“Thus he became so far better than the angels as he has inherited a name superior to theirs” (Hebrews 1:4 NET).
In William Shakespeare’s famous play Romeo and Juliet, we hear Juliet ask, “What’s in a name?” This is an important question, for a name is more than just a way to identify one human being from another. You see, a “name” also refers to one’s character, reputation, or position. This is why we typically seek to maintain a “good name” with our peers and avoid those who carry a “bad name.”
In this context, Jesus holds a name that is superior to any angelic being. This was a subject of great interest to the original readers of this epistle. It should also be a subject of interest to anyone who might be tempted to elevate the status of an angelic being today…
“The next step in the argument of the Epistle demonstrates that Christ is superior to the angels. This was necessary because the Jewish people had a very high regard for the ministry of angels. After all, the law had been given through angels (Act_7:53; Gal_3:19), and angelic beings had appeared frequently throughout the history of God’s ancient people.
Perhaps it was argued that in leaving Judaism for Christ, a person would be cutting himself off from this important feature of his national and religious heritage. The truth is that, in gaining Christ, he gained One who is superior to angels in a twofold sense—first as Son of God (1:4-14) and then as Son of Man (Heb_2:5-18). (1)
So how did Jesus inherit or obtain (RSV) this name? One author offers a brief but thorough response to that question: “The Gr. verb used here refers to a change of state, not a change of existence. The Son in His divine essence has eternally existed, but for a while He was made lower than the angels (2:9) and afterward was exalted to an infinitely higher position by virtue of what He had accomplished in His redemptive work.” (2)
In this manner, Jesus demonstrated who He had always been. Through His teaching, ministry, sinless life, and sacrificial work on our behalf, Jesus established His supremacy over every angelic being. As the author of Hebrews will go on to discuss at greater length in the following chapter, Jesus willingly accepted a position below the inhabitants of the angelic realm for a time. But following His death and resurrection, Jesus demonstrated to all that He carries a name that is far superior to that of any angel.
(1) William Macdonald, Believer’s Bible Commentary Edited by Arthur Farstad Thomas Nelson Publishers p.2159
(2) MacArthur, J. F., Jr. (2006). The MacArthur study Bible: New American Standard Bible. (Heb 1:4). Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers.