Christ is the image and exact representation of God.
He is the radiance of His glory. The term radiance (apaúgasma) means to shine forth and is only used in Hebrews 1:3. Christ is the shining forth of God’s glory. The verb is (hṓn) comes from verb eimí — to be or to exist. This verb is a present tense participle indicating that Christ is existing as the shining forth or physical manifestation of God’s glory. There has never been a time when Jesus was not the brightness of God’s glory.
The phrase exact representation, occurring only in Hebrews 1:3, translates the Greek term charaktḗr. It denotes something that is an exact copy or exact likeness. The term originated from the engraving die used in making coins. The die would be pressed against the metal and when removed, would leave behind an exact copy of the image.
Nature (hupóstasis) refers to the substance or essence of someone or something. Jesus is the exact copy of God’s nature or essence.
Whatever God the Father is, the Son is the exact copy of Him. The Father is holy. Hence the Son is holy. The Father is righteous; ergo the Son is righteous. Everything true of the Father is true of the Son.
- And He is the radiance (apaúgasma) of His glory and the exact representation (charaktḗr) of His nature (hupóstasis), 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
He is the radiance of His glory. The term radiance (apaúgasma) means to shine forth and is only used in Hebrews 1:3. Christ is the shining forth of God’s glory. The verb is (hṓn) comes from verb eimí — to be or to exist. This verb is a present tense participle indicating that Christ is existing as the shining forth or physical manifestation of God’s glory. There has never been a time when Jesus was not the brightness of God’s glory.
The phrase exact representation, occurring only in Hebrews 1:3, translates the Greek term charaktḗr. It denotes something that is an exact copy or exact likeness. The term originated from the engraving die used in making coins. The die would be pressed against the metal and when removed, would leave behind an exact copy of the image.
Nature (hupóstasis) refers to the substance or essence of someone or something. Jesus is the exact copy of God’s nature or essence.
- He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. - Colossians 1:15
Whatever God the Father is, the Son is the exact copy of Him. The Father is holy. Hence the Son is holy. The Father is righteous; ergo the Son is righteous. Everything true of the Father is true of the Son.
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