Hebrews 2:8
Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet. For in that he put all in subjection under him, he left nothing that is not put under him. But now we see not yet all things put under him. Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet. For in that he put all in subjection under him, he left nothing that is not put under him. But now we see not yet all things put under him.
God crowned humanity with glory and honor only a little lower than the angels and placed all the works of His hands under human feet and authority, yet that complete subjection is not now seen. That dominion belonged to the first parents and was forfeited when the first Adam disobeyed, bringing sin upon all his posterity and rebellion into the animal creation and nature itself. What was promised is seen in Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death and crowned with glory and honor that He by grace should taste death for every person. He became one with humanity and passed over the same ground where Adam fell, tested as all are tested, and by His victory over Satan placed the race on vantage ground with every advantage to withstand temptation and perfect character. All things are not yet subdued under Him because He has not yet set up His kingdom on earth and Satan's agencies remain unsubdued, but this does not mean His death was in vain, for He is carrying forward His work in the heavenly sanctuary and His final triumph is sure.
Dominion Given Then Lost
The verse describes man crowned with glory and honor and set over the works of God's hands, with all things put in subjection under his feet. He was made only a little lower than the angels for dominion over the earth and its creatures and the rest of nature, made with every provision for that rule. He was created upright, with a nature allied to angels and an inheritance of eternal life.
That dominion belonged to the first parents and was lost through sin by the first Adam when he transgressed and disobeyed. By that disobedience he forfeited man's rule and brought sin upon all his posterity. While Adam remained loyal nature acknowledged his rule, but when he fell rebellion spread through the animal creation, so the effects of sin were seen in beasts and plants and the air.
In putting all in subjection under him God left nothing that is not put under him, placing all things under humanity's feet and authority and dominion. Yet now that complete subjection is not seen, and all things are not yet seen put under him.
Because of the fall, fallen man is not a perfect criterion and cannot safely make himself supreme or ask fellow men to make him their pattern in words and actions.
Subjection Seen in Jesus
What was promised of complete subjection is seen in Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death and crowned with glory and honor that by grace He should taste death for every man. What was lost by the first Adam is to be restored by the second Adam, for the dominion first given over the works of God's hands is now beheld in Him. He became lower than the angels to reach humanity, and His suffering made Him the Captain of salvation to bring many sons unto glory.
He took the nature of man and became one with humanity, passing over the same ground where Adam fell and tested and tried as all human beings are. Satan came to Him as an angel of light to induce Him to sin and thus place the race entirely under the dominion of evil. His willing humiliation in becoming man's Redeemer meant taking human nature without appearing equal to the angels of heaven, which He knew beforehand. His lowly, suffering condition did not mean He was forsaken or lacked divine authority but was accepted as part of His mission to redeem humanity.
In the wilderness His emaciated, distressed, suffering appearance looked inferior even to angels. Satan came clothed with light and strong in power as a messenger from heaven, and contrasted his own attractive appearance with Christ's lowly condition. He taunted Him as if He were the fallen angel exiled to earth rather than the King of Heaven, and demanded evidence of His exalted character as the Son of God. On that ground he pressed Him with temptation upon appetite that was almost overpowering, because on that point he had overcome Adam, had controlled his descendants until God destroyed them by the Flood, had caused Israel to fall in the wilderness, and had gained almost entire control of the world.
Christ was victorious and Satan was defeated, and His victory over Satan and fallen angels shows the authority and triumph pointed to in the putting of all things under His feet. By that victory the race was placed on vantage ground with God, with all the treasures of heaven placed at human disposal in the gift of the Son. There is left no excuse for sin, and every advantage is given to withstand temptation, to improve rather than deteriorate, and to perfect faultless character. Through the man Christ Jesus human nature is exalted, for by suffering death He became the Captain of salvation made perfect through sufferings to bring many sons unto glory, showing God's love for the fallen race. For those who receive Christ power is given to become the sons of God, who through His power become partakers of the divine nature, sanctified through conformity to His image and character and made one with Him as He is one with the Father.
Not Yet Fully Realized
The subjection spoken of concerns the world to come, which was not put in subjection to angels, as part of so great salvation which began to be spoken by the Lord and was confirmed with signs and wonders and gifts of the Holy Ghost. It is a great fundamental truth worthy of study that shows accountability to God for wonderful privileges and must not be neglected for speculation over what is not clearly revealed. Though now all things are not yet seen put under him, the answer is seen in Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death and crowned with glory and honor that He by the grace of God should taste death for every man.
All things are not yet subdued under Christ because Christ has not yet set up His kingdom on the earth and Satan's agencies remain unsubdued. The great majority of the inhabitants of the world still belong to Satan's kingdom, so the terrible condition of the world gives the appearance that Satan has triumphed and the death of Christ has been almost in vain. That appearance does not mean Christ's death was in vain or that the final triumph of Christ's kingdom will fail. For Christ is carrying forward His work in the heavenly sanctuary, and the present wickedness and corruption was foretold to exist in the world in the last days, so seeing that fulfillment should increase faith in the final triumph and give courage to do appointed work.
The assurance that God has placed all things under Jesus' authority, leaving nothing outside His rule although that full dominion is not yet visible, rests on ample provisions made for us. It is meant to help keep hold of Christ and strengthen others who are struggling. Therefore suffering in a person's life does not prove hidden sin needing repentance. In every place and work believers should live in simplicity and true godliness, press close to Christ, and willingly be partakers with Christ in His sufferings so to be conformed to the image of Christ, since by tasting death for every man He became the Captain of salvation made perfect through sufferings to bring many sons unto glory.
The verse points to humanity's God-given dignity and intended exalted place, for people were created upright, with a nature allied to angels and an inheritance of eternal life. Through Christ those who resist temptation and break free from Satan's power can cooperate with God in restoring the moral image of God in humanity. It lays a solemn burden for the church to take up neglected duties in families and practice home religion. That work stirs backsliders and sinners to come forward, pray fervently, confess pride and backsliding and partaking of the spirit of the world, and determine to live a different life.