Hebrews 1:9

Righteousness. Gr. dikaiosune (see on Matt. 5:6). This has particular reference to Christ’s earthly life. This is the basis upon which He was anointed, as mentioned in the latter part of the verse.

To love righteousness is a higher virtue than merely to do righteousness. Many sincere Christians take an active part in various good enterprises more from a sense of duty than from any inherent love for the work. A missionary may go to a needy field with a high sense of duty and of the responsibility resting upon him, and accomplish a great work. It is not, however, until he enters into the love of the work, not until he truly begins to love the people among whom he labors, that he has reached the standard set by God. Work, with duty as a motive, is commendable. Work, with love as a motive, is a still higher experience.

Some accept the doctrines of the church and step out in obedience to God’s command because of the overpowering logic of the truth and its masterful presentation. However, unless they also receive “the love of the truth, that they might be saved” (2 Thess. 2:10), they may at last be found wanting.

Love is what prompted God to action. “God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son” (John 3:16). “Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it” (Eph. 5:25). Paul, who confesses, “I laboured more abundantly than they all” (1 Cor. 15:10), testifies, “the love of Christ constraineth us” (2 Cor. 5:14).

Iniquity. Gr. anomia, “lawlessness,” “violation of law.” Love is an essential Christian virtue. However, it is necessary to stress the quality of hate also. God commends Christ for His love of righteousness, and also for His hatred of sin.

It is possible to resist sin without actually hating it. Indulgence in a particular sin may not appeal to a man, and hence may be no temptation to him. Other sins may be pleasing to him, but knowing that they are sin and also that he may possibly be detected, he refrains from doing what he would really like to do. We do not know what credit will be given on the books of heaven to such a man. But we know that simply fear of having one’s reputation ruined if one is found out, is not a satisfactory motive for abstinence from sin. Only the man who has actually learned to hate sin is really secure. The man who abstains from sin, yet hankers after it and finds it alluring and interesting, is not on safe ground. He needs to learn to hate sin. The Ephesus church was commended for hating the deeds of the Nicolaitanes (Rev. 2:6). In God’s book are recorded not only our loves but our hates.

Anointed. The anointing here is with the oil of gladness, that is, with oil which is gladness. The anointing is symbolical of blessing and joy (see Deut. 28:40; Ps. 23:5; 92:10).

Fellows. In the original prophecy these were doubtless other celestial personages. When the passage is applied to Christ these “fellows” are understood by some to represent all other beings; by others, to represent Christ’s associates in the plan of salvation, that is, the saved, who are associate heirs with Him.