Hebrews 1

5 In verses 5-13, the writer of this letter quotes seven passages from the Old Testament to show his readers that Christ is indeed superior to the angels. Notice that in all of these Old Testament quotations it is God who is speaking. Let us keep in mind that the entire Old Testament (as well as the New Testament) is God’s own word (verse 1). Through the Bible, God continues to speak to us today.

God has never said to any angel: “You are my Son.” God has only one Son, and that is Jesus Christ. Jesus has always been God’s Son (see John 1:1-2,14).

In this verse, the writer quotes from Psalm 2:7and 2 Samuel 7:14. These OldTes-tament verses are prophecies which were written about Christ.

6 Christ is God’s firstborn. Christ is the firstborn in two ways. First, He is God’s one and only Son (John 1:14). Second, He was the first to rise from the dead; therefore, He is the “firstborn” of all those who will be resurrected (see Romans 8:29; 1 Corinthians 15:20).

In this verse, the writer quotes from Deuteronomy 32:43 and Psalm 97:7. Let all God’s angels worship him (Christ). Since the angels worship Christ, we know that Christ must be above the angels.

7 Here the writer quotes from Psalm 104:4. Angels serve God like winds and flames of fire. That is, they appear when God has a special assignment for them to do, and when they have completed it, they disappear again—just as wind and fire come one moment and go the next. The angels have no independence; they are only servants.

8-9 But Christ is not only a servant of God; He is also God’s Son. Christ does not come and go like an angel. Christ’s throne—that is, His kingdom—will last for ever and ever (verse 8). Notice here that Christ is called O God. And RIGHTEOUSNESS will be the scepter, or rule, of His kingdom. Among kings, only Christ rules with complete righteousness. In these verses 8-9, the writer quotes Psalm 45:6-7.

God has set Christ above [His] companions—that is, bove believers—by anointing [Him] with the oil of joy (verse 9). The oil of joy is the joy of the Holy Spirit (see Hebrews 12:2). Therefore, this verse means that God has given Christ His Holy Spirit without measure (John 3:34; Acts 10:38). We believers, however, are given the Spirit accordingto measure (Romans 12:3; Ephe-sians 4:7).

10-12 In these verses, the writer quotes from Psalm 102:25-27. Notice that God here calls Christ O Lord. Christ is the creator of heaven and earth. Heaven and earth will perish, but Christ will remain (verse 11); He will remain the same (verse 12).

13 This verse is quoted from Psalm 110:1 (see 1 Corinthians 15:25; Ephesians 1:2022; Hebrews 10:12-13). God has never told an angel: “Sit at my right hand.” That place is reserved for Christ alone. From His throne at the right hand of God, Christ now reigns with all authority and power.

14 God’s Son Christ rules on the throne. Angels are ministering spirits. These angels have been sent to serve those who will inherit salvation—that is, believers in Christ. Angels stand in the presence of God, but they are only messengers of Christ (see Luke 1:19). Christ is supreme.

Believers are those who will inherit SALVATION. We who have believed in Christ already have been saved. But only after Christ has come again at the end of the world will we receive our full inheritance, our full salvation (see General Article: Way of Salvation).