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In Jesus, God has shown us who he is

Many years ago, God spoke to our ancestors by his prophets.[a] He spoke many times and in many different ways. But in these last days, he has spoken to us in his Son.[b] In the beginning, God worked through his Son to make the whole universe. He decided that everything should belong to his Son. The Son shows us completely what God is like. He shines with God's great glory. His nature is the same as God's nature. The Son's powerful word causes everything to continue. He himself made it possible for us to be clean from our sins. After he had done that, he returned to heaven. He went and he sat at the right side of God, who rules with all authority.[c]

God's Son is greater than the angels

That shows us that God's Son is much greater than the angels. God has given him a name that shows he is more important than they are. God never said this to any angel:

‘You are my Son.
Today I have become your Father.’[d]

In another place in the Bible, God says,

‘I will be his Father,
and he will be my Son.’[e]

Also, when God was ready to bring his greatest Son into the world, he said:

‘All God's angels must worship him.’

God speaks about the angels like this:

‘God makes his angels like winds.
They serve him like fires that burn brightly.’

But this is what God says to his Son:

‘You are God and you will rule as King for ever!
You will rule your kingdom in a completely good way.
You love everything that is right.
And you hate everything that is wrong.
Because of that, you will be completely happy.
I am your God and I have blessed you.
I have chosen you to be greater than others who are with you.’

10 The Bible also says this:

‘Lord, in the beginning you made the earth.
With your own power, you also made everything above the earth.
11 All these things will come to an end.
But as for you, you will continue for ever.
Like clothes, those things will all become old.
12 Then you will put them away like an old coat.
You will change them, like people change clothes.
But you will always continue to be the same.
Your life will never come to an end.’

13 Also, God has never said this to any of the angels:

‘Sit at my right side until I win against your enemies completely.
Then you will be able to put your feet on them.’

14 So we see that all the angels are spirits who serve God. God sends them as his servants to help the people that he will save.

Footnotes

  1. 1:1 Before Jesus came, God sent his prophets to speak his messages to his people, the Israelites.
  2. 1:2 Jesus was much greater than any of the prophets. He did not just bring a message from God. He clearly showed God himself. He could do this because he is God's Son, not just a servant.
  3. 1:3 After Jesus died on the cross as a sacrifice for our sins, he rose up and went to sit ‘at the right side of God’. The right side is the most important place. This means that Jesus rules with the same power and authority as God himself.
  4. 1:5 See Psalms 2:7.
  5. 1:5 See 2 Samuel 7:14; 1 Chronicles 17:13.

God’s Final Word: His Son

In the past God spoke(A) to our ancestors through the prophets(B) at many times and in various ways,(C) but in these last days(D) he has spoken to us by his Son,(E) whom he appointed heir(F) of all things, and through whom(G) also he made the universe.(H) The Son is the radiance of God’s glory(I) and the exact representation of his being,(J) sustaining all things(K) by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins,(L) he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.(M) So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs.(N)

The Son Superior to Angels

For to which of the angels did God ever say,

“You are my Son;
    today I have become your Father”[a]?(O)

Or again,

“I will be his Father,
    and he will be my Son”[b]?(P)

And again, when God brings his firstborn(Q) into the world,(R) he says,

“Let all God’s angels worship him.”[c](S)

In speaking of the angels he says,

“He makes his angels spirits,
    and his servants flames of fire.”[d](T)

But about the Son he says,

“Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever;(U)
    a scepter of justice will be the scepter of your kingdom.
You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness;
    therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions(V)
    by anointing you with the oil(W) of joy.”[e](X)

10 He also says,

“In the beginning, Lord, you laid the foundations of the earth,
    and the heavens are the work of your hands.(Y)
11 They will perish, but you remain;
    they will all wear out like a garment.(Z)
12 You will roll them up like a robe;
    like a garment they will be changed.
But you remain the same,(AA)
    and your years will never end.”[f](AB)

13 To which of the angels did God ever say,

“Sit at my right hand(AC)
    until I make your enemies
    a footstool(AD) for your feet”[g]?(AE)

14 Are not all angels ministering spirits(AF) sent to serve those who will inherit(AG) salvation?(AH)

Footnotes

  1. Hebrews 1:5 Psalm 2:7
  2. Hebrews 1:5 2 Samuel 7:14; 1 Chron. 17:13
  3. Hebrews 1:6 Deut. 32:43 (see Dead Sea Scrolls and Septuagint)
  4. Hebrews 1:7 Psalm 104:4
  5. Hebrews 1:9 Psalm 45:6,7
  6. Hebrews 1:12 Psalm 102:25-27
  7. Hebrews 1:13 Psalm 110:1