For it was not to angels that he subjected the world to come, of which we are speaking. 6 Instead, someone has testified somewhere: “What is man that you are mindful of him, or the son of man that you care for him? 7 You made him for a little while lower than the angels; you crowned him with glory and honor, 8 subjecting all things under his feet.” In “subjecting” all things [to him], he left nothing not “subject to him.” Yet at present we do not see “all things subject to him,” 9 but we do see Jesus “crowned with glory and honor” because he suffered death, he who “for a little while” was made “lower than the angels,” that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone. 10 For it was fitting that he, for whom and through whom all things exist, in bringing many children to glory, should make the leader to their salvation perfect through suffering. 11 He who consecrates and those who are being consecrated all have one origin. Therefore, he is not ashamed to call them “brothers,” 12 saying: “I will proclaim your name to my brothers, in the midst of the assembly I will praise you”; and again: “I will put my trust in him”; 13 and again: “Behold, I and the children God has given me.” 14 Now since the children share in blood and flesh, he likewise shared in them, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, 15 and free those who through fear of death had been subject to slavery all their life. 16 Surely he did not help angels but rather the descendants of Abraham; 17 therefore, he had to become like his brothers in every way, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest before God to expiate the sins of the people. 18 Because he himself was tested through what he suffered, he is able to help those who are being tested.
The kingdom of God, the Messianic kingdom is called the world to come (v. 5). God did not subject it to angels but to Christ. Man is insignificant when compared to God. The three verses cited from the Psalms (Ps. 8:5-7; vv. 6-8) speak of the greatness of God, and the smallness and greatness of man. Man, who is inferior to the angels, was exalted to glory and honor, and all things were made subject to him (Cor. 15:27). God created man to, “Fill the earth and subdue it (Gen 1:26-28),” although that has not yet fully come to pass (v. 8). For a little while Christ, through whom all things exist, became man and was made lower than the angels so that through the risen Christ man could be exalted to glory and honor. However, creation is not yet fully subjected to man in the same way that all things are under subjection to the Glorified Christ.
Christ was raised and “crowned with glory and honor (v. 9),” and all things, including angels, are subjected to him. Christ who consecrates, and mankind who is consecrated, both have the same Father because of his incarnation. Christ, who for a little while was made man and therefore had the same origin, became the firstborn from the dead through his suffering, death, and resurrection by the mercy of God so he could lead his “brothers” to salvation. Through Christ, mankind now has access to God. Psalm 22:23 and Isaiah 8:17b-18a in verses 12 & 13 are used by Paul to show Christ’s solidarity with humankind and man’s confidence towards God.
Jesus shared in our “blood and flesh (v. v. 14),” our frail human nature which dies. Death was not a part of God’s plan for humankind and was associated with the devil. Death was thought to sever one’s relationship with God so there was also a spiritual fear of death (Is. 38:18). Jesus came to help the descendants of Abraham to whom he belonged and to whom the promises were made. Jesus did not come to help angels, so he had to fully assume our human nature in order to be a merciful and faithful high priest who suffered and died for the forgiveness of the sins of humanity. By dying Jesus destroyed death and by rising he restored life. Jesus freed humanity from the fear of spiritual and corporal death (Gen. 3:15). Only God or a high priest consecrated by God could expiate sin. Jesus shared in our misery and also shared in God’s mercy. Because Jesus was himself tempted and tested throughout the time he was on Earth, he is able to be merciful to those who are being tempted.
Almighty God, hear the prayers of your children who can neither add nor take away from your glory. We are thankful that you look with mercy upon us, and we ask you to pour out your Spirit upon us so that we may be made worthy of the sacrifice your Son made to lead his brothers and sisters to your glory. This we pray through the same Christ our Lord. Amen!
Chiu, José Enrique Aguilar, et al. The Paulist Biblical Commentary. Paulist Press, 2018.
Brown, Raymond Edward, et al. The New Jerome Biblical Commentary. Upper Saddle River, NJ, United States, Prentice Hall, 1990.
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