Pearls of the Word

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The most excellent name

by Jean-Louis Coraboeuf

"He became so much better than the angels, as he has inherited a name more excellent [diaphoros] than theirs" (Hebrew 1:4).

The Greek word diaphoros means excellent, distinguished, remarkable, superior: this quality is attributed to a person whether by inheritance or birth, by attribution from somebody greater or by the renown of his deeds. Jesus received the name "the most excellent" in the following ways:

• through inheritance (Hebrews 1:4) after being reborn by his resurrection (Acts 13:33),

• by attribution, for God in His sovereign power raised him by giving him this name, which is above all other names (Philippians 2:9),

• through conquest (everything he accomplished) by being stripped of all dominions, by delivering them up to public spectacle and by triumphing over them on the cross (Philippians 2:15).