Hebrews 1:3

Brightness] RV 'effulgence.' A favourite word in the language of philosophical schools of. Alexandria: cp. Wis 7:25. It contains the double notion of derivation and manifestation.

Express image of his person] RV 'very image of His substance.' The word rendered 'image' is the Gk. word 'character,' meaning an impression such as a seal leaves on wax, an exact reproduction of the original. The word 'substance' implies nothing material, but is nearly equivalent to 'nature' or 'essence.' Christ is the exact reproduction of the Divine Essence. He is the counterpart or facsimile of the Father. Being.. upholding] Both participles seem most properly to refer to the preincarnate life of the Son. On the right hand] the place of dignity and authority: cp. Hebrews 8:1; Matthew 28:18. The 'sitting' indicates the completion of the earthly course of the redemptive work. The solemnity of the introductory paragraph is heightened by the use of the phrase' the Majesty on high.'