Hebrews 1

Christ is greater than the angels

God, who in time past, at various times and in diverse ways spoke to the fathers by the prophets, 2 in these last days has spoken to us by his Son, whom he has appointed heir of all things, and by whom also he made the worlds.

1:2 Verses 1 and 2 give the first of several comparisons in Hebrews.⚜

3 The Son is the brightness of God’s glory, and the exact image of his nature, and upholds all things by the word of his power. When he had by himself purged our sins he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, 4 being made so much better than the angels, as he has inherited a more excellent name than they.

1:4 In showing Christ’s superiority to the prophets (vs 1,2), the writer has shown His superiority to the angels as well. Note on angels at Gen 16:7.⚜

5 For to which of the angels did God ever say,

You are my Son, this day have I begotten you.

And again, I will be a Father to him,

and he will be a Son to me.

1:5 See Ps 2:7; 2 Sam 7:14. No angel can claim the title “God’s Son” for himself (see note at John 3:16). In 2 Sam 7:14 God is speaking first of David’s son Solomon. But He knew a greater than Solomon would come Who would be the Son of David and the Son of God (Rom 1:3-4; Isa 9:6).⚜

6 And again, when he brings the firstborn

into the world, he says,

And let all the angels of God worship him.

He is called God and His throne is eternal

7 He says of the angels,

Who makes his angels spirits,

and his ministers a flame of fire.

8 But he says to the Son,

Your throne, O God, is forever and ever.

A sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre

of your kingdom.

1:7-8 See Ps 104:4; 45:6-7. These verses show that angels are beings God has created. The Son of God is not a created being but shares God’s nature. In v 8 God the Father speaks to the Son and says through the prophet David – “Your throne, O God”. Some who deny Christ’s deity have tried to translate this “God is your throne”. This is an absurd translation. It actually makes Christ greater than God – for greater is the One who sits on a throne than the throne itself. See other references to Christ’s deity at Phil 2:6.⚜

9 You have loved righteousness,

and hated wickedness, therefore God,

your God, has anointed you with the oil

of gladness above your associates.

He is the eternal Creator

10 And he also says, You, Lord,

in the beginning have laid the foundation

of the earth,

and the heavens are the work of your hands.

11 They will perish, but you remain.

All of them will wear out like a cloak,

12 And like a garment you will fold them up,

and they will be changed.

But you are always the same,

and your years will not end.

13 But to which of the angels did

he ever say,

Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies

your footstool?

1:13 See Ps 110:1. Only to Christ His Son has God given the highest place in the universe.⚜

14 Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to serve those who will be heirs of salvation?

1:14 Christ is the Lord of men (v 10; Rom 14:9; Phil 2:9-11). But the angels are sent to serve those who will inherit salvation, those who are believers in Christ. “Salvation” here means the final step in their salvation – Rom 8:23, 29, 30; 1 Pet 1:5. We are not told here what service angels perform for us. Notes on angels at Gen 16:7.

With these words the writer has finished his first main point – God has spoken through His own Son Who shares His nature and Who is far greater than all men and all angels. We may be sure that God’s revelation through His Son is His final revelation. After sending His own Son and speaking through Him, why should He go back to His former method and choose a prophet from among men to speak through?⚜