Howdy Wolfe Georges and others,
Greetings again. I am still convinced as per my previous Post #2 that the plural in Genesis 1:26 includes the angels. Paul quotes Psalm 8:5 in the following:
Hebrews 2:7 (KJV): "Thou madest him a little lower than the angels; thou crownedst him with glory and honour, and didst set him over the works of thy hands:"
This confirms that the word "Elohim" in Psalm 8:5 has the range to include the angels and this endorses the KJV translation of Psalm 8:5 "angels" for the word "Elohim" usually translated "God". As David is commenting on Genesis 1:26 this is then a Divine commentary that "Elohim" in Psalm 8:5 and hence also "Elohim" translated "God" in Genesis 1:26 includes the angels. God involved the angels in the creation of man, but any action on their part would involve the power and wisdom from God.
In what sense could it be said that man was made lower than the angels? Did God when he created man in his image and after his likeness make man lower than God Himself only, or also lower than the angels? It is obvious that man was lower than the angels because Adam was created with the possibility that if he disobeyed he would die. Man did sin, and he was sentenced to die. Those that are found worthy will be resurrected and in this respect will be equal with the angels.
Luke 20:35-36 (KJV): "35 But they which shall be accounted worthy to obtain that world, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry, nor are given in marriage: 36 Neither can they die any more: for they are equal unto the angels; and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection."
There are other aspects in which Adam and Eve were not equal to the angels. The very prohibited tree was an evidence that Adam and Eve when created were oblivious to a knowledge of good and evil, while God and the angels knew good and evil.
Genesis 3:3-5 (KJV): "3 But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die. 4 And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: 5 For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil."
Genesis 3:22-23 (KJV): "22 And the LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever: 23 Therefore the LORD God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from whence he was taken."
Please note "gods" Genesis 3:5 is again "Elohim" and some versions translate this as "God". This makes better sense when we accept the range of "Elohim" to include the angels.
Adam and Eve grasped at equality with the angels, and failed to achieve equality, not only in character, but also because they were forbidden access to the tree of life and were cast out of the garden. But the faithful will be given equality with the angels, if they through the gospel seek to be transformed unto the likeness of the character of God revealed through Christ.
1 John 3:1-3 (KJV): "1 Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. 2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. 3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure."
Psalm 17:15 (KJV): "As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness."
Kind regards
Trevor