Commentary Hebrews 1

1. Hebrews begins with a series of arguments demonstrating Jesus’ superiority over the angels. It’s worth taking a moment to appreciate the magnitude of this. For first-century Jews, angels were known to rescue God’s people (Dan 3:19-28, 6:22); support and nurture them (Ps 91:11-12; 1 Kings 19:5-8); guide and inform them (Gen 28:12, 31:11); as well as acting as agents of destruction and punishment (Gen 19:13; 2 Sam 24:16). Those who encountered angels were often overwhelmed by awe (e.g. Dan 10:11-12).

a. Locate where in chapter 1 it is asserted that Jesus is: priest, king, prophet, and the eternal agent of creation.

b. By contrast, what does Heb 1 say about angels? What is their role? (See esp. v. 14.)

2. Angels played key roles in the life of Jesus and the early Church: They comforted Jesus in the garden and the wilderness; they released Peter and the apostles from prison (Acts 5:19); instructed believers (Acts 8:26) and Gentiles (Acts 10:3); meted swift punishment to maintain the purity of the Church (12:23); and encouraged believers (Acts 27:23-25). Their activity is not confined to the early Church: In our own century, Marie Monsen, a Norwegian missionary serving in North China, testified to the intervention of angels at times when Christians were in danger. On one occasion, when looting soldiers surrounded her mission compound, those who had taken refuge within its flimsy walls were astonished to find that they were left in peace. A few days later the marauders explained that they were ready to enter when they noticed tall soldiers with shining faces on a high roof in the compound. An unbeliever asked: ‘Who were standing out on the east veranda all last night... there were many people there each time I opened the door to see if there was a fire anywhere near us.’ Marie Monsen said, ‘The heathen saw them, it was a testimony to them, but they were invisible to us.’1 Tales of angels are certainly rare. Have you heard any modern tales of angels you find credible? The idea that God may use his angels to protect his church in Rochester, NY, in the twenty-first century is appealing and comforting, but is there any anecdotal or biblical reason to think it might actually be true?

3. Chapter 1 is in service of what the Jews called qal wa homer, a argument from lesser to greater. What,

in chapter 2, follows the “therefore”? What are the lesser and greater here? Also, what do the listeners risk? (Note: In the Judaism of the day angels were connected with the Law of Moses as those who delivered it; Acts 7:53; Gal 3:19, so establishing Jesus’ superiority over angels further has implications relating to the position of the Law.)