Homilies on the Epistle to the Hebrews

“Being made,” says he, “so much better than the angels, as He has by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.” The “being made,” here, is instead of “being shown forth,” as one may say. Then also from what does he reason confidently? From the Name. Do you see that the name Son is wont to declare true relationship? And indeed if He were not a true Son (and “true” is nothing else than “of Him”), how does he reason confidently from this? For if He be Son only by grace, He not only is not “more excellent than the angels,” but is even less than they. How? Because righteous men too were called sons; and the name son, if it be not a genuine son, does not avail to show the “excellency.” When too he would point out that there is a certain difference between creatures and their maker, hear what he says: