The meaning of the phrase τῷ ῥήματι τῆς δυνάμεως αὐτοῦ in Hebrews 1:3: An exegetical study

Abstract

Hebrews 1:3b contains the interesting phrase φέρων τε τὰ πάντα τῷ ῥήματι τῆς δυνάμεως αὐτοῦ ("he upholds the universe by the word of his power"; ESV, 2016:1221). This verse refers to the Son, who is said to uphold the universe specifically "by the word of his power" (τῷ ῥήματι τῆς δυνάμεως αὐτοῦ). This study aimed to uncover the intended meaning of this interesting phrase, specifically with regards to the use of ῥήμα. In order to achieve this, three objectives were accomplished. First, who the Son is in the book of Hebrews was determined by means of a literature study. Second, his role in creating and sustaining the universe according to Hebrews and the rest of the New Testament was determined by means of a grammaticalhistorical investigation of certain New Testament passages according to the method of Fee (2002). Third, how the author uses ῥῆμα and λόγος in his book, and how ῥῆμα is used in Early Christian Literature, was determined by means of a detailed word study. The study concluded by drawing the lines together and reflecting on the use and meaning of the phrase "by the word of his power" (τῷ ῥήματι τῆς δυνάμεως αὐτοῦ) in Hebrews 1:3. This occurrence of ῥῆμα was concluded to be a verbal utterance of the Son, serving as his powerful instrument in sustaining the universe.