Fathers

Hebrews 2

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Therefore we ought to pay greater attention to the things that were heard, lest perhaps we drift away. For if the word spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just penalty, how will we escape if we neglect so great a salvation—which at the first having been spoken through the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard, God also testifying with them, both by signs and wonders, by various works of power and by gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to his own will? For he didn’t subject the world to come, of which we speak, to angels. But one has somewhere testified, saying, “What is man, that you think of him? Or the son of man, that you care for him? You made him a little lower than the angels. You crowned him with glory and honor. You have put all things in subjection under his feet.” For in that he subjected all things to him, he left nothing that is not subject to him. But now we don’t see all things subjected to him, yet. But we see him who has been made a little lower than the angels, Jesus, because of the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that by the grace of God he should taste of death for everyone. For it became him, for whom are all things, and through whom are all things, in bringing many children to glory, to make the author of their salvation perfect through sufferings. For both he who sanctifies and those who are sanctified are all from one, for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brothers, saying, “I will declare your name to my brothers. Among the congregation I will sing your praise.” Again, “I will put my trust in him.” Again, “Behold, here I am with the children whom God has given me.” Since then the children have shared in flesh and blood, he also himself in the same way partook of the same, that through death he might bring to nothing him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and might deliver all of them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. For most certainly, he doesn’t give help to angels, but he gives help to the offspring of Abraham. Therefore he was obligated in all things to be made like his brothers, that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make atonement for the sins of the people. For in that he himself has suffered being tempted, he is able to help those who are tempted.

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What the Fathers say

Hebrews 2:9

Eastern Fathers

John Chrysostom

Then again there is another consolation if indeed He who is hereafter to have all put in subjection under Him, hath Himself also died and submitted to sufferings innumerable. "But," he says, "we see Him who was made a little lower than the angels, even Jesus, for the suffering of death" - then the good things again, - "crowned with glory and honor." Seest thou, how all things apply to Him? For the expression, "a little," would rather suit Him, who was only three days in Hades, but not ourselves who are for a long time in corruption. …

Homily on Hebrews 4 ↗

Theophylact of Ohrid

He endeavors to show that what was said pertains to Christ, and says: although the expression "He subjected all things" would seem to refer only to Him, nevertheless we have shown that this too will undoubtedly be fulfilled. But to be made a little lower than the angels pertains more to Him than to us. For He, having spent three days in Hades as a man, was made only a little lower than the angels, since they are entirely free from death. …

Commentary on Hebrews ↗

Oecumenius

"But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels." Paul endeavors to show that what was said applies to Christ, and he says that even if he subjected all things, it does not yet seem to fit him; and yet we showed that ultimately even this will occur; but then that he was made a little lower than the angels, this fits Him rather than us. …

The Pseudo-Oecumenian Catena on Hebrews ↗

Western Saints

Thomas Aquinas

121. – Above, the Apostle, desiring to prove Christ's eminence over the angels, relied on the authority of a prophet who said something pertaining to Christ's dignity, such as, 'you put everything in subjection under his feet', and something pertaining to His Passion, namely, 'you have made him a little less than the angels'. But this seems to militate against his chief intention, which is to prefer Christ over the angels. …

Commentary on Hebrews ↗

Bonaventure

In the New Testament, after the universal scripture and the course of time, Christ was formed, as was man on the sixth day, that He may "have dominion over the fish of the sea," and "the birds of the air." As the Psalm says, "what is man that You should be mindful of him, or the son of man that You should care for him? You have made him little less than the angels, and crowned him with glory and honor. …

Collations on the Hexaemeron, Collation 16 ↗