For unto the angels hath he not put in subjection the world to come, whereof we speak.
For - confirming Hebrews 2:2-3, that the new covenant was spoken by One higher than the mediators of the old covenant; namely, angels. Greek order, 'Not to angels hath He,' etc.
The world to come. He has subjected to angels (as regards ministry only) the existing world-the Old Testament dispensation (then still existing in its framework, Hebrews 2:2), the political kingdoms (Daniel 4:13; Daniel 10:13; Daniel 10:20-21; Daniel 12:1), the natural elements (Revelation 9:11; Revelation 16:4), and even individuals (Matthew 18:10); but not so "the world to come" - the new dispensation brought in by, and subject to Christ, beginning in grace, to be completed in glory. It is called "to come," as when subjected to Christ by the divine decree it was as yet future, and is still so to us as to its consummation. The subjecting of all things to Christ (Psalms 8:1-9) is still "to come." From the Old Testament standpoint, which looks prophetically forward to the New Testament (and the Old Testament ritual was in force then, and continued until its forcible abrogation by the destruction of Jerusalem), it is "the world to come." Paul, addressing Jews, appropriately calls it so, according to their conventional view of it. We still pray, "Thy kingdom come," for its manifestation in glory is yet future. 'This world,' in contrast, expresses the world's present fallen condition (Ephesians 2:2). Believers belong not to it, but by faith rise in spirit to "the world to come," making it a present, though internal, reality. In the world to come man and the Son of man, man's Head, are to be supreme. Hence, greater reverence was paid to angels in the Old Testament than is permitted in the New. For man's nature is exalted in Christ, so that angels are our "fellow-servants" (Revelation 22:9). In their ministrations they stand on a different footing toward us from that in the Old Testament. We are "brethren" of Christ; which angels are not (Hebrews 2:10-12; Hebrews 2:16).