Bible Study Questions for Hebrews 2:7-9 (Verbum 37 B1)

1) Books Smart Search of all my Commentaries (1100): Was Jesus made lower than the angels?

Synopsis >>

According to the articles provided, Jesus was indeed made "a little lower than the angels" for a specific purpose. This phrase comes from a quotation of Psalm 8:4-6 in Hebrews 2:6-8, which is applied to Jesus. The text emphasizes that this lowering was temporary, described as "for a little time". This lowering was necessary for Jesus to experience human life and, crucially, to suffer death. The purpose of this temporary lowering was to enable Jesus to taste death for every person, which angels cannot do. Despite this temporary lowering, Jesus was subsequently "crowned with glory and honor" because of His suffering and death. This humiliation and exaltation were part of God's plan to bring "many sons to glory" and to make Jesus the perfect leader of salvation through His sufferings. Ultimately, this temporary lowering did not indicate inferiority, but rather enabled Jesus to regain the dominion that humanity had lost and to provide salvation for mankind.

2) Bible Study (Hebrew 2:7-9)

Resource Questions

"Hebrews: How Jesus speaks into Everything" (Lessons 1 to 8 used, but Lessons 3, 4 are the relevant ones)
> Hebrews 2:6b–8a is a quote from Psalm 8:4–6. Read Psalm 8. What is the primary theme of the psalm? What light does this psalm shed on the author’s argument about the Son’s place in the world, and among the heavenly beings?
> The author views Psalm 8:4–6 as prophetic. What does this prophecy emphasize about the Son?
> Why was the Son “made lower than the angels” “for a little while”? Who did the Son do this for?

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"Adult questions for Lessonmaker" (this book is Hidden!)
> What actions by Christ led to His current exalted position at the right hand of God? (2:9)
> What was unique about the death that Christ suffered? (2:9)
Then
> In what ways are we “a little lower than the angels”?

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"The Teachers Commentary"
> Q's here only relate to Warnings outside Chapter 2 and this passage.

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"Hebrews and James" (HNTC)
> Q's apply to the whole Chapter 2

AI Questions e.g.
> What does Hebrews 2:7-9 communicate about the significance of humanity in God's creation?
> What does the term 'crowned with glory and honor' signify about God's intentions for humanity according to this passage?
Then
> How does this passage reflect on the concept of Jesus' humanity and His role in salvation?

The Resource Questions required close inspection. The AI Questions (after 1 "Generate More") had a few relevant ones but "If you could choose any setting to have a Bible study, where would it be and why?" reflected the nature of the other Q's, as well as presenting opposing views on the subject of the passage.

But the AI Synopsis was accurate without being guided by a Passage (and the same words were generated in Logos 36.1).

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3) Bible Study (Ps 8:4-6)

Resource Questions
"Adult questions for Lessonmaker" (this book is Hidden!)
> Generally relevant where it applies to the passage (covers vs. 1-9)

AI Questions e.g.
> According to Psalm 8:4-6, what is the significance of humanity being made a little lower than the angels?

Lessonmaker was the only resource used. The AI questions were generally relevant, but some focused on the whole Psalm.But it assumes that humanity is lower than the angels, so the alternative interpretation of God is not raised, and this is the crux of the Psalm

The AI Synopsis for "Is humanity lower than the angels?" (no quotes) is

>> The question of humanity's status relative to angels is complex, as discussed in several articles. While humans were initially created "a little lower than the angels", this status is temporary and does not diminish humanity's ultimate significance. God's original intention was for humans to rule over creation, including angels, but this authority was lost due to sin. Jesus Christ, though temporarily made lower than angels by taking on human form, ultimately regained humanity's lost dominion through His death and resurrection. His humanity and suffering were necessary to save fallen humanity and restore their intended glory. As a result of Christ's work, believers now share in His kingly dominion and will reign with Him in the future. Thus, while humans may currently appear lower than angels, their ultimate destiny in Christ surpasses that of angels.

This presents the argument for humanity being "lower than the angels" i.e. a temporary status. But my commentaries also present the translation of "God" as being more appropriate (I won't get more theological than this).

In general, then, this is not my idea of Bible Study as the "generally relevant" questions try too much to put me into the passage without proper exegesis, and can mislead a Group (and possiblly the Leader) about interpretation.

I would use the AI Synopsis for my Group Study (using Clippings) because I can tweak it to a more balanced summary with "Is humanity lower than God?".