John Calvin Commentary Hebrews 1:13

"But of which of the angels hath he said at any time, Sit thou on my right hand, Till I make thine enemies the footstool of thy feet?" — Hebrews 1:13 (ASV)

But to whom of the angels, etc. He again by another testimony extols the excellence of Christ, so that it might be evident from this how much he is above the angels. The passage is taken from Psalms 110:1, and it cannot be explained as referring to anyone but Christ. For as it was not lawful for kings to touch the priesthood, as is testified by the leprosy of Uzziah, and as it appears that neither David nor any other of his successors in the kingdom was ordained a priest, it follows that a new kingdom as well as a new priesthood is introduced here, since the same person is made both a king and a priest. Besides, the eternity of the priesthood is suitable for Christ alone.

Now, in the beginning of the Psalm, he is set at God’s right hand. This form of expression, as I have already said, means the same as if it were said that the second place was given him by the Father. For it is a metaphor that signifies that he is the Father’s vicegerent and his chief agent in exercising authority, so that the Father rules through him. None of the angels holds such an honorable office; therefore, Christ far excels all.

Until I make, etc. Since enemies are never lacking to oppose Christ’s kingdom, it does not seem to be beyond the reach of danger, especially as those who attempt to overthrow it possess great power, resort to various schemes, and also make all their attacks with furious violence. Doubtless, if we were to regard things as they appear, the kingdom of Christ would often seem to be on the verge of ruin.

But the promise that Christ will never be thrust from his seat takes away from us every fear, for he will lay all his enemies prostrate. These two things, then, should be kept in mind: first, that the kingdom of Christ will never be at rest in this world, but that there will be many enemies by whom it will be disturbed; and secondly, that whatever its enemies may do, they will never prevail, for Christ’s session at God’s right hand will not be for a time, but until the end of the world. On this account, all who will not submit to his authority will be laid prostrate and trodden under his feet.

If anyone asks whether Christ’s kingdom will come to an end when all his enemies are subdued, I give this answer: his kingdom will be perpetual, and yet in the way that Paul intimates in 1 Corinthians 15:25. For we are to understand this: that God, who is not known to us in Christ, will then appear to us as he is in himself. And yet Christ will never cease to be the head of humans and of angels, nor will there be any reduction in his honor. But the solution to this question must be sought from that passage.