Hebrews 1:6-14 NIV

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Hebrews 1:14

Are they not all ministering spirits ,.... Servants to God, to Christ, and to his people, and therefore must be inferior to the Son of God. The phrase is Rabbinical; frequent mention is made in Jewish writings F1 T. Bab. Chagiga, fol. 12. 2. & 14. 1,2. & 16. 1. Taanith, fol. 11. 1. & Megilia, fol. 15. 2. & in Zohar passim. of מלאכי השרת , "the angels of ministry", or "the ministering angels"; this is their common appellation with the Jews; and the apostle writing to... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Hebrews 1:6

And again, when he bringeth in the firstbegotten - This is not a correct translation of the Greek, Ὁταν δε παλιν εισαγαγῃ τον πρωτοτοκον εις την οικουμενην· But when he bringeth again, or the second time, the first-born into the habitable world. This most manifestly refers to his resurrection, which might be properly considered a second incarnation; for as the human soul, as well as the fullness of the Godhead bodily, dwelt in the man, Christ Jesus on and during his incarnation, so when... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Hebrews 1:7

Who maketh his angels spirits - They are so far from being superior to Christ, that they are not called God's sons in any peculiar sense, but his servants, as tempests and lightnings are. In many respects they may have been made inferior even to man as he came out of the hands of his Maker, for he was made in the image and likeness of God; but of the angels, even the highest order of them, this is never spoken. It is very likely that the apostle refers here to the opinions of the Jews... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Hebrews 1:8

Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever - If this be said of the Son of God, i.e. Jesus Christ, then Jesus Christ must be God; and indeed the design of the apostle is to prove this. The words here quoted are taken from Psalm 45:6 , Psalm 45:7 , which the ancient Chaldee paraphrast, and the most intelligent rabbins, refer to the Messiah. On the third verse of this Psalm, Thou art fairer than the children of men, the Targum says: "Thy beauty, משיחא מלכא malca Meshicha , O King Messiah,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Hebrews 1:9

Thou hast loved righteousness - This is the characteristic of a just governor: he abhors and suppresses iniquity; he countenances and supports righteousness and truth. Therefore God, even thy God - The original, δια τουτο εχρισε σε ὁ Θεος, ὁ Θεος σου , may be thus translated: Therefore, O God, thy God hath anointed thee. The form of speech is nearly the same with that in the preceding verse; but the sense is sufficiently clear if we read, Therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Hebrews 1:10

And, Thou, Lord - This is an address to the Son as the Creator, see Hebrews 1:2 ; for this is implied in laying the foundation of the earth. The heavens, which are the work of his hands, point out his infinite wisdom and skill. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Hebrews 1:11

They shall perish - Permanently fixed as they seem to be, a time shall come when they shall be dissolved, and afterward new heavens and a new earth be formed, in which righteousness alone shall dwell. See 2 Peter 3:10-13 . Shall wax old as doth a garment - As a garment by long using becomes unfit to be longer used, so shall all visible things; they shall wear old, and wear out; and hence the necessity of their being renewed. It is remarkable that our word world is a contraction of wear... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Hebrews 1:12

And they shall be changed - Not destroyed ultimately, or annihilated. They shall be changed and renewed. But thou art the same - These words can be said of no being but God; all others are changeable or perishable, because temporal; only that which is eternal can continue essentially, and, speaking after the manner of men, formally the same. Thy years shall not fail - There is in the Divine duration no circle to be run, no space to be measured, no time to be reckoned. All is... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Hebrews 1:13

But to which of the angels - We have already seen, from the opinions and concessions of the Jews, that, if Jesus Christ could be proved to be greater than the angels, it would necessarily follow that he was God: and this the apostle does most amply prove by these various quotations from their own Scriptures; for he shows that while he is the supreme and absolute Sovereign, they are no more than his messengers and servants, and servants even to his servants, i.e. to mankind. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Hebrews 1:14

Are they not all ministering spirits - That is, They are all ministering spirits; for the Hebrews often express the strongest affirmative by an interrogation. All the angels, even those of the highest order, are employed by their Creator to serve those who believe in Christ Jesus. What these services are, and how performed, it would be impossible to state. Much has been written on the subject, partly founded on Scripture, and partly on conjecture. They are, no doubt, constantly employed in... read more

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Hebrews 1:14

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Hebrews 1:6

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Hebrews 1:7

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Hebrews 1:8

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Hebrews 1:9

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Hebrews 1:10

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Hebrews 1:11

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Hebrews 1:12

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Hebrews 1:13

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Hebrews 1:14

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