Christ, superior to angels
Hebrews 1:4(TLB) Thus he became far greater than the angels, as proved by the fact that his name “Son of God,” which was passed on to him from his Father, is far greater than the names and titles of the angels.
In biblical times, the Jews held a belief that angels ranked highest among beings, second only to God. They considered angels to be messengers appointed by God to deliver His Word to humanity and to carry out His will on Earth. Angels were seen as God’s advisors, and it was believed that God always consulted them before taking action.
Against this cultural backdrop, the author of Hebrews, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, highlights the superiority of Jesus over the angels, in the role of a mediator and the New Covenant that He initiated, which surpasses the Old Covenant. In Hebrews 1, the author presents seven references from the Old Testament to demonstrate Jesus’s superiority over the angels.
- Jesus is God’s Son
Hebrews 1:5(NLT) For God never said to any angel what he said to Jesus: “You are my Son. Today I have become your Father.”
Psalm 2:7(NLT) The king proclaims the LORD’S decree: “The LORD said to me, ‘You are my son. Today I have become your Father. - Jesus is the Promised Son
Hebrews 1:5b(NLT) God also said, “I will be his Father, and he will be my Son.” - Jesus is the Worshipped Son
Hebrews 1:6(NLT) And when he brought his supreme Son into the world, God said, “Let all of God’s angels worship him.”
Psalm 97:7(NLT) Those who worship idols are disgraced- all who brag about their worthless gods- for every god must bow to him. - Angels are servants of God
Hebrews 1:7(NLT) Regarding the angels, he says, “He sends his angels like the winds, his servants like flames of fire.”
Hebrews 1:14(NLT) Therefore, angels are only servants—spirits sent to care for people who will inherit salvation.
Psalm 104:4(NLT) The winds are your messengers; flames of fire are your servants.
The Greek version reads: He sends his angels like the winds, his servants like flames of fire.
By serving Jesus, angels also serve those who are being saved by Jesus. - Jesus is the Ruling Son
Hebrews 1:8-9(NLT) But to the Son he says, “Your throne, O God, endures forever and ever. You rule with a scepter of justice. You love justice and hate evil. Therefore, O God, your God has anointed you, pouring out the oil of joy on you more than on anyone else.”
Psalm 45:6-7(NLT) Your throne, O God, endures forever and ever. You rule with a scepter of justice. You love justice and hate evil. Therefore God, your God, has anointed you, pouring out the oil of joy on you more than on anyone else.
Isaiah 9:7(NLT) His government and its peace will never end. He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David for all eternity. The passionate commitment of the LORD of Heaven’s Armies will make this happen! - Jesus is the Eternal Son
Hebrews 1:10-12(NLT) He also says to the Son, “In the beginning, Lord, you laid the foundation of the earth and made the heavens with your hands. They will perish, but you remain forever. They will wear out like old clothing. You will fold them up like a cloak and discard them like old clothing. But you are always the same; you will live forever.”
Psalm 102:25-27(NLT) Long ago you laid the foundation of the earth and made the heavens with your hands. They will perish, but you remain forever; they will wear out like old clothing. You will change them like a garment and discard them. But you are always the same; you will live forever. - Jesus is the Divine Son
Hebrews 1:13(NLT) And God never said to any of the angels, “Sit in the place of honor at my right hand until I humble your enemies, making them a footstool under your feet.”
Psalm 110:1(NLT) The LORD said to my Lord, “Sit in the place of honor at my right hand until I humble your enemies, making them a footstool under your feet.”
I conclude with Philippians 2:9-11(NLT) Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.