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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Hebrews 1:1-3

Here the apostle begins with a general declaration of the excellency of the gospel dispensation above that of the law, which he demonstrates from the different way and manner of God's communicating himself and his mind and will to men in the one and in the other: both these dispensations were of God, and both of them very good, but there is a great difference in the way of their coming from God. Observe, I. The way wherein God communicated himself and his will to men under the Old Testament.... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Hebrews 1:1-3

1:1-3 It was in many parts and in many ways that God spoke to our fathers in the prophets in time gone past; but in the end of these days he has spoken to us in One who is a Son, a Son whom he destined to enter into possession of all things, a Son by whose agency he made the universe. He was the very effulgence of God's glory; he was the exact expression of God's very essence. He bore everything onwards by the word of his power; and after he had made purification for the sins of men, he took... read more

John Gill

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

God, who at sundry times and in divers manners ,.... The apostle begins the epistle with an account of the revelation God has made of his mind and will in former times: the author of this revelation is God, not essentially, but personally considered, even God the Father, as distinguished from his Son in the next verse; for the revelation under the Old Testament is divine, as well as that under the New; in this they both agree, in whatsoever else they differ: and this revelation was made at... read more

Adam Clarke

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

God, who at sundry times and in divers manners - We can scarcely conceive any thing more dignified than the opening of this epistle; the sentiments are exceedingly elevated, and the language, harmony itself! The infinite God is at once produced to view, not in any of those attributes which are essential to the Divine nature, but in the manifestations of his love to the world, by giving a revelation of his will relative to the salvation of mankind, and thus preparing the way, through a long... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Hebrews 1:1

Verse 1 God formerly, etc. This beginning is for the purpose of commending the doctrine taught by Christ; for it shows that we ought not only reverently to receive it, but also to be satisfied with it alone. That we may understand this more clearly, we must observe the contrast between each of the clauses. First, the Son of God is set in opposition to the prophets; then we to the fathers; and, thirdly, the various and manifold modes of speaking which God had adopted as to the fathers, to the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Hebrews 1:1

Retaining the order of the words in the original, we may translate, In many portions, and in many modes of old God having spoken to the fathers in the prophets . πολυμερῶς καὶ πολυτρόπως —not a mere alliterative redundancy, denoting variously : — the writer's usual choice use of words forbids this supposition. Nor is the μερῶς of the first adverb to be taken (as in the A.V) to denote portions of time : —this is not the proper meaning of the compound. Nor (for the same... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Hebrews 1:1

God speaking to men. I. THE GENERAL TRUTH THAT GOD SPEAKS TO MEN . The possibility is assumed of such a communication from God to men. Nothing less can be meant than this—that even as one man can clearly make known the thoughts and wishes that are in him to another, so God can communicate his thoughts and wishes to a being with a nature like man. It is quite allowable to say that a voice of God speaks forth from the things he has made, just as a voice speaks forth from... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Hebrews 1:1-2

The two revelations In this sublime exordium, which strikes the keynote of his doctrinal teaching, the writer takes for granted: 1. The inspiration of the Scriptures. " God hath spoken." How awful this truth, yet how blessed! With what a clear ringing note of certainty the author assumes it! The Scriptures put forth no theory of inspiration, but they everywhere claim to declare the mind and will of God. 2. The interdependence of the two revelations. It is the same God who has... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Hebrews 1:1-2

God's revelation of redemptive truth to man "God, who at sundry times and in divers manners," etc. God has spoken to man. A very significant fact. It suggests the Divine interest in his human creatures. It teaches that man is capable of receiving communications from the infinite Mind. tie can understand, appreciate, and appropriate to his unspeakable advantage the thoughts of God concerning him. He is under obligations to do so. Man's attitude towards the communications of God should be... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Hebrews 1:1-2

The two Testaments a progressive revelation of God. These verses form the keynote of the Epistle. The Hebrew Christians were being cast out from Jewish worship and fellowship. To be excluded from the temple, the center of national unity, the home of the people to whom pertained "the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the Law, and the service of God, and the promises, and the fathers," was to be reduced to the level of the uncovenanted Gentiles. The writer... read more

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