Understanding Hebrews 1:3: “The Radiance of the Glory of God”
In Hebrews 1:3, the author writes:
“He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of His nature, and He upholds the universe by the word of His power. After making purification for sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.”
This verse describes the supremacy of Jesus Christ, particularly emphasizing His divine nature and role in God’s redemptive plan.
Let’s explore what it means for Jesus to be “the radiance of the glory of God.”
The Glory of God
The “glory of God” refers to the manifestation of God’s infinite perfections—His holiness, majesty, power, and presence. In the Old Testament, God’s glory was often revealed in visible forms, such as the cloud on Mount Sinai (Exodus 24:15-18) or the presence in the tabernacle and temple (Exodus 40:34-35; 1 Kings 8:10-11).
God’s glory is so overwhelming that sinful humans cannot behold it in full. As God told Moses, “You cannot see my face, for man shall not see me and live” (Exodus 33:20). Thus, the glory of God is both awe-inspiring and inaccessible apart from His grace.
Radiance: The Outshining of God’s Glory
The term “radiance” (Greek: apaugasma) conveys the idea of an outshining or emanation. Just as the light of the sun makes its brightness and heat visible, so Jesus Christ makes the glory of God visible and knowable to us. This means that Christ is not merely a reflection of God’s glory, as though He were a lesser being. Instead, He is the very brightness or manifestation of God’s glory.
Through Christ, the invisible God is made visible. As John 1:14 says, “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen His glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” Similarly, Jesus Himself declared, “Whoever has seen me has seen the Father” (John 14:9).
The Relationship Between Radiance and Nature
The second part of Hebrews 1:3 explains, “the exact imprint of His nature.” This clarifies that Christ perfectly reveals who God is because He shares the same divine essence. The phrase “exact imprint” (Greek: charaktēr) suggests the precise representation, like the image stamped on a coin.
Thus, to see Jesus is to see the nature and character of God. He is fully divine, sharing in the Father’s attributes, yet distinct as the eternal Son.
Practical Implications
Revealer of God’s Glory: Jesus Christ is the ultimate revelation of who God is. While creation declares the glory of God (Psalm 19:1), and the prophets spoke of His ways (Hebrews 1:1), Christ Himself is the full and final manifestation of God’s glory (John 1:18).
Mediator of God’s Presence: Because Jesus radiates God’s glory, He bridges the gap between a holy God and sinful humanity. Through His incarnation, He made the inaccessible glory of God approachable, so that in Him, we can behold and enjoy God’s glory without fear.
Focus of Worship: Jesus, as the radiance of God’s glory, deserves the worship due to God alone. To worship Christ is to glorify the Father, for He and the Father are one (John 10:30).
Law and Gospel Perspective
From the Law: The glory of God demands perfect holiness, and our sin leaves us unable to stand in God’s presence. Without Christ, the radiance of God’s glory would consume us in judgment.
From the Gospel: Jesus, the radiance of God’s glory, came to purify us from sin (Hebrews 1:3). Through His sacrificial death and resurrection, He makes it possible for us to approach God in faith. In Him, we behold the glory of God not as a consuming fire but as a saving light.
Conclusion
When Hebrews 1:3 describes Jesus as “the radiance of the glory of God,” it means that Jesus is the perfect and full revelation of God’s character and majesty. He makes the invisible God known and accessible, fulfilling the longing of humanity to see and know their Creator. In Christ, the light of God’s glory shines into our darkness, bringing life, hope, and salvation to all who believe.
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