Hebrews 1:3 And The Deity Of Christ

By Jesse Albrecht -
      "And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power. When He had made purification of sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high." (Hebrews 1:3)

        This text is a very strong affirmation of the deity of Christ and is packed with meaning. The phrase "exact representation" can be illustrated using an ideal cut diamond as an analogy. The glory of Christ transcends the effulgence of even the most precious gems.

        God the Son possesses the same divine nature as God the Father. He has the same divine glory as God the Father. He is the wisdom of God. He is wisdom incarnate (1 Corinthians 1:24; 30; Colossians 2:3).

        The English Standard Version renders "exact representation" as "the exact imprint." The God's Word Translation renders "exact representation" as "expresses the very character of God." No man or angel can rightfully have this kind of description applied to themselves.

        How can Hebrews 1:3 not be a supporting text for the deity of Christ when we know from the Old Testament that God will not give His glory to another (Psalm 83:18; Isaiah 42:8; 48:11)?

        Some commentators believe that the author of Hebrews drew from the Wisdom of Solomon in asserting the divinity of Christ:

        "She is a breath of God's power—a pure and radiant stream of glory from the Almighty. Nothing that is defiled can ever steal its way into Wisdom. She is a reflection of eternal light, a perfect mirror of God's activity and goodness. " (Wisdom 7:25-26) 

        Wisdom is personified in the above excerpt. Wisdom is a prominent exhibition of the divine glory of God. This wisdom and glory shines forth in the Person of Jesus Christ.

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