Hebrews 1:8

Unto the Son. In contrast with “of the angels” (v. 7).

Thy throne, O God. A citation from Ps. 45:6, 7 (see comment there). Here the Father addresses the Son reverently, calling Him God. This may be considered the climax in the argument on the position and dignity of Christ. There can be no higher testimony to the deity of Christ than this apostrophe of the Father to the Son. In the most solemn manner Christ’s Godhood is affirmed, and this by the Father Himself.

Man’s salvation and the whole plan of redemption are based on the deity of Christ. If Christ is not God in the highest sense and in His own right, our faith is in vain and salvation becomes impossible.

Many of the Jews had seen Jesus in the flesh. It was probably harder for them than for later generations to believe in Christ as divine. Did they not know His supposed father and His mother, and were not some of the family still living? How could this man be God? This stumbling block the author sought to remove. Hence he summons the testimony of Scripture to confirm his position. It would be of little use to present the vital subjects with which Hebrews deals, until this one point was settled and fully accepted.

As we consider the history of the church since the days of the apostles, we see the need of emphasis on the deity of Christ. Many there are today who revere Christ and in their own way esteem Him highly, who nevertheless refuse to give Him the place that is rightly His. They fail to understand that the deity of Christ is the central fact in the plan of redemption, and that there is “none other name under heaven given among men,” whereby we may be saved (Acts 4:12).

For ever and ever. Compare on Rev. 11:15; 14:11.

Righteousness. Gr. euthutes, “rectitude,” “uprightness.” The reference to the throne and the scepter is worthy of note. It indicates actual, not merely potential, possession of power. It presents the kingdom not as future, but as present and in active operation. The throne and the kingdom are everlasting; and the scepter — symbol of actual exercise of authority — is characterized by uprightness.