Hebrews 1

In this post I will be highlighting some key points from the first chapter of Hebrews. You can either pull out your own Bible or read chapter 1 in its entirety here. The link will bring you to the English Standard Version (ESV), but you can choose a different version if you prefer.

In verse 1, this book starts off by acknowledging how God spoke through prophets in the past. Verse 2 then says, “but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world.”

The connection here is important because the Jewish Christians receiving this letter were criticized for their belief in Jesus. Some of their family and friends likely thought their new path was absurd. But the author is acknowledging here that following Jesus doesn’t mean they are turning away from their former faith. Jesus is the fulfillment of that faith.

And this verse is a good reminder for us, because Jesus is still speaking to each of us today. He continually guides us with all of our needs. Sometimes our lives can be busy and all the “noise” drowns out His voice. Therefore, it is good practice to make space for God in our lives.

Verse 3 paints a beautiful picture: “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.”

Jesus is the radiance of God and His exact representation. When we look at Jesus and His life, we see what our Heavenly Father is like.

The last sentence in this verse warms my heart because it emphasizes the complete work of Jesus.

In John 19:30 it says, “When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, ‘It is finished,’ and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.”

The Greek word for “it is finished” is Tetelestai, and it can also mean “paid in full.”

Charles Martin said it well: “Tetelestai—‘It is finished’ —may be the most significant word ever uttered across the stratosphere. The single most important statement in all of human history. Spoken by the innocent and dying only begotten Son of God. Tetelestai is a stake driven into eternity, which stands there still, and the kingdom of darkness is powerless against it.” [1]

And that’s why I love verse 3. It reminds us that Jesus paid the ultimate price for you and for me. And His work is complete. Nothing can change it. He defeated the enemy and He defeated death. Jesus won.

Next in this chapter, the author spends a bit of time proving that Jesus is superior to the angels. This might seem like common sense to those of us who were born into a Christian culture. But the Jewish culture at that time viewed the angels as having the most power after God.

“The Jewish people thus held angels in high regard. One sect of Judaism, established at Qumran, taught that the archangel Michael’s authority was equal to or even surpassed the authority of the Messiah.” [2]

Angels do play key roles in God’s Kingdom and throughout the Bible. They played a role in several ways when it was time for Jesus’ birth, they are messengers and warriors, and they even protect us. Psalm 91:11 (AMP), “For He will command His angels in regard to you,
To protect and defend and guard you in all your ways [of obedience and service].”

“In Greek, the word angel actually means ‘a messenger, envoy or one who is sent by God.’ We may not see most of their activity, but the Lord has given his angels the job of ministering to us—of bringing us his message, grace and protection. We may never know how often an angel spared us from injury, guided us to safety or engineered some success. However, we can know that they did so as vessels of God’s perfect provision for us (Ps 103:19–21). Therefore, they do not receive the glory—he does.” [3]

Revelation 5:11-12 tells us how the angels worship Jesus: “Then I looked, and I heard around the throne and the living creatures and the elders the voice of many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice, ‘Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!’”

If you pulled out your own Bible to read along, your Bible should show in the footnotes that much of what we read in verses 5-12 are pulled from the Old Testament. These verses would be familiar to the recipients of this letter. And the reminders help bring home the point that not only is Jesus higher than the angels, but also that Jesus is The Son. Verse 4 says, “Having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.” In other words – there is no name greater than being called God’s Son.

And verse 6 points out that Jesus is the firstborn. “In Jewish families the firstborn son held the place of highest privilege and responsibility.” [4]

Jesus is the heir, the Son, and the Messiah. To those of us who know Him as our Lord and Savior, “Jesus” is the most beautiful name there is. As it says in Philippians 2:9-11: “Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

This chapter reminds us that Jesus is worthy of all the honor and glory. And it prompts us to evaluate our own lives to see if there is anything we hold higher than Him. We are also reminded of the incredible gift we have in our Savior. There is nothing greater than Him. When we surrender our lives to Him, we are in the safest place we could ever be.

Thank you for reading. God bless!

© 2018-2026 Bridget A. Thomas. All rights reserved.

[1] Martin, Charles. It Is Finished: A 40-Day Pilgrimage Back to the Cross. Nashville: W Publishing, 2024

[2] Jeremiah, David. Hebrews: The Supremacy of Christ. Jeremiah Bible Study Series. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 2021.

[3] Stanley, Charles F., gen. ed. The Charles F. Stanley Life Principles Bible. New International Version. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2017.

[4] Life Application Study Bible. Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale, 2007.

Unless noted otherwise, Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations taken from the Amplified Bible (AMP), Copyright © 2015 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved.