A commentary on the whole Epistle to the Hebrews. By M. John Calvin. Translated…A commentarie on the vvhole Epistle to the Hebrevves. By M. Iohn Caluin. Translated…

Vers. 3. Who being the brightness of the glory, and the engraved form of his person, and bearing up all things by his mighty word, hath by himself purged our sins, and sitteth at the right hand of the majesty in the highest places.

Vers. 3. Who being the brightnes of the glorie, and the ingraued forme of his person, and bearing vp al things by his mightie word, hath by himselfe purged our sinnes, and sitteth at the right hand of the maiestie in the highest places.

These things are spoken partly of the divine essence of Christ, and partly of his humane nature. For in that he is called the brightness of the glory, and the engraved form of his substance: it is proper to his divinity: the words following likewise appertain to his humanity. Yet the whole verse contains notwithstanding an high commendation of the dignity and excellency of Christ. Moreover, look by what reason he is called the brightness of the glory; by the same reason he is called the engraven form of his person. Both which manners of speech are borrowed from the creatures. For nothing can be said of things so high and excellent, unless we borrow some similitudes from them. It is needless therefore for us to stand to dispute over subtly how the Son, who is of one essence with the Father, is called the brightness of his glory. We must confess that that ⟨p. 12⟩which is transferred from the creatures to the majesty of God, is something improper: yet is it no absurdity that these things visible to our senses should be applied unto God, to the end we might be taught thereby what we are to seek in Christ, and what profit he brings unto us. For we must know, that this place leads us not to the seeking out of vain speculations; but to learn therein a true and sure doctrine of faith. Therefore we are to apply these titles of Christ to our profit: for it is for our sakes that they are thus attributed unto him. Do we hear then that the Son is called the brightness of the glory of his Father? Let us thus think then in our selves: the glory of the Father is to us invisible, till such time as it shine forth unto us in Christ. Is he called the lively image of his Fathers substance? It is to the end we might learn, that the majesty of the Father is hidden from us, till such time as he manifests the same unto us in this engraved form of his image. They which think not of this relation, and that these things are attributed unto Christ as in respect of us, do dispute over subtly, and to no purpose: because they understand not the meaning of the holy Apostle. For he doth not here take upon him to show what likeness of the Father the Son hath within himself: but as I have said, his meaning is to edify our faith with fruit and profit: to the end we might learn that God is no otherwise manifested unto us, but in Christ.