Hebrews 1:4-14 (Part 1)

MacArthur "In this chapter we are going to be dealing with meat as opposed to milk...To some extent, it is like an iceberg. You can see the top clearly enough, but it may not appear too impressive or meaningful...below the surface of this passage...(are) deep truths."

I. The Son is superior to the angels.
-so much = tosoutos = so great, so much
-better = kreiton = superior, better, superior in dignity, worth, goodness;
What are angels?
(Much of the following description of angels is from MacArthur commentary on Hebrews)
1) Angels are spirit beings without flesh and bone.
2) Angels can appear in various forms.
3) Angels are power beings.
4) Angels have emotions and are very intelligent.
5) Angels don't marry or procreate.
6) Angles don't die.
7) People don't become angels when they die.
8) Angels are highly organized and divided into ranks.
9) Angels carry out God's ministry.
-Acts 7:51-53, Gal. 3:19

-He is superior because of:
a. His unique relationship with the Father.
-become = ginomai = be, become
-inherited = kleronomeo = to inherit, be an heir
1) Implies that at some point he became lower than the angels.
-made (2:9) = elatoo = to make less, to take lower rank
2) Demonstrates His superiority by nature and action.
-Cockerill "Thus He who was superior to them as the eternal Son became superior to them in a new way at the exaltation by procuring human salvation."
-Ps. 2:7
-II Sam. 7:14
-F.F. Bruce "The eternity of Christ's divine Sonship is not brought into question...the suggestion rather is that he who was the Son of God from everlasting entered into the full exercise of all the prerogatives implied by his Sonship when, after his suffering had proved the completeness of his obedience, he was raised to the Father's right hand."