Still contrasting the Son with the angels, this verse talks about Christ’s throne lasting forever and God anointing Christ above everything.
A clear contrast is seen between verses 6-7 and these verses; angels serve God, but Christ is on the throne. These verses are quoted from the Old Testament (Psalm 45:6-7) and refer to the triumph of Jesus as King; Christ’s throne and rule will be established forever and ever. The text clearly says of the Son He Says, Your throne, O God, in one of the clearest statements of the Son being called God, proof of Christ’s divinity and eternal status as the second person of the Trinity. Christ will rule over His kingdom with righteousness.
You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness refers to Christ’s obedience on earth which made Him an inheritor of all. Because of Christ’s obedience, He is anointed with the oil of gladness above His companions. As we will see throughout Hebrews, Christ’s companions are those who are obedient and they will be inheritors with Him, but Jesus is above all. Christ obtained His inheritance, rule, and joy due to His life of righteousness of obedience; the same will be true of His companions. There is no joy greater than pleasing our Creator. The Greek word for “companions” is “metochous,” from the root word “metochos.” “Metochos” is an important word in Hebrews, used throughout (Hebrews 3:1, 3:14, 6:4). It means to be a participator, a sharer, or a business partner; the companions of Christ are those who share in His reward because of faithful obedience to Him in this life.
If we live a life of obedience, we will be rewarded with the unimaginable glory of sharing in Christ’s inheritance. Unless we live in faithful obedience, growth, and maturity, we will not be rewarded as sons, we will just remain children. Growing in faithful obedience is a major theme in Hebrews, Paul admonishes his believing Jewish friends later on that they have stopped growing in obedience and are now hard of hearing. He admonishes them to return to the path that will lead to inheritance, which requires living a sacrificial life of obedience. It is essential to recognize that the distinction between “child” and “son” lies in the child’s willingness to grow in faithfulness and obedience. When one trusts Christ, he is “born again” into the family of God as a child. He is given the gift of birth (and that gift is irreversible). Although becoming a child is an irrevocable gift, children are not automatically given the reward of “Sonship” just because they are part of the family. Children must mature and grow up into faithful and obedient children before receiving the reward of being called a “son,” just as Christ was given the title of son after His faithfulness on earth.
Biblical Text
8 But of the Son He says,
“Your throne, O God, is forever and ever,
And the righteous scepter is the scepter of His kingdom.
9 “You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness;
Therefore God, Your God, has anointed You
With the oil of gladness above Your companions.”
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