CHRIST is BETTER: In Hebrews, Christ is portrayed as better. For example, “having become so much better than the angels, as He has by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they” (Heb 1:4). Of course, Christ is God of His angelic creatures. But Adam Clarke writes: “as God manifested in the flesh, He has [a more excellent name] in consequence of His humiliation, sufferings, and meritorious death.” Also “by so much more Jesus has become a surety of a better covenant” (7:22). This refers to the oath sworn by God, the sacrifice offered by Christ, and the terms of the covenant made (see also 8:6). His blood “speaks better things than that of Abel” (12:24)—not vengeance but peace. Thus, “a better, that is, a heavenly country” (11:16) awaits us, so you can afford now to “joyfully accepted the plundering of your goods, knowing that you have a better and an enduring possession” (10:34) there, “God having provided something better for us” (11:40). Glorious understatement!