1:3 radiance of the glory. The Greek word rendered “radiance” describes divine wisdom personified in the Jewish intertestamental book Wisdom of Solomon (Wis. 7:25–28). But Hebrews speaks not merely of a personified divine attribute, but of a divine Person who entered history to purify sinners.

exact imprint of his nature. This verse expresses both the Son’s oneness with the Father and the distinction of divine persons. As One whose being corresponds exactly to the Father, the Son accurately reveals the Father. Christ is “the image of the invisible God” (Col. 1:15), through whom we see the Father (John 14:9; 2 Cor. 4:4–6).

upholds the universe by the word of his power. In the midst of history the Son’s command holds the created order in existence (Col. 1:17; 2 Pet. 3:4–7), preserving it from destruction until that day when His voice will remove all but the unshakable kingdom of God and its heirs (12:26–28).

purification for sins. A change of verb tense focuses attention on the Son’s atoning death in history, the priestly act that cleanses us to worship in God’s presence (9:14).

sat down at the right hand . . . on high. The Son’s enthronement at God’s “right hand” in heaven, promised in Ps. 110:1 (1:13), reveals His superiority in two ways. At the “right hand” of the Majesty Christ is ministering in the true, heavenly sanctuary and not an earthly copy (8:1, 2, 5). Secondly, He “sat down” because His sacrificial work (unlike that of Levitical priests) was finished once for all (10:11, 12).