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NOTE.--As an appendix we draw attention to a word which differs from hypostasis, by the
insertion of kata. It is the name of a figure of speech, Hypocarastasis, or implication. It is made
up of the words hupo, under, kata, down, stasis, a stationing, hence means, a putting down
underneath. (See Figures of Speech, Dr. E. W. Bullinger). "Beware of the leaven of the
Pharisees" is such a figure. It is not stated that the doctrine of the Pharisees was like leaven, it is
implied. The figure suggests something hidden, something under the surface, and is very parallel
in meaning to the word hypostasis. This note may not mean much to some readers, but those who
have a knowledge of figures of speech may find the thought suggestive.
#8. The Word of His Power (Heb. 1: 3).
pp. 123 - 127
God has spoken to us "in Son". We reiterate this unique expression that the
marvellous truth contained therein may enable us to realize the glory of the One we call
Savoiur and Lord. He is the appointed heir of all things, by Him the ages were made, He
is the effulgence of the glory of God; He, the express image of His substance.
The glories of the Son are not yet exhausted, for the passage proceeds, "and upholding
all things by the word of His power". While the Greek word phero occurs some sixty
times in the N.T., it is only translated "uphold" once. It is rendered "bring" over thirty
times, but the primary meaning of the word ("to bear") seems to be the one intended in
the passage before us. Outside the epistle to the Hebrews the word occurs but twice in
Paul's epistles:--
"Endured with much longsuffering" (Rom. 9: 22).
"Bring the cloak which I left at Troas" (II Tim. 4: 13).
The word is used five times in Hebrews:--
"Upholding all things" (1: 3).
"Let us go on unto perfection" (6: 1).
"There must. . . . be (brought in, margin) the death of the testator" (9: 16).
"They could not endure that which was commanded" (12: 20).
"Bearing His reproach" (13: 13).
It will be seen that the word is one which has many usages. The primary idea of
bearing as a burden, supporting and sustaining, seems to be the meaning in Heb. 1:
Moses, when speaking of the responsibility he felt, in Num. 11: 11, 12 says, "Thou
layest the burden of all this people upon me", and that God had said, "carry them in thy
bosom". In Hebrews we see "all things" (not merely the burden of one people) upheld by
the word of Christ.
When considering the words, "the express image of His substance", we note a parallel
in Col. 1: 15. We must turn to that passage again.