Hebrews 1:3 kjv

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 nkjv

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 at the right hand of the Majesty on high,

Hebrews 1:3 niv

The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.

Hebrews 1:3 esv

He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,

Hebrews 1:3 nlt

The Son radiates God's own glory and expresses the very character of God, and he sustains everything by the mighty power of his command. When he had cleansed us from our sins, he sat down in the place of honor at the right hand of the majestic God in heaven.

Hebrews 1 verses

Hebrews 1 3 Meaning

Hebrews 1:3 presents a profound declaration of the absolute supremacy and divine nature of Jesus Christ. It identifies Him as the perfect revelation of God, being the effulgence of God's glory and the exact representation of His essence. Far from being a mere prophet or angel, Christ is the active Sustainer of the entire cosmos through His powerful word. The verse then highlights His completed work of atonement, where He, by Himself, purged humanity's sins, culminating in His exalted enthronement at the right hand of God, the Supreme Majesty, in the highest heaven.

Hebrews 1 3 Context

Hebrews chapter 1 opens the epistle by establishing the foundational theme: the incomparable supremacy of Jesus Christ. Following an introduction that contrasts God's past, partial revelations through prophets with His final, full revelation through the Son (Heb 1:1-2), verse 3 plunges into a detailed exposition of the Son's inherent divine nature, His cosmic role, and His redemptive work. This robust presentation serves as an immediate counter-argument to any prevailing notions, possibly among Jewish believers struggling with Christ's identity, that might diminish Him below the angels, the Law, or other esteemed figures in Jewish tradition. The emphasis on His eternal divine attributes, His active sustenance of the universe, and His finished work of cleansing sins sets the stage for the subsequent arguments that Christ is superior to angels (Heb 1:4-2:18), Moses (Heb 3:1-4:13), and the Aaronic priesthood (Hebrews 5-10), all designed to anchor the Jewish Christians firmly in Christ as the complete and final fulfillment of God's purposes.

Hebrews 1 3 Word analysis

• He: (οὗτος, houtos) Refers directly to "the Son" from Hebrews 1:2. This pronoun establishes continuity and highlights the specific person of Christ as the subject of these majestic declarations.
• being the brightness: (ὢν ἀπαύγασμα, ōn apaugasma)
  • Apaugasma signifies both "radiance" (light that shines forth) and "reflection" (light reflected). It conveys the idea that Christ is the direct emanation of God's glory, not merely a recipient of it. He is eternally one with the Father in substance and nature, much like a ray of light is inseparable from its source, the sun. This term asserts Christ's co-equality and co-eternity with the Father, without suggesting a separation or distinct creation.
  • Significance: This strongly combats any notion of Christ being a created being or inferior to God the Father, positioning Him as essentially divine.
• of His glory: (τῆς δόξης αὐτοῦ, tēs doxēs autou) "Glory" (doxa) refers to the inherent majestic and excellent nature of God—His attributes, honor, splendor, and manifest presence. Christ is the full, visible manifestation of this otherwise invisible divine essence.
• and the express image: (καὶ χαρακτὴρ τῆς ὑποστάσεως, kai charaktēr tēs hypostaseōs)
  • Charaktēr means "an exact impression," like that made by a seal or stamp, a perfect copy. It implies precise reproduction without distortion.
  • Hypostaseōs here refers to God's "essence," "substance," "being," or "true nature," rather than a distinct "person" as understood in later Trinitarian theology.
  • Significance: Christ is not just similar to God, but is the exact imprint of God's very being. To see Christ is to truly see God's character and essence revealed (Jn 14:9).
• of His person: (lit. "of His essence/substance" or "His being"). Clarifies that Christ shares the very nature and being of the Father.
• and upholding: (φέρων, pherōn) Present participle, conveying a continuous, ongoing action. Means "bearing along," "sustaining," or "carrying forward." This signifies Christ's active role as the Sustainer, not just the Creator, of the universe.
• all things: (τὰ πάντα, ta panta) An all-encompassing term, referring to the entire creation, visible and invisible.
• by the word: (τῷ ῥήματι, tō rhēmati) A spoken word or command. Here it denotes the active, dynamic power resident in Christ's authoritative command.
• of His power: (τῆς δυνάμεως αὐτοῦ, tēs dynameōs autou) Dynamis refers to inherent power, ability, or strength. This emphasizes the divine, effectual power by which Christ continuously governs and preserves all things.
• when He had by Himself: (ποιήσας δι᾽ αὑτοῦ, poiēsas di' hautou) "Having made/effected through Himself." Emphasizes Christ's singular, self-sufficient agency in performing the atonement. No outside help or intermediary was needed.
• purged our sins: (καθαρισμὸν τῶν ἁμαρτιῶν, katharismon tōn hamartiōn) "Purification of sins." Refers to the removal of defilement and guilt, leading to spiritual cleanness. This is achieved through Christ's sacrificial death. It indicates a complete and definitive act, addressing the root of sin.
• sat down: (ἐκάθισεν, ekathisen) An Aorist tense verb, denoting a completed action with lasting results. This act signifies Christ's work being finished, His triumph over sin and death, and His permanent assumption of royal authority and priestly rest.
• on the right hand: (ἐν δεξιᾷ, en dexia) The preeminent place of honor, power, authority, and intimacy with God in ancient cultures. It signifies sharing God's supreme authority and reigning power.
• of the Majesty: (τῆς μεγαλωσύνης, tēs megalōsynēs) Refers to God the Father. This term emphasizes the immense, incomparable greatness, transcendence, and divine sovereignty of God.
• on high: (ἐν ὑψηλοῖς, en hypsēlois) Signifies a celestial location of supreme honor, literally "in the highest places" or "in the heavens." This further accentuates Christ's elevated, ultimate authority.

