeem them (2:1-14, 17). Suffered temptation and won, so He could help those tempted (2:1-14, 18).

‘By inheritance obtained a more excellent name. Three ways Jesus obtained His great name: By birth (Matt. 1:21). By inheritance (1:4). By achievements (Php. 2:5-11).

The Brightness of His Glory

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Hebrews 1:3 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

‘Brightness’ [Greek: apaugasma], translated as reflection.

‘Glory’ [Greek: doxa] translated as glory 145 times (1:3; 2:7, 9, 10; 3:3; 9:5; 13:21); glorious (Rom. 8:21; 2Cor. 4:4; Php. 3:21; Col. 1:11); praise (John 9:24; 12:43; 1Pet. 4:11); honour (John 5:41, 44; 8:54; 2Cor. 6:8; Rev. 19:7); worship (Luke 14:10); and dignity (2Pet. 2:10; Jude 1:8).

‘Express image’ [Greek: character] exact expression, or impression as when metal is pressed into a die, or as a seal upon wax.

‘Person’ [Greek: hupostasis] person (1:3); substance (11:1); confidence (3:14; 2Cor. 11:17); and confident (2Cor. 9:4). Here it refers to an essential substance or that which constitutes deity in body, soul, and spirit.

‘Word of his power.’ By His word of power, all things are upheld and sustained eternally.

‘By himself purged our sins.’ By His atonement sins are purged, not by water baptism, the Lord’s Supper, or any other ritual or form of religion (Matt. 26:28; Rom. 3:24-25; 5:1-11; Col. 1:14; Heb. 9:22; 1Jn. 1:7-9; 1Pet. 1:18-23; 2:24; Rev. 1:5; 5:8-10).

‘Sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high.’ Christ’s exaltation at the right hand of God (Matt. 26:64; Mark 16:19; Acts 2:33-34; 7:56; Rom. 8:34; Eph. 1:20; Col. 3:1; Heb. 1:3; 8:1; 10:12; 12:2; 1Pet. 3:22). Another proof of God and Christ being separate and distinct persons who sit side by side.