What does Hebrews 1:12 mean?

And as a vesture shalt thou fold them up, and they shall be changed: but thou art the same, and thy years shall not fail. Hebrews 1:12

Explanation

Hebrews 1:12 is a verse that conveys the juxtaposition of the permanence of God and the transitory nature of creation. The metaphor of clothing that is changed and folded up implies that the heavens and the earth, which are part of creation, are not permanent; they will be altered or replaced. Within the context of the surrounding verses, this passage is part of a larger argument that Christ (who is seamless with God) is superior to the angels because He is eternal and unchangeable—similar attributes are ascribed to God in the Old Testament. The idea of God’s years not failing indicates that unlike creation, God’s existence and attributes are not subject to time; He remains the same throughout eternity.

Historical Context

The Book of Hebrews was written to a community of Jewish Christians during a time when they were experiencing hardships, which likely included persecution. The exact date of the composition is debated, but it traditionally is placed around 64–70 A.D. This was a time of transition and turmoil for the early Christian community, particularly in the years before the destruction of the second Temple in Jerusalem in 70 A.D. The author of Hebrews is making a case for the unshakeable foundations of the Christian faith by tying it back to their Jewish roots and the consistent nature of God as proclaimed in the Old Testament.

Theological Insights

From a Trinitarian Christian perspective, this verse underlines the deity of Jesus Christ, showcasing His divine attributes by comparing Him to the eternal nature of God. This idea finds common ground in the Nicene Creed where Christ is described as “eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light.”

In contrast, a Unitarian view might emphasize the symbolic nature of Christ representing God’s consistency and faithfulness, without necessarily affirming His deity.

Additionally, within a broader theological discourse, the verse has implications on the doctrine of creation ex nihilo (out of nothing), since it points to the created order being changeable and having a definite beginning, unlike God.

Practical Applications

For believers, Hebrews 1:12 can serve as a reminder of the steadfastness of God amidst an ever-changing world. It assures that while the material world is temporary and subject to change, faith in God provides a foundation that is unchanging and eternal. This can be applied as a source of comfort and stability in times of uncertainty and a call to focus on spiritual growth over material acquisitions.

Cross-References

• Psalm 102:25-27: “Of old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth: and the heavens are the work of thy hands.”
• Malachi 3:6: “For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.”
• James 1:17: “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.”

Language Study

The Greek words “περιβολαῖον” (peribolaion) meaning “vesture” or “cloak” and “ἑλίξεις” (helixeis) meaning “shalt thou fold up” paint the picture of changing garments, symbolizing the heavens akin to clothing that is removed or altered. The Greek phrase “σὺ δὲ ὁ αὐτὸς εἶ” (sy de ho autos ei) translates as “but thou art the same,” emphasizing the unchangeable nature of God, a core attribute of His divine character.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Some ancient mythologies typify heavens and earth as deities that can change or even die, such as in Greek or Norse myths. Hebrews 1:12 opposes these views, stating that while the physical universe changes, the monotheistic God of Christianity remains the same.

Scientific Perspectives

From a scientific point of view, the idea that the universe and earth are not permanent matches well with contemporary cosmological theories, such as the heat death of the universe and the concept of entropy. Although the scientific understanding is based on physical laws without reference to a deity, the verse’s allegorical message of change aligns with what is now understood about the life cycle of celestial bodies and the universe as a whole.

Commentaries

Biblical scholars and theologians often see Hebrews 1:12 in light of the superiority of Christ’s priesthood in comparison to angels and other mediators. Matthew Henry’s commentary, for example, stresses the uniqueness of Christ as immutable, whereas John Calvin’s writings would focus on the supremacy of Christ as a core aspect of God’s revelation to humanity. These commentaries typically agree that the passage serves to comfort and assure believers of the unchanging nature of Christ as the revelation of the eternal God.