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1. The Son Superior to Angels

¹ In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, ² but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe. ³ The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. ⁴ So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs.

The Son Superior to Angels

⁵ For to which of the angels did God ever say,

“You are my Son;
today I have become your Father” Psalm 2:7?

Or again,

“I will be his Father,
and he will be my Son” 2 Samuel 7:14; 1 Chron. 17:13?

⁶ And again, when God brings his firstborn into the world, he says,

“Let all God’s angels worship him.” Deut. 32:43 (see Dead Sea Scrolls and Septuagint)

⁷ In speaking of the angels he says,

“He makes his angels spirits,
and his servants flames of fire.” Psalm 104:4

⁸ But about the Son he says,

   “Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever;
   a scepter of justice will be the scepter of your kingdom.
⁹ You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness;
   therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions
   by anointing you with the oil of joy.” Psalm 45:6,7

¹⁰ He also says,

   “In the beginning, Lord, you laid the foundations of the earth,
   and the heavens are the work of your hands.
¹¹ They will perish, but you remain;
   they will all wear out like a garment.
¹² You will roll them up like a robe;
   like a garment they will be changed.
But you remain the same,
   and your years will never end.” Psalm 102:25-27

¹³ To which of the angels did God ever say,

   “Sit at my right hand
   until I make your enemies
   a footstool for your feet” Psalm 110:1?

¹⁴ Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?

4. Being made so much better, etc. After having raised Christ above Moses and all others, he now amplifies His glory by a comparison with angels. It was a common notion among the Jews, that the Law was given by angels; they attentively considered the honorable things spoken of them everywhere in Scripture; and as the world is strangely inclined to superstition, they obscured the glory of God by extolling angels too much. It was therefore necessary to reduce them to their own rank, that they might not overshadow the brightness of Christ. And first he proves from his name, that Christ far excelled them, for he is called the Son of God; ¹⁷¹⁷ Some by “name” understand dignity, but not correctly, as it appears from what follows; for the name, by which he is proved here to be superior to angels, was that of a Son, as Calvin here states. — Ed. and that he was distinguished by this title he shows by two testimonies from Scripture, both of which must be examined by us; and then we shall sum up their full import.