Hebrews 1:4

 

So He became as far superior to the angels as the name He has inherited is excellent beyond theirs.
Hebrews 1:4 Berean Standard Bible (BSB)
 
having become so much better than the angels, as He has by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.
Hebrews 1:4 King James Bible (KJV)
 
Thus he became so far better than the angels as he has inherited a name superior to theirs.
Hebrews 1:4 New English Translation (NET)
 
So He became
This phrase indicates a transition or transformation. The Greek word used here is "genomenos," which implies becoming or being made. It suggests a change in status or position, not in essence or nature. Jesus, who is eternally divine, took on human form and, through His resurrection and ascension, was exalted to a position of supreme authority. This transformation is not about His divine nature but about His role and recognition in the heavenly realm.
 
as far superior
The Greek word "kreittōn" is used here, meaning better or more excellent. This superiority is not just a slight advantage but a vast, immeasurable difference. Jesus is not merely one among many; He is preeminent. This superiority is rooted in His divine nature, His redemptive work, and His exalted position at the right hand of God. Historically, angels were seen as powerful messengers of God, but Jesus surpasses them in every way.
 
to the angels
Angels are spiritual beings created by God, often serving as His messengers and agents. In Jewish tradition, angels were highly revered, and their role in delivering the Law at Sinai was significant. However, the author of Hebrews emphasizes that Jesus is far above these celestial beings. This distinction underscores the unique and unparalleled role of Christ in God's redemptive plan.
 
as the name He has inherited
The "name" refers to the title and authority bestowed upon Jesus. In the ancient world, a name was more than a label; it represented one's character and authority. The name Jesus inherits is not explicitly stated here, but it is understood to be "Son," as mentioned earlier in the chapter. This inheritance signifies His unique relationship with the Father and His authority over all creation.
 
is excellent beyond theirs
The term "excellent" comes from the Greek "diaphoroteron," meaning more distinguished or surpassing. This excellence is not just in degree but in kind. Jesus' name and position are inherently superior to those of the angels. This superiority is rooted in His divine sonship and His redemptive work, which angels cannot replicate or rival. The historical context of angelic reverence is redefined in light of Christ's supremacy.
 
Berean Standard Bible
 
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Superiority to Angels: The verse begins by stating that Jesus has "become" superior to angels. This isn't suggesting that Jesus was once inferior, but rather, in His human incarnation and exaltation, He has manifested a level of authority and glory that surpasses that of angels. This might be understood in terms of His role as the mediator of the New Covenant, His resurrection, and His ascension to the right hand of God.
 
The Name He Has Inherited: The "name" here often refers to "Son" or "Lord," titles which denote His divine nature and authority. In biblical culture, names often signify one's identity, character, or mission. Jesus, by inheriting the name "Son," has a position and honor that is inherently greater than that of angels.
 
More Excellent: The excellence of Jesus' name points to the uniqueness of His role and identity. This is not just about a title but signifies His divine essence, His role in creation, redemption, and His eternal kingship.
 
The context of this verse within Hebrews is to persuade Jewish Christians, or Christians familiar with Jewish teachings, that Jesus is not just another prophet or angelic messenger but is the Son of God, worthy of worship and obedience. This argument is crucial because in Jewish tradition, angels were highly revered as messengers of God, and some might have been tempted to see Jesus in a similar, but not superior, light.
 
Hebrews 1:4, therefore, sets the stage for the book's theological discourse by establishing Jesus' unique status in relation to the angelic hierarchy, thereby underscoring His divine sonship and the transformative impact of His life, death, and resurrection on human salvation.
 
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Being made so much better than the angels,.... Christ is so much better than the angels, as the Creator, than the creature; as an independent being, than a dependent one; as he that blesses, than he that is blessed; as he that is worshipped, than he that worships: as a king, than his subjects; as a master, than his servants; and as he that sends, than he that is sent: and Christ may be said to be "made so", when he was manifested and declared to be so; and he was actually preferred to them, and exalted above them in human nature, after he had expiated the sins of his people, and when he was set down at the right hand of God, as in the latter part of the preceding verse, with which these words stand connected; for in his state of humiliation, and through his sufferings and death, he was made lower than they; but when he was risen from the dead, and ascended to heaven, he was placed at the right hand of God, where none of them ever was, or ever will be: besides, the phrase, "being made", signifies no more than that "he was"; and so the Syriac version renders it, "and he was so much better than the angels"; and so the Ethiopic version, "he is so much better": and this is observed, to prove him to be more excellent than any creature, since he is preferred to the most excellent of creatures; and to show, that the Gospel dispensation is superior to the legal dispensation, which was introduced by the ministration of angels; and to take off the Jews from the worship of angels, to which they were prone: and this doctrine of his could not be well denied by them, since it was the faith of the Jewish church, that the Messiah should be preferred to the angels: for in their ancient writings they say of him, he shall be exalted above Abraham, he shall be lifted up above Moses, and be higher than the ministering angels (s); and that he is above them, appears from what follows,
 
as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they; which is that of the Son of God, a name peculiar to him; and which belongs to him in such a sense as it does not to angels, as is evident from the following verse: and though this name is not founded on his office, as Mediator, but arises from his nature and relation to God; yet he was declared to be the Son of God, and it was made manifest, that this name of right belonged to him, upon the discharge of his office, at his resurrection and ascension to heaven; and therefore he is said to obtain it by inheritance; or he appeared to inherit it of right, and that it was his possession for evermore.
 
(s) Tanchuma spud Huls. p. 321.
 
John Gill’s Exposition of the Bible
 
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Cross References:
 
Philippians 2:9-11
Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name above all names, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
 
Revelation 5:11-12
Then I looked, and I heard the voices of many angels encircling the throne, and the living creatures and the elders. And their number was myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands. In a loud voice they were saying: “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing!”
 
Matthew 28:18
Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me.