“And again, when he bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him.”
My Notes
What Does Hebrews 1:6 Mean?
The author of Hebrews makes a staggering claim about Christ's superiority: when God brings the firstborn (prōtotokos — the preeminent one, the heir of all things) into the world, He commands all the angels to worship Him. The Son doesn't worship with the angels. The angels worship the Son.
The quotation likely draws from Deuteronomy 32:43 (LXX) or Psalm 97:7. In either case, the instruction is divine: God Himself commands angelic worship of Christ. The Son's superiority to angels isn't self-proclaimed. It's Father-ordained.
"When he bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world" — this may refer to the incarnation (Christmas), the resurrection, or the second coming. In any case, the moment Christ enters the world, worship begins. The angels are already positioned. The command is already issued. The Son arrives and every heavenly being bows.
Reflection Questions
- 1.Does knowing that God commands all angels to worship Jesus change the weight you give to worshipping Him?
- 2.How does the argument (if angels worship Him, He's God) settle the question of who Jesus is?
- 3.Has your view of Jesus become too casual — and does this verse correct it?
- 4.What does it mean to worship Jesus 'by choice' when even the angels do it 'by command'?
Devotional
All the angels of God — worship Him. That's an order. From the Father. About the Son.
The author of Hebrews is building the case that Jesus is superior to angels — which was a critical argument for Jewish readers who revered angelic beings. And the argument isn't theoretical. It's a divine command: when God brings the firstborn into the world, He orders every angel to worship.
Every angel. Not some. Not the willing ones. All. The command is comprehensive and non-negotiable. The seraphim who cover their faces before God's glory? They worship the Son. The cherubim who guard the throne? They worship the Son. Michael the archangel? Worships the Son. Gabriel? Worships the Son.
If the highest beings in creation are commanded to worship Jesus, the question of His identity is settled. You don't worship a created being. You worship God. And if God commands His angels to worship the Son, the Son is God. The argument is airtight.
This should adjust your Christology if it's gotten casual. Jesus isn't a great teacher with a divine commission. He's the one the angels worship. He's the one the Father commands heavenly beings to bow before. The cosmic rank is clear: above every angel, above every power, above every name.
When the angels worship, they're not doing something optional. They're responding to a command. And if the angels worship Him by command, how much more should you worship Him by choice?
Commentary
Trusted original commentary from respected historical Bible scholars and theologians.
And again, when he bringeth the first begotten into the world;.... By "the first begotten" is meant Christ. This is a…
And again - Margin, “When he bringeth in again.” The proper construction of this sentence probably is, “But when,…
And again, when he bringeth in the firstbegotten - This is not a correct translation of the Greek, Ὁταν δε παλιν…
The apostle, having proved the pre-eminence of the gospel above the law from the pre-eminence of the Lord Jesus Christ…
And again, when he bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world The older and literal rendering is as in the R. V., "and…
Cross References
Related passages throughout Scripture