Hebrews 1:3

 

The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His nature, upholding all things by His powerful word. After He had provided purification for sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.
Hebrews 1:3 Berean Standard Bible (BSB)
 
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;
Hebrews 1:3 King James Bible (KJV)
 
The Son is the radiance of his glory and the representation of his essence, and he sustains all things by his powerful word, and so when he had accomplished cleansing for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.
Hebrews 1:3 New English Translation (KJV)
 
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The Son is the radiance of God’s glory
The phrase "The Son is the radiance of God’s glory" speaks to the divine nature and majesty of Jesus Christ. The Greek word for "radiance" (ἀπαύγασμα, apaugasma) suggests an outshining or effulgence, indicating that Jesus is not merely a reflection but the very emanation of God's glory. This concept is deeply rooted in the Old Testament, where God's glory (כָּבוֹד, kavod) often signifies His presence and majesty, as seen in the Shekinah glory that filled the temple (1 Kings 8:10-11). Historically, this underscores the belief that Jesus is the visible manifestation of the invisible God, a core tenet of Christian doctrine affirming His divinity.
 
and the exact representation of His nature
The term "exact representation" (χαρακτήρ, charakter) in Greek refers to an imprint or stamp, like that made by a die or seal. This implies that Jesus perfectly embodies the essence and character of God. In the historical context of the Roman Empire, coins bore the image of the emperor, signifying authority and authenticity. Similarly, Jesus is the precise imprint of God's being, affirming His role in revealing the Father to humanity. This aligns with John 14:9, where Jesus says, "Anyone who has seen Me has seen the Father," emphasizing His unique role in the divine revelation.
 
upholding all things by His powerful word
The phrase "upholding all things by His powerful word" highlights the sustaining power of Christ. The Greek word for "upholding" (φέρων, pheron) conveys the idea of carrying or bearing. This suggests that Jesus not only created the universe but also continuously sustains it. The "powerful word" (ῥήματι τῆς δυνάμεως, rhemati tes dynameos) indicates the authority and effectiveness of His command, reminiscent of the creative word of God in Genesis 1. This reflects the historical understanding of God's providence and sovereignty, where Christ is actively involved in the ongoing maintenance of creation.
 
After He had provided purification for sins
The phrase "After He had provided purification for sins" refers to the atoning work of Christ. The Greek word for "purification" (καθαρισμός, katharismos) denotes a cleansing or purging, often used in the context of ritual purification in the Old Testament (Leviticus 16:30). This highlights the sacrificial nature of Jesus' death, fulfilling the requirements of the Law and providing a means for humanity to be cleansed from sin. Historically, this act is central to Christian theology, emphasizing the sufficiency and completeness of Christ's sacrifice on the cross.
 
He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high
The phrase "He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high" signifies the exaltation and authority of Christ. In ancient cultures, sitting at the right hand of a king symbolized a position of honor and power. The "Majesty on high" refers to God the Father, and this imagery is drawn from Psalm 110:1, a messianic psalm that speaks of the Messiah's enthronement. This historical and scriptural context affirms Jesus' divine authority and His role as the eternal High Priest, who, having completed His redemptive work, now reigns with the Father in glory.
 
Berean Study Bible
 
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Radiance of the Glory of God: This phrase suggests that Jesus embodies the glory of God. The word "radiance" implies that Jesus does not merely reflect God's glory but is an integral part of it, emanating from God Himself.
 
Exact Imprint of His Nature: This indicates that Jesus fully represents God's character or essence. The term "exact imprint" or "express image" (in some translations) suggests an exact representation, like a stamp or seal, implying that Jesus is the perfect expression of God's nature.
 
Upholds the Universe by the Word of His Power: This part speaks to Jesus's role in the ongoing maintenance of the cosmos. It means that by His power, Jesus sustains all things, indicating His divine authority over creation.
 
After Making Purification for Sins: Here, the text refers to Jesus's atoning work on the cross. "Purification for sins" alludes to the sacrificial death of Jesus which, according to Christian theology, cleanses humanity from sin.
 
