Introduction

In the second chapter of Hebrews, the writer makes an interesting statement which, if you’ve read Psalms, you’re already familiar with the phrase.

The writer states, You have put all things in subjection under his feet.” For in that He put all in subjection under him, He left nothing that is not put under him. But now we do not yet see all things put under him. 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. (Hebrews 2:8-9)

In verse 9, he speaks of Jesus being lower than the angels. What exactly does that mean? We’ll explore the answer in this article.

What are Angels?

An in-depth discussion, here, would overtake the initial article. But click this link and you’ll be taken to a sermon outline which will give you a basic idea of angels.

From the 1828 edition of Webster’s dictionary, 1. Literally, a messenger; one employed to communicate news or information from one person to another at a distance. But appropriately, 2. A spirit, or a spiritual intelligent being employed by God to communicate his will to man. Hence angels are ministers of God, and ministering spirits (Heb. 1:4).

Why Lower than the Angels?

Initially, Jesus wasn’t lower than the angels but “was made lower” when He came to earth in the form of a man. The apostle Paul discusses this in his letter to the church in Philippi, Have this mind in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: who, existing in the form of God, counted not the being on an equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men (Philippians 2:5-7 ASV).

Notice, the American Standard Version says, “he emptied himself”. This means that Jesus left the power and glory of Heaven to live a humble life on earth, walking among us, teaching us, and setting the example (1 Pet. 2:21). This is not to say that Jesus was wholly mortal as He was still ‘God on earth’ (Mt. 1:23)

His purpose, as the writer of Hebrews states, Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. (Hebrews 4:14-15)

In human form, He understood how the human body works and reacted to various situations such as temptation (Mt. 4:1-11). He set the example as to how His followers (Christians) should live their lives and then: when He went to the cross, died for our sins, was raised by The Father, was seated at His right hand, and will judge everyone in the Final Day (Acts 17:31).

Conclusion

Knowing what it was like to live as a human, for a time, on earth, makes Him the perfect individual to judge all of mankind. None of the angels experienced anything of this magnitude.

Returning to Hebrews 2, the writer states, For indeed He does not give aid to angels, but He does give aid to the seed of Abraham. Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted. (Hebrews 2:16-18)