• Brightness of His glory and the express image of His person: These two phrases together form a powerful statement of Christ's inherent, eternal deity. He is not just like God, but truly God, reflecting God's very essence perfectly. This directly refutes any unitarian or subordinist views that emerged regarding Christ's nature.
• Upholding all things by the word of His power: This emphasizes Christ's active and ongoing role as the divine Sustainer of the cosmos. He is not a passive figure; His authoritative word constantly maintains the order and existence of the universe. This speaks to His continuing divine sovereignty.
• When He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high: This climactic segment summarizes Christ's finished redemptive work and subsequent exaltation. "By Himself" underscores the unique and sufficient nature of His sacrifice. His "sitting down" signifies the completion of His work, the efficacy of His atonement, and His assumption of cosmic reign as both High Priest and King. The location "on the right hand of the Majesty on high" indicates His ultimate authority and co-equal status with God the Father in heavenly dominion.

Hebrews 1 3 Bonus section

The concept of "brightness of His glory" (ἀπαύγασμα) and "express image of His person" (χαρακτὴρ τῆς ὑποστάσεως) together present a strong defense against two specific philosophical ideas prevalent at the time: Gnosticism, which often posited intermediary beings (aeons) as emanations from God that were progressively less divine, and Hellenistic Jewish speculation, which sometimes elevated figures like angels or wisdom (σοφία) to positions of quasi-divine importance, potentially diminishing Christ's unique status. Hebrews decisively refutes such views by stating Christ is not a diluted emanation but the very radiance, not merely a reflection or partial likeness but the exact imprint of God's essence, ensuring no conceptual gap between Christ and the Father. This emphasizes His full divinity and unparalleled uniqueness in bridging the gap between God and humanity. The verse thus sets Christ apart from all other beings or concepts, asserting His unparalleled divine nature and function.

Hebrews 1 3 Commentary

Hebrews 1:3 is a dense theological masterpiece, encapsulating the core Christological beliefs. It unveils Jesus Christ not merely as a prophet, but as the quintessential revelation of God the Father, who flawlessly mirrors God's radiant glory and embodies His essential nature. This declaration unequivocally establishes Christ's deity, distinct from but co-equal with the Father. His cosmic involvement extends beyond creation; He is the dynamic, sustaining force holding the universe together through His omnipotent command. The pivotal point is His solitary act of purifying sins through His atoning work, demonstrating His absolute sufficiency as Savior. This complete and efficacious sacrifice culminated in His enthronement at God's right hand, signifying not only finished work but also supreme authority, sovereign reign, and rest. This verse is the theological cornerstone of the entire epistle, demonstrating Christ's unassailable superiority and the complete finality of God's saving work in Him.