God became lower than the angels

[Quaere_Verum]

In last Sunday’s second reading there was a referral to God becoming lower than the angels when He became man. However, if man is created in God’s image and likeness then how can we be considered “lower than the angels”?

 

[ribozyme]

In last Sunday’s second reading there was a referral to God becoming lower than the angels when He became man. However, if man is created in God’s image and likeness then how can we be considered “lower than the angels”?

Perhaps it does not refer to rank, but as God descended to a lower plane of existence, such as the physical world as opposed to heaven.

 

[LilyM]

Man is potentially higher than the angels because we are made in God’s own image which the angels aren’t. The perfected and sinless people - Jesus and Mary - are in their glory and spotlessness higher.

But in practice of course, being fallen, we’re usually lower

 

[gelsbern]

Psalm 8 (Douay-Rheims)

1 Unto the end, for the presses: a psalm of David. 2 O Lord our Lord, how admirable is thy name in the whole earth! For thy magnificence is elevated above the heavens. 3 Out of the mouth of infants and of sucklings thou hast perfected praise, because of thy enemies, that thou mayst destroy the enemy and the avenger. 4 For I will behold thy heavens, the works of thy fingers: the moon and the stars which thou hast founded. 5 What is man that thou art mindful of him? or the son of man that thou visitest him? 6** Thou hast made him a little less than the angels, thou hast crowned him with glory and honour:** 7 And hast set him over the works of thy hands. 8 Thou hast subjected all things under his feet, all sheep and oxen: moreover the beasts also of the fields. 9 The birds of the air, and the fishes of the sea, that pass through the paths of the sea. 10 O Lord our Lord, how admirable is thy name in all the earth!

 

[Pug]

Gelsbern has helpfully pointed to the psalm that is being quoted in Hebrews about the angels. I suggest reading it.

Also, I would like to point out how the whole first part of Hebrews goes on and on about how Christ is higher than all the angels. So this remark about lower than angels is in the context of that. He is a little lower than the angels for awhile only. He isn’t anymore.

I think mortality or death might have something to do with it. He became one of us and died. He was perfected through this suffering and obedience and was then exalted. Then he was above everyone again. Since angels don’t die, this could be relevant. They don’t live in slavery to the fear of death.

I’m just thinking outloud here.

 

[Quaere_Verum]

Thanks for the responses. You’ve been very helpful.

 

[Daniel_Marsh]

Phil 2 is speaking about Jesus humbling himself at the incarnation. One can view the phrase as rank or sphere of existence.

The angels are sinless and live in heaven and on earth daily.

The angels are experiencing an exaulted state of being in heaven.

There is also a Jewish belief that the angels occupply the second heaven – but, this is a minority opinion and may not related in this historical context.

So, Jesus entered our sphere of existence which contains sin.

Thus Jesus humbled himself as a man, left his godly abode, which was sinless, to enter our abode, below heavens, where sin and the devil play.

The key to the text is Jesus humbling himself by leaving his heavenly abode to enter our earthly abode. Angels are present in both abodes. But, sinful man is only in the earthly abode. By the time man enters heaven, his sinful nature is gone.