Hebrews 1 (JND) - Bible Truth Library

• The immeasurable superiority of Christ, and consequently of Christianity, comes out in this respect at the starting point; and the more strikingly, because no Christian questions the divine inspiration of all the ancient oracles. Yet every true Christian feels the different and surpassing character, not only of Christ's words in the Gospels, but of the apostolic writings and the N.T. as a whole. It is truly Christ speaking in them all; it is God revealing Himself in Him as Son, with an intimacy peculiar to Him alone and in all its perfectness. And this superiority we may see running through the entire Epistle. He is above all men and angels; He is God and Jehovah, seated though man where no creature could be. He is the true Captain of salvation, not Joshua. He is far above Moses the apostle of the Jewish confession, far beyond Aaron the Levitical high priest, more than filling up the wonderful picture of Melchisedec. And no wonder; for Moses and Aaron were but servants in that house of which He was the builder, as indeed of all things. They were all brought into being by Him, and without Him was not one thing brought into being of the created universe. Nor is it only above all persons and offices that we see Jesus; but He alone gives a fuller and more divine meaning to every institution God set up in Israel. Take covenant in chap. 8: and sanctuary, sacrifice, and offering in chaps. 9,10. Everywhere His incontestable superiority is no less apparent; so as in Christianity at least to involve and prepare the way for their passing away, as the shadows and signs of that substance which now abides in all its preciousness to God, in all its efficacy for the believer. (“Hebrews 1:1-2” by W. Kelly)

• the Bible, whose unity turns on Christ, once promised, now come and, after accomplishing His work on earth, exalted at God's right hand in heaven. It is above all God revealed in the Son. (“Hebrews 1:1-2” by W. Kelly)

• Here it is rather the continuity of divine testimony culminating in Christ, Who has laid in His blood and death the unchangeable basis for everlasting blessing, and gives the most glorious expression to its character in His own session as man on the throne of the Majesty in the heavens. For this reason, from the first chapter to the last of this Epistle to the Hebrews, we have the Law, the Psalms, and the Prophets cited more fully than in any other part of the N.T. (“Hebrews 1:1-2” by W. Kelly)

• And here is another superiority which we shall trace in detail, that what He gives us is in each case declared to be " eternal," in contrast with the temporary good things of Israel. He is the author of "eternal salvation" (chap. 5: 9). He has found an " eternal redemption," and we receive the promise of the " eternal inheritance " (chap. 9.), even as He by the "eternal Spirit" offered Himself without spot to God, and the covenant consequently is " eternal " (chap. 13.). (“Hebrews 1:1-2” by W. Kelly)

• The glory of Christ's person, Son of God and Son of Man, is developed in Heb. 1 and 2, and in both with His work, not only for purging us, but to vindicate God, annul the power of evil, reconcile all things, succor the tried, and bring many sons to glory. This is the admirable introduction, followed by His office of apostle and high priest for those who are pilgrims passing through the wilderness of the world to the rest of God, as we see in Heb. 3, 4; and it is precisely to such, no longer in Egypt but with Canaan in view, that the priesthood of Christ applies, as is shown in Heb. 4, 5, 6, along with the hindrances by the way, the awful peril of going back, and the grounds and motives for the full assurance of hope to the end. Heb. 7. is an elaborate proof from first to last of the Melchizedek priesthood, fulfilled not yet in its exercise but in its order in Christ, altogether and incontestably beyond that of Aaron. (“Hebrews 8:1-2” by W. Kelly)

• {whole book} In chapter 1 we find the glory of the Person of the Messiah, the Son of God, by whom God has spoken to the people. When I say “to the people,” it is evident that we understand the epistle to be addressed to the believing remnant. (“Hebrews 1” by J.N. Darby)

• {whole book} that He should be in heaven and not have raised His people to the possession of earthly glory-this did not suit the carnal state of their hearts. (“Hebrews 1” by J.N. Darby)

• {whole book} Thus, although the assembly is not found in the Epistle to the Hebrews, save in an allusion to all comprised in the millennial glory in chapter 12, the Saviour of the assembly is there presented in His Person, His work and His priesthood, most richly to our hearts and to our spiritual intelligence; and the heavenly calling is in itself very particularly developed. (“Hebrews 1” by J.N. Darby)

• {whole book} The reference by the apostle Peter to an epistle written by Paul to the Jews, which he classes among “other Scriptures,” would seem to indicate that the apostle Paul is the writer (2 Peter 3:15-16). (“The Glories of the Person of Christ: Hebrews 1-2” by H. Smith)

• {whole book} In the epistle, Christ Himself is presented as the Apostle by whom God has spoken to man. (“The Glories of the Person of Christ: Hebrews 1-2” by H. Smith)

• {whole book} Hebrews is the only book in the Bible which begins with the word, GOD. (“Hebrews 1” by F.B. Hole)

• {the fathers} The epistle is to the Hebrews, for the expression, “the fathers,” would have no meaning for a Gentile. (“Hebrews 1” by F.B. Hole)

• {whole book} As the heavens are high above the earth so the antitype exceeds the type. In our epistle the resemblance is taken for granted, and it is the contrast which is stressed. (“Hebrews 1” by F.B. Hole)

J. N. Darby Translation

God having spoken in many parts and in many ways formerlyg to the fathers in the prophets,

JND Translation Notes

Or "of old."

W. Kelly Translation

In many measures and in many mannersa of old God having spoken to the fathers in the prophets

WK Translation Notes

Neither "sundry times" nor "divers manners" of the KJV conveys the force of Polymerōs kai polytropōs, "In many measures and in many manners." The word palai, "in times past," or "of old," is the sole expression of time. Then He spoke "in many parts." His word was but fragmentary, perfect in its object, but in no wise that fullness which it was in His purpose to bestow when the due moment arrived.