Jesus Appointed Heir Of All Things Theologically
Jesus Appointed Heir of All Things: Theological Significance
The concept of Jesus being appointed heir of all things is rooted in the biblical text, specifically in Hebrews 1:2, which states that God has "appointed [Jesus] heir of all things" [9]. This designation is closely tied to Jesus' role as the mediator between God and humanity, as described in the Westminster Confession of Faith: "It pleased God... to choose and ordain the Lord Jesus... to be the Mediator between God and man, the Prophet, Priest, and King, the Head and Savior of his church, the Heir of all things, and Judge of the world" [4].
The biblical basis for Jesus' heirship is further explored in Ephesians 1:22, which quotes Psalm 8:6, stating that God "hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church" [1, 7]. This passage highlights Jesus' authority and dominion over all creation. The concept is also linked to Jesus' role as the "firstborn over all creation" (Colossians 1:15), emphasizing his preeminence and sovereignty [2].
The early Church Fathers understood Jesus' heirship in the context of his divinity and humanity. John Chrysostom, for example, notes that Jesus' authority is not limited to his human nature, but is rooted in his divine nature as well [5]. The Catholic tradition, as represented by Thomas Aquinas, also emphasizes Jesus' divine and human natures in understanding his role as heir of all things [8].
The theological significance of Jesus being appointed heir of all things is multifaceted. It underscores Jesus' authority and dominion over all creation, emphasizing his role as the ultimate ruler and judge [6]. This concept is also closely tied to the idea of Jesus as the head of the church, with believers being united to him through faith [3]. As Charles Hodge notes, Jesus' exaltation to the right hand of God is a key aspect of his role as heir of all things, emphasizing his association with God in glory and dominion [10].
The implications of Jesus' heirship are far-reaching. It highlights the comprehensive nature of Jesus' salvation, encompassing not just humanity but all of creation [11]. As Irenaeus notes, Jesus' recapitulation of all things involves summing up all things, both in heaven and on earth [11]. This understanding is echoed in the Reformed tradition, which emphasizes Jesus' role as the mediator of all things, including creation and redemption [4].
Sources
- Ephesians “Ephesians 1:22 (Geneva1599) — And hath made all things subiect vnder his feete, and hath giuen him ouer all things to be the head to the Church,”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Heir — Under the patriarchs the property of a father was divided among the sons of his legitimate wives (Gen. 21:10; 24:36; 25:5), the eldest son getting a larger portion than the rest. The Mosaic law made specific regulations regarding the transmission of real property, which are given in detail in Deut. 21:17; Num. 27:8; 36:6; 27:9-11. Succession to property was a matter of right and not of favour. Christ is the "heir of all things" (Heb. 1:2; Col. 1:15). Believers are heirs of the "promise," "of righteousness," "of the kingdom," "of the world," "of God," "joint he”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Union With Christ — As Head of the Church -- Eph 1:22,23; 4:15,16; Col 1:18. Christ prayed that all saints might have -- Joh 17:21,23. Described as Christ being in us. -- Eph 3:17; Col 1:27. Our being in Christ. -- 2Co 12:2; 1Jo 5:20. Includes union with the Father -- Joh 17:21; 1Jo 2:24. Is of God -- 1Co 1:30. Maintained by Faith. -- Ga 2:20; Eph 3:17. Abiding in him. -- Joh 15:4,7. His word abiding in us. -- Joh 15:7; 1Jo 2:24; 2Jo 1:9. Feeding on him. -- Joh 6:56. Obeying him. -- 1Jo 3:24. The Holy Spirit witnesses -- 1Jo 3:24. The gift of the Holy Spirit is an ev”
- Westminster Confession of Faith (Reformed) “Westminster Confession of Faith (Reformed, 1646), CHAPTER 8 (part 1): CHAPTER 8 Of Christ the Mediator 1. It pleased God, in his eternal purpose, to choose and ordain the Lord Jesus, his only begotten Son, to be the Mediator between God and man, the Prophet, Priest, and King, the Head and Savior of his church, the Heir of all things, and Judge of the world: unto whom he did from all eternity give a people, to be his seed, and to be by him in time redeemed, called, justified, sanctified, and glorified. 2. The Son of God, the second person in the Trinity, being very and eternal God, of one subst”
