In this article, I put forward a possible chiastic structural analysis for the opening four verses of Hebrews. My reason for carrying out this analysis was mainly to see whether it might be possible to translate the word “His” in the expression in v. 3b, “and upholding all things by the word of His power”, as referring to God rather than to the Son. Although most bible translations do not in general explicitly identify the “His” with the Son rather than with God (i.e. with God the Father), the verse in translation reads more naturally with that interpretation, and this view seems to be taken by almost all commentators. It is therefore very much against the traditional understanding that the present article is tentatively suggesting that the “powerful word” in this verse might plausibly be that of the Father rather than that of the Son.
Hebrews 1:3b, using the traditional translation and interpretation, is widely used to argue against the various kenotic theories of the Incarnation. These theories see the Son, whilst still remaining the divine Second Person of the Trinity, as divesting Himself of some of His divine attributes – such as Omnipotence – at the Incarnation and during His earthly ministry. If the translation proposed in this article is at all plausible, then Heb. 1:3 would not be able to be used quite so readily in this very direct, and seemingly unchallengeable way, to refute automatically all kenotic theories.
The article can be accessed by clicking on the link below:
I welcome all comments and corrections.
Categories: Chiastic and Other Structures, Hebrews, Language and Logic, New Testament Exegesis
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