1 God, having in the past spoken to the fathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, 2 has at the end of these days spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom also he made the worlds. 3 His Son is the radiance of his glory, the very image of his substance, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself made purification for our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high; 4 having become so much better than the angels, as he has inherited a more excellent name than they have. 5 For to which of the angels did he say at any time, "You are my Son. Today have I become your father?" and again, "I will be to him a Father, and he will be to me a Son?" 6 Again, when he brings in the firstborn into the world he says, "Let all the angels of God worship him." 7 Of the angels he says, "Who makes his angels winds, and his servants a flame of fire." 8 But of the Son he says, "Your throne, O God, is forever and ever. The scepter of uprightness is the scepter of your Kingdom. 9 You have loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness above your fellows." 10 And, "You, Lord, in the beginning, laid the foundation of the earth. The heavens are the works of your hands. 11 They will perish, but you continue. They all will grow old like a garment does. 12 As a mantle, you will roll them up, and they will be changed; but you are the same. Your years will not fail." 13 But which of the angels has he told at any time, "Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies the footstool of your feet?" 14 Aren't they all serving spirits, sent out to do service for the sake of those who will inherit salvation?
Different discoveries made of the Divine will to the ancient Israelites by the prophets, Hebrews 1:1. The discovery now perfected by the revelation of Jesus Christ, of whose excellences and glories a large description is given, Hebrews 1:2-13. Angels are ministering spirits to the heirs of salvation, Hebrews 1:14.
The intention of this epistle being to demonstrate the superior excellency of the Gospel revelation to the legal one, the apostle begins with the divine author of it, in which they both agree, and observes that in other things they differ. The revelation under the law was made in times past, the Gospel revelation in these last days; the former was made to the Jewish fathers that were of old, the latter to the then present apostles; the one was made at sundry times, and in divers manners, the other was made at once, and in one way; the one was made by the prophets of the Lord, the other by his own son, Hebrews 1:1 and therefore the latter must be the more excellent; in proof of which the author enlarges on the character of the Son of God, with respect to his person, office, and glory; showing that he is heir of all things, the Maker of the worlds, of the same nature and glory with his Father; is omnipotent, and upholds all things by the word of his power; is the High Priest of his people, who has made satisfaction for their sins, and purged them from them, and is now at the right hand of God, Hebrews 1:2 He goes on to prove that he is more excellent than the angels, by a variety of arguments, and these supported by testimonies from the Scriptures; as that he has a more excellent name than any of them, being called the Son of God, Hebrews 1:4 which is proved from Psalm 2:7 that he is the object of the worship of angels, Hebrews 1:6 which is required of them, Psalm 97:7 that he is their Maker and Creator, Hebrews 1:7 which appears from Psalm 104:4 that he has an everlasting kingdom, is a righteous King, and is richly anointed above his fellows, Hebrews 1:8 which is the sense of some passages in Psalm 45:6 and that he is the founder and former of the heavens, and of the earth, and will endure when they shall not, Hebrews 1:10 which is confirmed by testimonies out of Psalm 102:25 that he sits at the right hand of God, where none of the angels were ever admitted, Hebrews 1:13 as is clear from Psalm 110:1 and besides, the angels, as they are ministers made by him, they are sent out from him to wait on his people, the heirs of salvation, and minister to them, and therefore he must be greater than they, Hebrews 1:14.
(Hebrews 1:1-3) The surpassing dignity of the Son of God in his Divine person, and in his creating and mediatorial work.
(Hebrews 1:4-14) And in his superiority to all the holy angels.
SUMMARY.--The Message Spoken by the Son. The Glory of the Son. His Superiority to the Angels.
*More commentary available by clicking individual verses.