His Superior Name

The Son achieved the “Purification of Sins” and qualified to “sit at the right hand of the Majesty on High.” As the unique High Priest “after the order of Melchizedek,” he intercedes for his people in the presence of God. Moreover, he inherited a “more distinguished name” than even the angels, namely, “Son.”

The first chapter of the Letter to the Hebrews demonstrates that this “Son” and High Priest is superior to even creatures as glorious as the angels of God. He is unique and supreme over all things.

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The Letter uses several comparisons to demonstrate his superiority. For example, his once-for-all sacrifice accomplished what the repeated animal sacrifices and priests of the Levitical code could never do. Consequently, he received more honor and authority than the Great Lawgiver, Moses.

The first contrast is between Jesus and the angels, and it employs several Old Testament passages to prove his superiority:

• (Hebrews 1:4-7) - “By so much becoming superior to the angels by as much as, going beyond them, he inherited a more distinguished name. For to which of the angels said he ever, You are my son; I, this day, have begotten you? And again, I will become his father and he shall become my Son? But whenever he again brings the firstborn into the habitable earth, he says, And let all God’s angels render homage to him! Even as to the angels, indeed, he says, Who makes his angels winds, and his ministers of state a fiery flame.” – (Passage alludes to Psalm 2:7, 2 Samuel 7:14, Deuteronomy 32:43, Psalm 104:4).

The argument proves the superiority of the Son by comparing him to persons and creatures widely recognized as excellent, and in this instance, to the angels. If they are glorious and holy, how much more so is the Son of God?

The passage employs the Greek term kreittôn or “better,” an adjective of comparison used to denote something or someone that is “better, best, nobler, noblest.” It is used thirteen times in the Letter to stress the superiority of Jesus or what God has done through him - (e.g., “Better Sacrifices” - Hebrew 7:7, 7:19, 9:23).

The reference to his “distinguished name” translates the Greek term ‘diaphoros’.It means something that is “distinct, distinguished, different.” The point is not simply that his name is better than that of “angel,” but that it is of an entirely different order since he bears the name “son” rather than “angel” or “messenger.”

The emphasis is on his position as the “Son,” the “High Priest,” and the “Heir.” The Author of the Letter knows this son is Jesus, but that name does not appear until the next chapter in the discussion about his sacrificial death and his qualifications for the high priesthood.

The Letter does not elaborate on the “habitable earth.” That subject is discussed in more detail in Chapter 2 when the eighth Psalm is discussed – (Hebrews 2:5).

The reference to “bringing the Son” once more into the “inhabited earth” points to the future coming of Jesus, and this is confirmed in Chapter 9 by the declaration that Jesus “will appear a second time, apart from sin to those who are awaiting him for salvation” – (Hebrews 9:28).

The Greek noun translated as “inhabited earth” normally refers to a land inhabited by men (oikoumené, Strong’s - #G3625). It was applied to regions considered civilized, to places where civilization existed as opposed to uncivilized or barbaric peoples.

TO NO ANGEL

The comparison begins with the rhetorical question: “To which of the angels said He at any time?” The expected answer is “none.” God never called any angel ‘son’ or elevated one to sit at His “right hand.”

Seven scriptural citations are used to demonstrate his superiority over angels, and the first six are divided into three pairs for literary effect:

• Psalm 2:7 and 2 Samuel 7:14.

• Deuteronomy 32:43 and Psalm 104:4.

• Psalm 45:6-7 and Psalm 102:25-27.

The first pair concerns his status, the second, the function of angels, and the third presents the reign of the Son. The seventh citation is a response to the rhetorical question. What God said to the Son He never said to any angel. The two words that link all seven scriptural citations to the Letter’s opening statement are “angels” and “Son” - (Psalm 110:1, Psalm 103:20-21, Hebrews 1:1-4, 2:1-4).

Jesus is distinct from the angels because he is God’s Son - He has a close and unique relationship with his Father, one that no other being has regardless of how powerful he, she, or it is. He alone is designated by the Letter as God’s “Son.” There is no other.

He is superior to the angels because he is a “Son” rather than a servant or a messenger. Not only so, but God also commanded all the angels “to render homage” to him. His high status is the result of his High Priestly act by which he “achieved the Purification of Sins” for his “brethren” – (Hebrews 2:17-18 – “Wherefore it behooved him in all things to be made like his brethren, that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest”).

The comparison to angels also anticipates the warning at the end of this first literary unit that describes how the Law was mediated “through angels.” That legislation was given to Moses at Mount Sinai through angels, the greatest of the prophets. In contrast, “upon the last of these days,” God has spoken His decisive word through one who is a “Son” rather than an angel or a prophet.

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• His Superior Word - (God spoke His definitive word in His Son, Jesus of Nazareth. All previous words spoken in the prophets were preparatory, promissory, and partial)

• Then He Sat Down - (Jesus is the Son whom God appointed as our merciful and faithful High Priest after his suffering, death, and resurrection)

• Purification of Sins - (Jesus is the Son whom God appointed as our merciful and faithful High Priest after his suffering, death, and resurrection)