Sat Down at the Right Hand of the Majesty on High: The act of sitting down symbolizes the completion of His redemptive work. The "right hand" of God is a place of honor, authority, and power, indicating that Jesus has been exalted after His resurrection and ascension.
 
This verse encapsulates several key theological points:
 
The divinity of Christ, highlighting His oneness with God.
His role in creation and its preservation.
His redemptive work through sacrifice.
His current exalted position and authority.
 
Hebrews 1:3 is often cited to discuss the nature of Christ's divinity and His role in both creation and redemption within Christian theology.
 
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Who being the brightness of his glory,.... Or "of glory"; of God the Father, the God of glory, and who is glory itself; so called on account of his glorious nature and perfections and because of the glorious manifestations of them in his works of creation and providence, and in the various dispensations of his grace, and especially in his Son; and because he is the author of all glory, in the creatures, in the whole world, in Christ as man and Mediator, and in his own people. Now Christ is the "brightness" of this, as he is God; he has the same glorious nature and perfections, and the same glorious names, as Jehovah, the Lord of glory, &c. and the same glory, homage, and worship given him: the allusion is to the sun, and its beam or ray: so some render it "the ray of his glory"; and may lead us to observe, that the Father and the Son are of the same nature, as the sun and its ray; and that the one is not before the other, and yet distinct from each other, and cannot be divided or separated one from another: so the phrase זין יקריה, "the brightness of his glory", is used of the divine Being, in the Chaldee paraphrases (r); see the Apocrypha.
 
"For she is the brightness of the everlasting light, the unspotted mirror of the power of God, and the image of his goodness.'' (Wisdom 7:26)
 
And the express image of his person; this intends much the same as the other phrase; namely, equality and sameness of nature, and distinction of persons; for if the Father is God, Christ must be so too; and if he is a person, his Son must be so likewise, or he cannot be the express image and character of him; See Gill on Col_1:15.
 
And upholding all things by the word of his power; the Syriac version renders it, "by the power of his word", to the same sense, only inverting the words. The Targumist on 2Ch_2:6 uses a phrase very much like this, of God, whom the heaven of heavens cannot contain; because, adds he, סביל כלא בדרע גבורתיה, "he bears", or "sustains all things by the arm of his power"; and the words are to be understood not of the Father, upholding all things by his essential and powerful Word, his Son; but of the Son himself, who upholds all creatures he has made; bears up the pillars of the universe; preserves every creature in its being, and supports it, and supplies it with the necessaries of life; rules and governs all, and providentially orders and disposes of all things in the world, and that by his all powerful will; which makes it manifest, that he is truly and properly God, and a very fit person to be a priest, as follows:
 
when he had by himself purged our sins; the Arabic and Ethiopic versions seem to refer this to God the Father, as if he, by Christ, made the expiation of sin, and then caused him to sit down at his right hand; but it belongs to the Son himself, who of himself, and by himself alone, and by the sacrifice of himself, made atonement for the sins of his people; which is meant by the purgation of them: he took their sins upon himself, and bore them, and removed them far away, and utterly abolished them, which the priests under the law could not do: and when he had so done,
 
he sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high; by "Majesty" is meant God the Father, to whom majesty belongs; who is clothed with it, and which is before him: and his "right hand" designs his power, greatness, and glory, and is expressive of the high honour Christ, as man, is possessed of; for his sitting here denotes the glorious exaltation of him in human nature, after his sufferings, and death, and resurrection from the dead; and shows that he had done his work, and was accepted, and was now enjoying rest and ease, honour and glory, in which he will continue; and the place of his session, as well as of the habitation of God, at whose right hand he sits, is on high, in the highest heavens.
 
(r) Targum in 2 Sam xxii. 13. & in Cant. v. 10.
 
John Gill’s Exposition of the Bible
 
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Cross References:
 
Colossians 1:15-17
The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in Him all things were created, things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities. All things were created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.
 
Philippians 2:6
Who, existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,