“who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high” (Hebrews 1:3).
Hebrews 1:3 is a passage that helps unlock some important truths regarding the person and nature of Christ. We can begin with a look at three different translations of this verse in respect to Christ as the image of God. For instance, this portion of Scripture tells us that Jesus is…
- The exact expression of His nature (HCSB).
- The exact representation and perfect imprint of His [Father’s] essence (AMPC).
- The exact likeness of God’s being (GW).
The New Testament book of Colossians builds upon this idea when it tells us, “Christ is the visible image of the invisible God” (Colossians 1:15 NLT). In the original language of that verse, the word “image” refers to “that which resembles an object and represents it, as a copy represents the original.” (1) Another source adds…
“The words ‘express image’ are the translation of charakter. This word was used in classical Greek of an engraver, one who mints coins, a graving tool, a die, a stamp, a branding iron, a mark engraved, an impress, a stamp on coins and seals. Metaphorically it meant ‘a distinctive mark or token impressed on a person or thing, by which it is known from others, a characteristic, the character of.’ It was a Greek idiom for a person’s features. It was used of the type or character regarded as shared with others. It meant also an impress or an image.” (2)
With these things in mind, we can say that Jesus doesn’t simply resemble God; He is the exact counterpart or image of God. He is the perfect visible expression and representation of the invisible God, much like an image on a coin or a reflection in a mirror. This helps explain the following interaction between Jesus and the Apostle Philip…
“Philip said, ‘Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.’ Jesus answered: ‘Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father'” (John 14:8-9 NIV).
Finally, we should note the word “person” as used in relation to God here in Hebrews 1:3. Unlike those who view “god” as a “higher power” or an impersonal form of matter or energy, God is a Being who personally interacts with those whom He has created in His own image.
(1) “Image” International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, James Orr, M.A., D.D., General Editor
(2) Kenneth S. Wuest, Word Studies in the Greek New Testament [note on Hebrews 1:3] Copyright © 1942-55 by Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.