TRUE Bearing Bears Brightly Brightness Clean Cleansing Effulgence Exact Express Expression Glory God's Greatness Heaven Highest Image Impress Majesty Making Man's Nature Offering Outshining Power Powerful Provided Purged Purification Radiance Reflects Representation Sat Saying Seat Securing Sin Sins Stamp Subsistence Substance Supporting Sustaining Universe Upholding Upholds
1:3 Who being the {e} brightness of [his] glory, and the express image of his {f} person, and {g} upholding all things by the word of his power, {3} when he had by himself purged our sins, {h} sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;
(e) He in whom the glory and majesty of the Father shines, who is otherwise infinite, and cannot be under obligation.
(f) His Father's person.
(g) Sustains, defends and cherishes.
(3) The third part of the same proposition: The same Son executed the office of the High Priest in offering up himself, and is our only and most mighty Mediator in heaven.
(h) This shows that the savour of that his sacrifice is not only most acceptable to the Father, but also is everlasting, and furthermore how far this High Priest surpasses all the other high priests.
1:3 Who being the brightness of [his] glory. A manifestation of the glory of God.
And the express image of his person. In Christ we have a tangible, visible representation of the substance of God. We see God in him: He that hath seen me hath seen the Father (Joh 14:9).
And upholding all things by the word of his power. The Son hath all power, and his power was always manifested by his word. He spoke and it was done, whether it was still the winds or to raise the dead. So in creation, the word was spoken and it was done.
When he had by himself had made purged our sins. Made an atonement for them.
Sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high. Of God. The right hand was always the place of honor. See PNT Eph 1:20.
1:3 Who sat down - The third of these glorious predicates, with which three other particulars are interwoven, which are mentioned likewise, and in the same order, Col 1:15,17,20. Who, being - The glory which he received in his exaltation at the right hand of the Father no angel was capable of; but the Son alone, who likewise enjoyed it long before. The brightness of his glory - Glory is the nature of God revealed in its brightness. The express image - Or stamp. Whatever the Father is, is exhibited in the Son, as a seal in the stamp on wax. Of his person - Or substance. The word denotes the unchangeable perpetuity of divine life and power. And sustaining all things - Visible and invisible, in being. By the word of his power - That is, by his powerful word. When he had by himself - Without any Mosaic rites or ceremonies. Purged our sins - In order to which it was necessary he should for a time divest himself of his glory. In this chapter St. Paul describes his glory chiefly as he is the Son of God; afterwards, Heb 2:6, and c., the glory of the man Christ Jesus. He speaks, indeed, briefly of the former before his humiliation, but copiously after his exaltation; as from hence the glory he had from eternity began to be evidently seen. Both his purging our sins, and sitting on the right hand of God, are largely treated of in the seven following chapter s. Sat down - The priests stood while they ministered: sitting, therefore, denotes the consummation of his sacrifice. This word, sat down, contains the scope, the theme, and the sum, of the epistle.
1:1-3 God spake to his ancient people at sundry times, through successive generations, and in divers manners, as he thought proper; sometimes by personal directions, sometimes by dreams, sometimes by visions, sometimes by Divine influences on the minds of the prophets. The gospel revelation is excellent above the former; in that it is a revelation which God has made by his Son. In beholding the power, wisdom, and goodness of the Lord Jesus Christ, we behold the power, wisdom, and goodness of the Father, Joh 14:7; the fulness of the Godhead dwells, not typically, or in a figure, but really, in him. When, on the fall of man, the world was breaking to pieces under the wrath and curse of God, the Son of God, undertaking the work of redemption, sustained it by his almighty power and goodness. From the glory of the person and office of Christ, we proceed to the glory of his grace. The glory of His person and nature, gave to his sufferings such merit as was a full satisfaction to the honour of God, who suffered an infinite injury and affront by the sins of men. We never can be thankful enough that God has in so many ways, and with such increasing clearness, spoken to us fallen sinners concerning salvation. That he should by himself cleanse us from our sins is a wonder of love beyond our utmost powers of admiration, gratitude, and praise.
Brightly Brightness Exact Express Glory God's Hand High Image Majesty Power Purged Purification Radiance Reflects Right Sat Seat Securing Sin Sins Substance Universe Upholds Word
Brightly Brightness Exact Express Glory God's Hand High Image Majesty Power Purged Purification Radiance Reflects Right Sat Seat Securing Sin Sins Substance Universe Upholds Word
