Hebrews 1:4

Being made. Rather, “having become.” At His incarnation Jesus was made “a little lower than the angels” (see on ch. 2:9); now He is highly exalted (ch. 1:3).

So much better. The remainder of the chapter is devoted to a discussion of the contrast between Christ and the angels. The author sets out to show that Christ is, in the highest sense, God. If Christ is to purge men from sin, He must be God; for only God can forgive sins. Great as are the angels, and highly as the Jews regarded them, no angel can ever be a savior. The author therefore proceeds to show that Christ is “much better” than the angels.

The deity of Christ was a great stumbling block in the way of the Jews’ acceptance of Christianity. Israel had for centuries prided itself on the worship of only one God, whereas the heathen had many gods. “The Lord our God is one Lord” (Deut. 6:4) had been the challenge to their heathen neighbors. The Jews needed to understand the nature of the Godhead, that the phrase “one Lord” involved Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

By inheritance. Christ has been “appointed heir of all things” (see on v. 2). With this inheritance He was also given “a name which is above every name” (see on Phil. 2:9).

A more excellent name. Some believe that the name is “Jesus.” This was the name given to Him at birth, and it was given in recognition of the fact that He would “save his people from their sins” (Matt. 1:21); and since the angel who announced the name was only executing God’s command, it was in reality God the Father who gave Him that name. Others think that the title “Son” is here referred to. They believe this name is highlighted by the OT quotations cited (Heb. 1:5-8). It was with respect to the incarnation that the title “Son” came especially to be applied (see on Luke 1:35). The angels were merely “ministering spirits” (Heb. 1:13, 14); Jesus was uniquely “Son.”