- CCEL/NPNF (Eastern Orthodox) “John Chrysostom, Homilies on John & Hebrews: said above, that “by Him He made all things” here assigns to Him absolute authority. For what doth he add? “And upholding all things by the word of His power”; that we might hence infer not merely His being the express image of His Person, but also His governing all things with absolute authority. See then, how he applies to the Son that which is proper to the Father. For on this account he did not say simply, “and upholding all things,” nor did he say, “by His power,” but, “by the word of His power.” For much as just now we saw him gradually ascend”
- CCEL (Reformed (Old Princeton)) “Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 2, section 123: of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth.” ( Phil. ii. 9, 10 .) This is a perfectly exhaustive statement. All in heaven, all in earth, and all under the earth, include all rational creatures. The person to whom they are to bow the knee is Jesus, not the Logos, but the God-man. And the acknowledgment which they are to make is, that He is Lord, i.e ., their Lord, their absolute proprietor and Sovereign. It is in this sense also, that the Apostle says ( Heb. i. 2 ), that God hath a”
- Ephesians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Ephesians 1:22: And hath put all things under his feet,.... These words are taken out of Psa 8:6. See Gill on Co1 15:27. And gave him to be the head over all things to the church; the Vulgate Latin version reads, "and gave him to be the head over every church", or "all the church"; the Ethiopic version, "the whole church"; which intends not barely professors of religion, or a family of faithful persons, or a particular congregation, in which sense the word is sometimes used; but the whole body of God's elect, the church, which is built on Christ the rock, for which he gave himse”
- theology (Catholic (Scholastic)) “Aquinas, Summa Theologica, Third Part (Tertia Pars), Of the Ascension of Christ, Art. 5: Article: Whether Christ's body ascended above every spiritual creature? I answer that, The more exalted place is due to the nobler subject, whether it be a place according to bodily contact, as regards bodies, or whether it be by way of spiritual contact, as regards spiritual substances; thus a heavenly place which is the highest of places is becomingly due to spiritual substances, since they are highest in the order of substances. But although Christ's body is beneath spiritual substances, if we weigh the”
- Hebrews (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Hebrews 2:10: Having mentioned the death of Christ, the apostle here proceeds to prevent and remove the scandal of the cross; and this he does by showing both how it became God that Christ should suffer and how much man should be benefited by those sufferings. I. How it became God that Christ should suffer: For it became him for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings, Heb 2:10. Here, 1. God is described as the final end and first cause of all things, and as such it becam”
- CCEL (Reformed (Old Princeton)) “Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 2, section 134: § 3. Sitting at the Right Hand of God. This is the next step in the exaltation of our Lord. He rose from the dead, ascended into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God; that is, was associated with Him in glory and dominion. The subject of this exaltation was the Theanthropos, not the Logos specially or distinctively; not the human nature exclusively; but the theanthropic person. When a man is exalted it is not the soul in distinction from the body; nor the body in distinction from the soul, but the whole person. The ground of Chr”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “ANF Vol 1: Clement, Polycarp, Ignatius, Barnabas, Papias, Justin Martyr, Irenaeus — CHAP. XXI.--CHRIST IS THE HEAD OF ALL THINGS ALREADY MENTIONED. IT WAS FITTING THAT HE SHOULD BE SENT BY THE FATHER, THE CREATOR OF ALL THINGS, TO ASSUME HUMAN NATURE, AND SHOULD BE TEMPTED BY SATAN, (part 1): 1. He has therefore, in His work of recapitulation, summed up all things, both waging war against our enemy, and crushing him who had at the beginning led us away captives in Adam, and trampled upon his head, as thou canst perceive in Genesis that God said to the serpent, "And I will put enmity between t”