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In Hebrews 2 it says Christ was made lower than the angels- what does this mean? Hebrews 2:9: “But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that He, by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone.” The reason He was made lower than the angels was to be a sacrifice for our sin (suffering of death). That he might taste death for everyone,” to redeem them. On account of this He was rewarded (Phil 2:8-9). Heb.2:7 quotes Psalms 8:4-5 and applies it to Jesus- “What is man that You are mindful of him, And the son of man that You visit him? For You have made him a little lower than the angels, And You have crowned him with glory and honor.”In the Old Testament God the Son came to men as an angel (messengers that looked like men). The angel of the Lord is called the angel of his presence, he is the covenant maker to Israel. Isaiah 63:8-9 “So He became their Savior. In all their affliction He was afflicted, And the Angel of His Presence saved them; In His love and in His pity He redeemed them.” The book of Hebrews has an underlying theme, to compare Jesus to the Old Testament types and show that he is better than them all. The whole of chapter one and two of Hebrews compares Him to angels and shows that He is superior. How was he made lower, by nature? NO, but by position. He assumed a position and rank that was inferior to that of the angels. He became a man and took a temporary position as a servant. It is speaking of the position He took as a man; his incarnation where he took human flesh. His ministry was exemplified by His servanthood. He is one person with two natures. He did not lower himself in only one nature. His whole being was involved, body, soul and Spirit. Hebrews 2:9 tells us that Jesus in His humanity was put lower than the angels “for a little while.” As Galatians 4:4 states, He was “born under the law, “subordinate to God in all things in a form of man.So it says in Heb.1:4: “having become so much better than the angels.” Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they” (from Vincent's Word Studies of the New Testament).Angels are the greatest of God’s creation and the Son is said to be better (v.4). How was he made better? By exaltation at the resurrection that returned Him to His former position in heaven that he left willingly for our sake. He already was better than all creatures in his nature before His incarnation, (being deity), as the very one who created all the angels. Angels have qualities greater than man as part of their nature. Angels as a species are called Sons of God collectively (elohim-Psalm 29:1), but no single angel is ever called God’s only Son. No creature is ascribed to them the name of “My Son.” The writer is proclaiming the Son temporarily was made lower to angels but becomes superior to all the angels. Being made lower than the angels,” means that Jesus became subordinated for his mission which we are told is the suffering of death ( for our sin). Because of this Jesus was then crowned with glory. and honor.Philippians 2:7-9 Jesus “made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name” thus He is crowned him with glory and honor being called the Lord Jesus Christ of whom every knee will bow to. |
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