The theme of the opening section of Hebrews lies upon the surface; we do not pause

long over the wondrous fact that God has indeed spoken to men, neither are we given a

lengthy disquisition upon the sundry times and the divers manners in which He spake in

times past unto the fathers by the prophets; the fact of importance, around which the

epistle is written, is that God hath in these last days spoken unto us by His SON. This is

seen to be the case by the way in which the inspired apostle elaborated this theme; the

remaining verses of the first chapter are devoted to describing the excellent glory of this

Son, in whom God spake.

Chapter 2: resumes the original theme, contrasting, this time, the word spoken by

angels with the word spoken by the Lord. This will be made quite clear by throwing the

two chapters into structural form.

Before proceeding to open up the teaching of the passage with regard to the infinite

superiority of the Son, and the contrast drawn between Him and prophets and angels, the

reader may desire an explanation regarding the opening words of the chapter. We

therefore give a few notes on these before passing to the theme of the passage.

Polumerõs, "In many parts".--The opening word of the epistle refutes the long

standing obstinate refusal of the gospel by the Jew on the grounds of the unchanging

character of the law of Moses. The apostle is about to sweep aside the covenant of Sinai

and speak of is as faulty (8: 7), a better covenant being instituted in its place; the law,

so prized by the Hebrews, he shows made nothing perfect (7: 19), the sacred ordination

of Israel's priests is after all "the law of a carnal commandment" (7: 1), the tabernacle

was but a "figure", and the sacrifices but "shadows", the true holiest of all was not

contained in it, neither did the blood of bulls and goats take away sin (9:, 10:). God had

made known His mind and will, and had revealed His purposes in Christ in a series of

"parts", no one prophet had received all the truth, little by little the prophets unfolded the

great revelation, until the day came for the final and complete revelation to be made by

the Son.

Polutropõs, "In many ways".--Not only did God speak in many parts, but His

method of revelation was equally varied. Prophets received the word by vision, or by

dream, by angel, by voice, by inspiration; truth was revealed also in variety of ways,

types, ceremonies, prophecies, laws, commandments, parables; all contributed their