Art Toombs Ministries
Online Bible Commentary
Christ is Superior to Angels
Hebrews 1:4 having become so much better than the angels, as He has by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they. 5 For to which of the angels did He ever say: "You are My Son, Today I have begotten You"? And again: "I will be to Him a Father, And He shall be to Me a Son"? 6 But when He again brings the firstborn into the world, He says: "Let all the angels of God worship Him." 7 And of the angels He says: "Who makes His angels spirits And His ministers a flame of fire." 8 But to the Son He says: "Your throne, O God, is forever and ever; A scepter of righteousness is the scepter of Your Kingdom. (NKJV)
The writer of the book of Hebrews, according to most commentators, is unknown to us today. However, he was known to those to whom this letter was addressed (Heb 13:19-23).
The writer was writing to Jewish converts to Christianity, therefore he was very likely one of their own, a Jew, like Paul. However, he wrote in a classical style of Greek, unlike the simple style of Paul.
Old Testament quotes are mostly taken from the Greek Septuagint, from which Paul did not regularly quote. And, the writer was anonymous. Paul identified himself in his other writings.
And yet, the doctrine is Pauline. The timing of the writing was also Pauline.
The writing was likely during the sixties A.D., since there is no mention of the destruction of the temple in 70 A.D.
Also, the writing was that of a second-generation Christian (Heb. 2:3, 13:7). The literal Greek here defines a second-generation Christian as one who was not present during the Lord’s earthly ministry. The Greek reads “to be spoken through the Lord by the ones having heard” (Heb. 2:3). Paul would qualify as a second-generation Christian under this definition, since he was converted after the Ascension of Jesus.
The writer was either writing from Italy or to Italy, as one who had been there (Heb. 13:24). Paul was imprisoned in Italy two different times during the sixties, and left the country in between the two imprisonments.
The classical Greek language and heavy use of the Septuagint could have been provided by Luke. Luke was with Paul during his second Roman imprisonment and was his amanuensis during Paul’s final days (2 Timothy 4:11). It is logical to assume that Luke was also Paul’s amanuensis for this letter.
Luke also translated the letter to the Hebrews into Greek, according to Clement of Alexandria in the second century. This commentator believes that the evidence points to Paul being the writer of this letter to the Hebrews.
In this passage Paul continues writing of the superiority of Christ. His audience is that of Jewish Christians, likely new to the faith. He is writing to encourage them to hold fast to Christianity and not to revert to Judaism, or a form of it.
In the preceding passage he wrote that Christ was superior to the prophets. He elevated Christ over the prophets, including Moses, by claiming that Christ replaced the prophets when He came to earth. Prophets no longer exist.
Jews not only held prophets in high esteem, but also angels. After all, the Law of Moses had been given through angels, by the burning bush (Acts 7:35, Gal. 3:19). So now, in this passage, Paul turns from the superiority of Christ over prophets to the superiority of Christ over angels.
Paul claims that Christ is greater than angels in three ways. First, he writes “having become so much better than the angels” (v. 4a).
Christ, the man, was made a “little lower” than the angels because he was subject to death (Heb. 2:9). However, with his resurrection and ascension to the right hand of God the Father in Heaven, He became “so much better”, or superior to them.
The second way that Christ is greater than the angels is through His inheritance. Paul writes “as He has by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they 5 For to which of the angels did He ever say: ‘You are My Son, Today I have begotten You’? And again: ‘I will be to Him a Father, And He shall be to Me a Son’?” (v. 4b-5).
The name He has inherited is that of “Son” of God. Paul quotes two Old Testament verses (Psalm 2:7 and 2 Samuel 7:14) in verse five to support his point. God never addressed an angel as His Son.
The third way that Christ is greater than angels is that they must worship Him. Paul writes “But when He again brings the firstborn into the world, He says: "Let all the angels of God worship Him" (v. 6).
Christ is referred to as the “firstborn” (v. 6a), meaning the first to have been given a resurrected body, but also, even more importantly, the first in matter of rank or honor. God bringing Christ “again…into the world” (v. 6b) refers to Christ’s second coming, when He comes to rule, when every knee will bow to Him.
The angels are included in this worship of Christ. Paul states "Let all the angels of God worship him" (v. 6c). This is a reference to Psalm 97:7, where angels, grouped into the term “gods”, meaning to be greater than men, are commanded to “worship him, all you gods.”
Paul continues “And of the angels He says: "Who makes His angels spirits And His ministers a flame of fire" (v. 7). Here, Paul quotes Psalms again, Psalm 104:4.
Angels are messengers of God. God created them, and He directs them.
They are Christ’s messengers and servants. They are sent to serve believers (Heb. 1:14).
Angels obey the Lord with the speed of wind and the intensity of fire. Christ is their superior. This is the point Paul wishes to leave with these Jewish Christians.
Finally, Paul writes “But to the Son He says: "Your throne, O God, is forever and ever; A scepter of righteousness is the scepter of Your Kingdom” (v 8). Paul completes this passage with one final, huge, comparison of Christ and angels.
Christ is addressed by God as “God” (v. 8a).
He is God, one of the three persons of the Trinity. The Trinity means that God has revealed Himself in three Persons; the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. There is no mistaking in this verse, and many others, that Jesus Christ is God!
Christ will rule from His throne “forever and ever”, eternally (v. 8b). And “righteousness” will be “the scepter” of His kingdom (v. 8c).
Christ rules His kingdom in righteousness. He rules over everything and everybody, including angels.
So, Christ is superior over angels. Some people today seem to act otherwise.
They seem to worship angels, in place of Christ. This is an act of worshiping another “god”, and breaks the First Commandment.
It is acceptable to favor angels, as those who do the work of God. But we should be careful not to elevate them above God.
God created them, and he sends them to do his work. Angels are servants of God.