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The Supremacy of the Son
Hebrews 1:1-14 opens by showing how God has spoken and why the Son stands above every angel. The passage builds this teaching step by step, using direct descriptions of the Son and a series of Scripture quotations.
Understanding the passage
The setting of these words
This part of Hebrews is letter and teaching. It begins with God speaking in the past through the prophets and then says God has spoken to us by his Son. The writer then compares the Son with angels to show the Son’s higher name, place, and rule.
Hebrews 1:1–14Main takeaway
Hebrews 1:1-14 teaches that God has spoken by his Son, who shares God’s glory, reigns forever, and stands above the angels.
Follow the letter’s teaching
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01God has spoken by his SonThe passage begins by comparing two ways God has spoken. In the past, he spoke to the fathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways.
Explanation
The passage begins by comparing two ways God has spoken. In the past, he spoke to the fathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways. Now, at the end of these days, he has spoken to us by his Son, who is heir of all things and the one through whom God made the worlds.
02The Son reflects God’s glory and sits at God’s right handThe Son is called the radiance of God’s glory and the very image of his substance. He upholds all things by the word of his power.
Explanation
The Son is called the radiance of God’s glory and the very image of his substance. He upholds all things by the word of his power. The verse also says that after he had by himself purified us of our sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.
03The Son has a higher name than angelsHebrews states plainly that the Son has become much better than the angels because the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.
Explanation
Hebrews states plainly that the Son has become much better than the angels because the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs. The writer then asks which angel was ever addressed as God’s Son. Instead, when the firstborn is brought into the world, the angels of God are told to worship him.
04Angels serve, but the Son reignsThe passage speaks differently about angels and about the Son. Angels are described as winds and servants like a flame of fire.
Explanation
The passage speaks differently about angels and about the Son. Angels are described as winds and servants like a flame of fire. Of the Son, it says, “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever,” and his kingdom is marked by uprightness. He loved righteousness and hated iniquity.
05Creation changes, but the Son remainsThe writer says of the Son, “You, Lord, in the beginning, laid the foundation of the earth.”
Explanation
The writer says of the Son, “You, Lord, in the beginning, laid the foundation of the earth.” The heavens are the works of his hands, yet they will grow old and be changed. The Son remains the same, and his years will not fail. No angel is invited to sit at God’s right hand. Angels are serving spirits sent to do service for those who will inherit salvation.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01What contrast about God speaking appears in the first two verses?
Notice the difference between God speaking through the prophets in the past and speaking to us by his Son now.
02Which phrases in Hebrews 1:3 describe both the Son’s greatness and his work for sins?
Look for the words about God’s glory, upholding all things, purifying sins, and sitting at God’s right hand.
03What statements show that the Son is above angels in this passage?
Gather the lines about angels worshipping him, his throne, his seat at God’s right hand, and angels being serving spirits.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Hebrews 1:1–14
1God, having in the past spoken to the fathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways,
2has 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.
3His Son is the radiance of his glory, the very image of his substance, and upholding all things by the word of his power, who, when he had by himself purified us of our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high,
4having become as much better than the angels as the more excellent name he has inherited is better than theirs.
5For to which of the angels did he say at any time, “You are my Son. Today I have become your father?” and again, “I will be to him a Father, and he will be to me a Son?”
6When he again brings in the firstborn into the world he says, “Let all the angels of God worship him.”
7Of the angels he says, “He makes his angels winds, and his servants a flame of fire.”
8But of the Son he says, “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever. The scepter of uprightness is the scepter of your Kingdom.
9You have loved righteousness and hated iniquity; therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness above your fellows.”
10And, “You, Lord, in the beginning, laid the foundation of the earth. The heavens are the works of your hands.
11They will perish, but you continue. They all will grow old like a garment does.
12You will roll them up like a mantle, and they will be changed; but you are the same. Your years won’t fail.”
13But 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?”
14Aren’t they all serving spirits, sent out to do service for the sake of those who will inherit salvation?