“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 NASB

While Hebrews 1:3 serves as a compelling testimony to the divinity of Jesus Christ in orthodox Trinitarian Christian understanding, there are several cults and sub-Christian sects, most notably Jehovah’s Witnesses and certain Arian sects, that interpret this passage differently, challenging its traditional exegesis. Their argument hinges largely on a misinterpretation of Jesus as a created being who is distinct from God, rather than the Second Person of the Trinity. They interpret the word ‘radiance’ and the phrase ‘exact representation’ as proof of Christ’s derivativeness, viewing him as the highest creation but a creation nonetheless.

The phrase “sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven” is often taken as evidence of two distinct entities, with Jesus occupying a lesser, albeit honored, position relative to God. It is essential to understand these perspectives in order to appreciate the depth of biblical linguistics and the significant implications of how one interprets these key phrases according to authorial intent. In the face of these arguments, it is important to reaffirm the orthodox Christian view, backed by extensive scriptural and theological evidence, that Hebrews 1:3 does indeed proclaim Jesus as God.

Hebrews 1:3 is one of the most compelling verses in the New Testament that asserts the divine nature of Jesus Christ, proclaiming, “The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.”

It is the very essence of these words that unequivocally declares Jesus to be God. The text itself could not be clearer. The epistle’s author intentionally positions Jesus as more than just a prophet or a great moral teacher; instead, Jesus is presented as the divine Logos, the Word that embodies the full essence of God Himself. Let’s unpack this verse and understand its implications in the light of broader Biblical context and linguistics.

The Greek word for ‘radiance’ (apaugasma) suggests that Jesus is not merely reflecting God’s glory as a mirror would, but He is the shining forth or effulgence of God’s glory, the source itself. The writer of Hebrews is making the assertion that Jesus is to God what the rays are to the sun – an inseparable part of the divine essence, not a separate entity.

Further, Jesus is described as the “exact representation of His being.” The Greek word used here is ‘charaktēr,’ from which we get the English word ‘character.’ The ESV translates this word as “imprint.” It was a term used in the ancient world to refer to the imprint left by a signet ring or the image stamped on a coin. Jesus is thus God’s ‘charaktēr,’ the perfect, exact imprint of God’s nature. He is not a created being who resembles God but the complete manifestation of God Himself.

Jesus is also the One “sustaining all things by his powerful word.” This isn’t merely about Jesus’ involvement in the act of creation, but His continuous active role in upholding the universe. This power could only belong to an omnipotent God, again affirming Jesus’ divinity.

Finally, we find that after accomplishing the work of purification for sins, Jesus “sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.” In Jewish tradition, to sit at the right hand of the king was not only a place of honor but a recognition of co-regency, an affirmation of equal authority and power. This phrase echoes Psalm 110:1, where God invites the Davidic king to sit at His right hand, demonstrating Jesus’ divine status.

This interpretation of Hebrews 1:3 aligns perfectly with other Bible passages that proclaim the divinity of Christ. John 1:1 unequivocally declares, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God,” with John 1:14 making it clear that “the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” In Colossians 1:15-17, Paul writes that Christ is “the image of the invisible God… and in Him, all things hold together.” In Titus 2:13, Paul mentions “our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.”

The exploration of Hebrews 1:3 in the light of exegetical and linguistic analysis and its consistent echo in other biblical passages affirms the divine nature of Jesus. These words are not a random outburst of exuberant rhetoric but a clear, confident, and compelling testimony to the deity of Jesus. The author of Hebrews invites us to see Jesus not merely as a reflection or servant of God but as God Himself, the radiant glory, the exact imprint, and the all-sustaining power.