The Supremacy of God's Son

Heb. 1:1 God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,

Prologue (Heb. 1:1-4)

In a majestically constructed opening paragraph, the writer introduced his readers at once to the surpassing greatness of the Lord Jesus Christ. The Son, he declared, is the par excellence vehicle for divine revelation. In asserting this, he implicitly contrasted Him with the prophets of old and explicitly contrasted Him with the angels.

The central assertion of the Prologue is made here. Though God has variously (polymerōs kai polytropōs, lit., “by various means and in various ways”) revealed Himself in the past, Old Testament prophetic revelation has now received its end-times climax through God’s Son. However highly the readership regarded that former revelation, the writer implied they must now listen most closely to the Son.

This is God the Father, the head of Christ and the Holy Spirit (1Cor. 8:6; 11:3; Mat. 28:19; 2Cor. 13:14; Eph. 4:4-6; 1Jn. 5:7).

God,...

θεός

theos

theh'-os

Of uncertain affinity; a deity, especially (with the) the supreme Divinity; figuratively a magistrate; by Hebraism very: - X exceeding, God, god [-ly, -ward]

In many parts in many ways (Isa. 28:10). From all these portions we get a perfect harmony, as in musical sounds made up of different parts. There is only one plan of God for man. All the prophets gave perfect and harmonious testimony that Jesus Christ was the Son of God and Savior of the world (Acts 10:43).

who at sundry times...

πολυμέρως

polumerōs

pol-oo-mer'-oce

Adverb from a compound of much and a division, or share; in many portions, that is, variously as to time and agency (piecemeal): - at sundry times.

and...

καί

kai

kahee

Apparently a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so, then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words: - and, also, both, but, even, for, if, indeed, likewise, moreover, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yea, yet.

in divers manners...

πολυτρόπως

polutropōs

pol-oot-rop'-oce

Adverb from a compound of much and a turn; in many ways, that is, variously as to method or form: - in divers manners.

spake...

λαλέω

laleō

lal-eh'-o

A prolonged form of an otherwise obsolete verb; to talk, that is, utter words: - preach, say, speak (after), talk, tell, utter.

in time past...

πάλαι

palai

pal'-ahee

Probably another form for anew (through the idea of retro-cession); (adverbially) formerly, or (relatively) sometime since; (elliptically as adjective) ancient: - any while, a great while ago, (of) old, in time past.

unto the...

ὁ, ἡ, τό

ho hē to

ho, hay, to

The masculine, feminine (second) and neuter (third) forms, in all their inflections; the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom): - the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.

fathers...

πατήρ

patēr

pat-ayr'

Apparently a primary word; a “father” (literally or figuratively, near or more remote): - father, parent.

The Holy Spirit indwelt the prophets and spoke through them in the same manner He dwells in men today (see, Luke 22:3). That men in Old Testament days had the Holy Spirit is clear.

by...

ἐν

en

en

A primary preposition denoting (fixed) position (in place, time or state), and (by implication) instrumentality (medially or constructively), that is, a relation of rest (intermediate between to or into and from out); “in”, at, (up-) on, by, etc.: - about, after, against, + almost, X altogether, among, X as, at, before, between, (here-) by (+ all means), for (. . . sake of), + give self wholly to, (here-) in (-to, -wardly), X mightily, (because) of, (up-) on, [open-] ly, X outwardly, one, X quickly, X shortly, [speedi-] ly, X that, X there (-in, -on), through (-out), (un-) to(-ward), under, when, where (-with), while, with (-in). Often used in compounds, with substantially the same import; rarely with verbs of motion, and then not to indicate direction, except (elliptically) by a separate (and different) prep.

the... see unto the above.

prophets,...

προφήτης

prophētēs

prof-ay'-tace

From a compound of fore, that is and to show or make know; a fore-teller (“prophet”); by analogy an inspired speaker; by extension a poet: - prophet.

Christ Better than Prophets

1. Creator of prophets (Heb. 1:1-3)

2. Lord and Master of prophets (Heb. 1:1-2; Mat. 22:41-46; 1Pet. 1:10-13)

3. Only begotten Son of God (Heb. 1:1-3; John 1:18; 3:16-20)

4. God manifest in flesh (John 1:14)

5. Sinless (1Pet. 2:21-22)

6. Had greater anointing (John 3:34)

7. Fulfillment of their writings (Luke 24:25, 24:44-45; 1Pet. 1:10-13)

8. Heir of all things (Heb. 1:2)

9. Planner of the ages (Heb. 1:2)

10. Brightness of God’s glory (Heb. 1:3)

11. Express image of God’s person (Heb. 1:3; Php. 2:5-11)

12. Upholder of all things (Heb. 1:3)

13. God’s perfect sacrifice (Heb. 1:3, 1:9; 9:11-28; 10:1-18)

14. Savior of prophets (Heb. 1:3; 7:25; 1Pet. 1:10-13)

15. Exalted higher than prophets (Heb. 1:3; 1Pet. 3:22)