Are we equal, lower, or higher than the angels?

Bible Question:There is a scripture that says that God made us a little lower than the angels. There is another scripture that states that when we die, we are equal to the angels. There is another scripture that implies that we are higher than the angels because God made us in His image. The angel asks God why does he pay so much attention to man. Can you answer these three questions? Are we equal, lower, or higher than the angels?

Bible Answer:We will try to unscramble the problem by addressing each question in order. First, scripture implies that we are made lower than the angels when the book of Hebrews says that Jesus Christ, who became a man, was made lower than the angels.

YOU HAVE MADE HIM FOR A LITTLE WHILE LOWER THAN THE ANGELS; YOU HAVE CROWNED HIM WITH GLORY AND HONOR, AND HAVE APPOINTED HIM OVER THE WORKS OF YOUR HANDS . . . (NASB) Hebrews 2:7

In the first chapter of Hebrews, we are told that Jesus was above the angels since He was and is God. But Hebrews 2:7-9 explains that when Jesus became a man, He was made lower than the angels in the sense that He took on human flesh. He was still God. He was God in human flesh. He was temporarily lower than the angels because He took on human form. Therefore, Hebrews 2:7-9 implies that humans are made lower than the angels.

Second, scripture never says that we are equal to the angels. Scripture only implies that we are lower than the angels while we live here on this earth. Yet, those who go to heaven will some day judge angels.

Do you not know that we will judge angels? How much more matters of this life? (NASB) 1 Corinthians 6:3

Some day those who believe in Jesus Christ and follow Him will judge the angels. The saints of the ages will judge the angels. This will occur not while we are made of flesh and bone. It will occur only after we receive new heavenly bodies. This is a future event that will occur after we have become joint-heirs with Jesus Christ.

Conclusion:Therefore, while we live here on this earth we are lower than the angels. But when Christians enter heaven they will be higher than the angels because they will be the sons and daughters of the living God (John 1:12).