"Hi ..., can you help me with this? Angel and human being: which are superior creatures? Is it because we were created in the image of God? What about this scripture (Heb 2:7)?
ANSWER:
The word "superior" in your
question is subject to several implications; is it superior in power,
authority, strength, abilities... et al? Now, the reality is that if angels are
greater in any way than the regenerated man, then angels are also greater than
Christ. The born-again in Christ is the extension of Him, he that is born in
Him is Him, with Him and in Him; Christ and His body are one (1Jn 4:17, 1Cor
6:17, Eph. 5:30-32, Rom 12:4-5). If that is the case what about the scripture you
just quoted, (Heb 2:7)? I guess you asked that, alright? It’s simple. I will explain
that but let me first add to your question, the Bible even says in heaven we shall
be like the angels (Matt 22:30). Will that be a reduction if we are greater?
Firstly, we shall be like the angels in strength and in expressive ability. Now
because of our emotions and other earthly cares very few can be celibates for
God but Paul comments on that: (1Cor 7:7). So then, because of the resurrected
body, we shall vitally exercise certain celestial abilities. But on the subject
of who is greater in authority and even in power (legally) the scriptures are
clear on that.(Heb 7:7), say it is the greater that blessed the lesser, now the
served and the servant who is greater? The Bible says angels are sent as
ministers (servants) to the heirs if salvation, (Heb 1:14). The bible also says
we shall judge angels, (1Cor 6:3). You can’t judge someone greater than you.
The president cannot be judged by the Supreme Court unless he is impeached,
why? He is greater; he even appoints the attorney general or the chief justice.
Now on the scripture in (Heb 2:7), that we are made a little lower than the
angels, it is one of the challenges the translation poses to us. The text in (Heb.
2:7) (if you use a good bible), it's either in italics or quotation marks. It
was actually quoted from (Psalm 8:5), and there, from the original Hebrew text,
it says elohiym, the plural name for elowwa which is the name of God (YAHWEH).
It is not mal'ak (Heb for angel) or aggelos as the Greek Septuagint puts it.
The Heb (LXX) says "you have reduced (not even made) him a little lower
than God" (Elohiym). You can check for yourself. Note the angels are not
jealous or offended in this, in fact they rejoice at our maturity and increased
depth of knowledge: by that we show them more (Eph 3:10).
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