HIS “MORE EXCELLENT NAME.” Hebrews 1:4 This verse cites Old Testament words that refer to the “Son.” The following verses highlight the high position, exalted nature, and superiority of the One called by the Father, “Son.” He is the heir and ruler of “all things.” He is the One through whom God created the “worlds,” and who is exalted to the highest position at God's right hand.
The clear revelation of the Person of our Lord Jesus Christ affirms His equality, for He is "the Son of God," the highest name given to Him by the Father. His exalted position in revealing divine glory sets Him apart from all the angels, not only because He is their Creator but also because of His exalted name, "Jesus, the Lord is Savior," which was given to Him on earth.
His name originates from His divine and eternal lineage, passed down by Him Himself, who was the Son forever. Without beginning, He was present when everything was created. Rightfully, He claims all that exists by the power of His name. The “I AM” is inherently supreme by His very nature—appearing in human form at times, even to those who catch glimpses of His glory, under which light people would usually die. He has taken the name “Jesus,” our Savior—God Himself has come near.
Angels humble themselves before Him, bowing with covered faces and feet, submitting their will to Him. Despite their God-given power and ability, there is One much higher and above them. They take His word and will very seriously, so much so that they would never again do, as some of their counterparts did, try to break away from constantly, willingly, and gladly obeying Him, knowing that His name and Person are far more excellent than theirs.
He is not an angel but the Creator of angels, and because of this, angels worship Him, and He alone deserves our worship. Heretics in the early church venerated angels and taught that people could only approach God through angels. This heresy caused problems in the church at Colossae, and they had to be reminded again that "in all things, He might have the preeminence."
Angels are beings created by the Lord to serve Him. Though they are mighty and have power given by Him to perform tasks that humans cannot do, they are still subordinate to their Creator. We, as redeemed humans, are "renewed after the image of Him that created him [us]." We have been predestined "to be conformed to the image of His Son." Our Lord is the Creator of the "worlds," which include the ages and the order of events. He "upholds all things by the word of His power." No other hand or power can add to or maintain what our Almighty Savior has accomplished when He "purged our sins."
Prophets in the past, from Samuel to Malachi, taught great things, but the Son is greater, with teachings more powerful and life-changing than any they offered. Angels had God-given power to serve and worship Him, but the ministry of the Son is more glorious and mighty.
Moses was a great leader who brought God's people out of bondage into freedom, but the ongoing leadership of the Son extends throughout the entire world and universe. Joshua was a mighty warrior used by God to achieve victory over enemies of His people, but the Son of God accomplished even greater victories over sin, death, and hell. Aaron, as the first high priest of Israel, represented the people to God and God to the people, but his priesthood came to an end. The Son of God is superior in His priesthood because He is the "High Priest forever," having reconciled us to God through His great sacrifice and the sacrifice He made Himself.
His “more excellent name” is “Son,” which signifies His deity—the Son from eternity—who openly declared Himself to be the Son when exalted to the highest place in heaven. No angel can claim that position. He created and sustains the universe, which He came to redeem through the sacrifice of Himself to purify us from our sins. He is now glorified far above the angels. His power and name surpass theirs, as the writer of Hebrews reminds the Jewish Christians, who once viewed angels as God's messengers. Now they are reminded that angels serve Him because Jesus, the Son, is God.
The Son of God, in His transfigured humanity, has returned to the glory He shared with the Father before the world began. Now, countless redeemed people are seated with Him. God has given Him a more excellent name: the Son of God, who also became the Son of Man, holds a higher name that expresses who He is and all that He has accomplished. By inheritance, He is far above angels as the Son and Mediator between God and humanity.
No one can compare to our Lord Jesus Christ, who is supreme in His revelations of God to us, in His name, "which is above every name," and in the offices He holds. He is preeminent in His Person as the "first-begotten," and in His role as "Lord."
Now, together with God’s saints, we draw near to worship and praise Him, who is our Lord and Savior—the God-Man among us, though the Ancient of Days. Coming into His presence with trust, not fear or trembling, but with grateful assurance, we come, for He is the God of our salvation. His name is more excellent than those of the earth’s highest birth, or those who, by high office, have some significant worth. But simply, with holy boldness granted to us by God’s exceeding grace, we come with Him—whose name is most excellent—into His holy place.
“The Son,” a name of the Lord Jesus Christ, is so far above the name of Michael, Gabriel, or any other name that there is no comparison. There is power in His name. There is fear in demonic hosts at the sound of His name. There is and will be the bowing of every knee before Him, and every tongue confessing Him as Lord and the mention of His name, the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. With this verse as an introduction, the writer reminds the Hebrew believers of scripture passages in the Old Testament that speak of the Messiah they were expecting. The more excellent name, “Son,” is mentioned multiple times to reassure those whose hands were weak and knees were shaky that faith in Christ is founded on solid scripture.