“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;”
My Notes
What Does Hebrews 1:3 Mean?
The writer of Hebrews packs an entire Christology into a single verse. Jesus is described as the brightness of God's glory — the radiance, the shining forth, the visible emanation of who God is. He is the express image of God's person — the exact representation, like a seal pressed into wax.
"Upholding all things by the word of his power" describes Christ's ongoing sustaining of the entire universe. He is not just the creator who made it and stepped back. He is the sustainer who holds it together moment by moment. The universe exists because Christ is actively maintaining it.
"When he had by himself purged our sins" — the purification of sin was accomplished by Christ alone, without assistance. It was a solo act of divine atonement.
"Sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high" — the sitting signifies completed work. He is not still laboring. The purging is done. He is seated — in the position of ultimate authority.
Reflection Questions
- 1.What does it mean that Jesus is the 'brightness' of God's glory rather than a reflection of it?
- 2.How does Christ 'upholding all things' change your view of his involvement in daily reality?
- 3.What does Jesus 'sitting down' signify about the completeness of his work on the cross?
- 4.How does the scale of Christ — sustaining the universe — affect your confidence in his care for you?
Devotional
The brightness of his glory. Not a reflection. The brightness itself. When God shines, Jesus is the light that comes out. He is not pointing to God's glory from a distance. He is the radiance.
The express image of his person. The exact imprint. A perfect stamp. What God is, Jesus displays — with no distortion, no dilution, no approximation. If you want to know what God looks like, look at Jesus. That is as close as language can get.
Upholding all things by the word of his power. Right now, at this moment, the universe holds together because Christ is holding it. The atoms in your body, the orbit of planets, the fabric of space-time — sustained by his word. Every second.
When he had by himself purged our sins, sat down. The work is finished. The purging is complete. And the one who did it is now seated at the highest position in the universe.
The same person who upholds galaxies purged your sins. The same power sustaining the cosmos was aimed at your redemption. You are not an afterthought. You are the reason he did the work before he sat down.
Commentary
Trusted original commentary from respected historical Bible scholars and theologians.
Who being the brightness of his glory,.... Or "of glory"; of God the Father, the God of glory, and who is glory itself;…
Who being the brightness of his glory - This verse is designed to state the dignity and exalted rank of the Son of God,…
The brightness of his glory - Απαυγασμα της δοξης The resplendent outbeaming of the essential glory of God. Hesychius…
Here the apostle begins with a general declaration of the excellency of the gospel dispensation above that of the law,…
the brightness The substitution of "effulgence" for "brightness" in the Revised Version is not, as it has been…
Cross References
Related passages throughout Scripture