Topical Bible: Man: Little Lower than the Angels

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The phrase "little lower than the angels" is derived from Psalm 8:5, where the psalmist reflects on the place of humanity within God's creation. The Berean Standard Bible translates this verse as: "You made him a little lower than the angels; You crowned him with glory and honor." This expression captures the unique position of human beings in the divine order, highlighting both their dignity and their limitations.

Creation and Dignity

According to the Genesis account, man is created in the image of God (Genesis 1:26-27), which bestows upon humanity a special status and responsibility. This divine image sets humans apart from the rest of creation, granting them dominion over the earth and its creatures. The phrase "little lower than the angels" underscores this elevated status, suggesting that while humans are not divine, they possess a glory and honor that reflects God's own nature.

The Role of Angels

In biblical theology, angels are spiritual beings who serve as messengers and ministers of God. They are often depicted as powerful and holy, dwelling in the presence of God and executing His will. Hebrews 1:14 describes angels as "ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation." The comparison to angels in Psalm 8 emphasizes the exalted position of humans, who, despite their earthly nature, are given a role that is just slightly beneath these celestial beings.

Human Limitations

While humans are crowned with glory and honor, the phrase "little lower than the angels" also acknowledges human limitations. Unlike angels, humans are bound by physical bodies and the constraints of time and space. The fall of man, as described in Genesis 3, further illustrates human frailty and the propensity to sin, which separates humanity from the holiness associated with angelic beings.

Redemption and Restoration

The New Testament expands on the theme of humanity's position relative to angels through the person and work of Jesus Christ. Hebrews 2:7-9 reiterates the Psalm 8 passage, applying it to Christ: "You made him a little lower than the angels; You crowned him with glory and honor and placed everything under his feet." Jesus, in His incarnation, took on human form and was made "a little lower than the angels" to fulfill the redemptive plan of God. Through His death and resurrection, He restored the broken relationship between God and humanity, offering believers the hope of eternal life and a future glorification that surpasses even the angels.

Eschatological Hope

The eschatological promise for believers is that they will be transformed and glorified, sharing in Christ's victory and exaltation. 1 Corinthians 6:3 hints at this future role, stating, "Do you not know that we will judge angels?" This suggests that in the consummation of all things, redeemed humanity will occupy a position of authority and honor that reflects their restored relationship with God.

In summary, the biblical concept of man being "a little lower than the angels" encapsulates the tension between human dignity and limitation. It points to the unique role of humanity in God's creation, the impact of sin, and the hope of redemption and future glorification through Jesus Christ.

Nave's Topical Index

Job 4:18-21
Behold, he put no trust in his servants; and his angels he charged with folly:
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Psalm 8:5
For you have made him a little lower than the angels, and have crowned him with glory and honor.
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Hebrews 2:7,8
You made him a little lower than the angels; you crowned him with glory and honor, and did set him over the works of your hands:
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Library

Christ Took not on Him an Angelic Nature, but the Human it was Men ...
... Him a little lower than the angels" [7142] how will it appear that He put on the
nature of angels if He was made lower than the angels, having become man, with ...
/.../tertullian/ on the flesh of christ/chapter xiv christ took not on.htm

A Glorious vision.
... Then we find here His presence as Man in Glory. "But we see Jesus, who was made
a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death crowned with glory ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gaebelein/the lord of glory/a glorious vision.htm

Christ's Saying, "The Father is Greater than I," is Explained in ...
... What is man, that Thou art mindful of him, or the son of man, but that Thou visitest
him? Thou hast made him a little lower than the angels." [1989] And in ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter viii christs saying the.htm

The True Excellence of Man.
... it in which man differs from beasts, and the angels of God, on the other hand, are
wiser than he? "Thou madest him a little lower than the angels." [2682] For ...
/.../clement/the stromata or miscellanies/chapter iii the true excellence of.htm

The Son and the Angels.
... Or the son of man, that Thou visitest him? Thou madest him a little lower than the
angels; Thou crownedst him with glory and honour, And didst set him over the ...
/.../the expositors bible the epistle to the hebrews/chapter ii the son and.htm

Prophecy Sets Forth Two Different Conditions of Christ, one Lowly ...
... of stumbling and a rock of offence;" [3186] "made by Him a little lower than the
angels;" [3187] declaring Himself to be "a worm and not a man, a reproach of ...
/.../the five books against marcion/chapter vii prophecy sets forth two.htm

Whether God Always Loves Better Things the More
... 2. Again, an angel is better than a man, according to Ps.8:5: "Thou hast made him
a little lower than the angels." Yet God loved a man more than an angel ...
/.../aquinas/nature and grace/article four whether god always.htm

Reflections on his Fiftieth Birthday. What a Wonderful Being is ...
... The heavens declare the glory of God, and the earth proclaims the dominion of man.
He was made a little lower than the angels, and crowned with majesty. ...
/.../chapter xix reflections on his.htm

Whether it is Fitting that Christ Should be a Priest?
... so that the priest himself, as being between God and man, is called ... But, in regard
to His passibility, He "was made a little lower than the angels," as the ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether it is fitting that 3.htm

What we must Answer to those who Raise the Question --"If ...
... also in the case of men, who were "made a little lower than the angels [1663] ,"
to ... inquiry as to the manner of the generation of souls, had man not needed ...
/.../gregory/gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/xvii what we must answer.htm