Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Hebrews 1:4

"having become by so much better than the angels, as he hath inherited a more excellent name than they." — Hebrews 1:4 (ASV)

“He became” is again somewhat unexpected (cf. “appointed,” v.2). The writer has made some strong statements about the excellence of Christ’s person, and so we should expect him to describe Christ as eternally superior to the angels rather than as “becoming” superior to them. But the writer says it this way because he was thinking of what the Son did in becoming human and putting away the sins of humanity. Of course, the Son was also eternally superior to the angels. That, however, is not what is in mind here. It was because he had put away sins that he sat down on the throne in the place of highest honor, and it is in this aspect that he is seen as greater than any angel. “Superior” (usually rendered “better”; GK 3202) is one of the author’s favorite words (7:7, 19, 22; 8:6; 9:23; 10:34; 11:16, 35, 40; 12:24). This strong emphasis on what is “better” arises from the author’s deep conviction that Jesus Christ is “better” and that he has accomplished something “better” than anyone or anything else. Another word that appears frequently in this letter is “angel” (GK 34). While the term can be used of a human messenger , sometimes sent by God (Mark 1:2), in the overwhelming number of cases it means a spirit being from the other world. In many cases the idea of a messenger remains. Sometimes, however, the thought is simply that of beings intermediate between God and human beings. It also may be used of evil beings, but references to good angels are much more common. In antiquity “the name” (GK 3950) meant much more than it does today. We use a name as little more than a distinguishing mark or label to differentiate one person from other people. But in the world of the NT the name concisely sums up all that a person is. One’s whole character was somehow implied in the name. Opinions differ as to what is meant here by “the name.” Some take this to mean that in his whole character and personality Christ was superior to any angel. Others think the reference is simply to the name “Son,” which is a better name than “angel” because it denotes superiority in character and personality. Either interpretation is possible. The word “superior” (GK 1427; a different word from earlier in v.4) as applied to “the name” has a derived sense, “excellent”; the name of the Son is “more excellent” than that of any angel. “Inherited” (GK 3099) as used here denotes entering into possession of an inheritance without regard to the means. So here we should think of Christ as obtaining the more excellent name as the result of his atoning work. The main idea is that of an abiding possession in Christ’s capacity as heir (see comments on v.2). II. The Excellence of the Christ (1:5–3:6) In the introduction the author has drawn attention to the excellence of the Christ; now he dwells on the point by emphasizing that Christ has a greater dignity than any other being—so great indeed that he must be classed with God rather than with human beings. Without weakening the doctrine of the Incarnation, this letter has as high a Christology as is conceivable. Nobody insists on the limitations of Jesus’ human frame as does the writer of Hebrews. But he unites with this the thought that Jesus is exalted far above all creation.