¹⁶ For assuredly He does not give help to angels, but He gives help to the descendant of Abraham.

Taking hold of, with a focus on healing help, that is literally what this passage is about. The KJV renders this “He took not on him the nature of angels, but he took on him the seed of Abraham.” That makes it sound like an incarnation passage, as does the next verse (17). However, most other translations covey perhaps more accurately the idea that God does not take hold of angels to help them, but rather He takes hold of the descendant of Abraham to help him. Salvation is in view, rather than incarnation. This help, i.e. salvation, is the purpose for which He became incarnate.

Here we have an important insight into the nature and character of the angels and demons. We understand from other passages (see Isaiah 14:12-15, Rev 12:4, etc.) that God evidently created the angels with freedom to choose to rebel against Him. Satan, who was numbered among the rebel spirit-beings, was a magnificent angel who fell because of his pride. This fall is apparently irreversible, for God provides no assistance in remedying that situation. There is no provision for redemption of angels. In fact, there is no biblical evidence that any of the fallen angels even desired restoration at all.

The prophet, in referring to Satan, put it this way, “Thus says the Lord God, ‘You had the seal of perfection, full of wisdom and perfect in beauty…You were blameless in your ways from the day you were created until unrighteousness was found in you…Your heart was lifted up because of your beauty; you corrupted your wisdom by reason of your splendor. I cast you to the ground…’” (Ezekiel 28:12, 15, 17). Now there is no help for Satan or his followers, the ones we call demons.

The “good angels,” the ones that did not fall and continued to be faithful, humble servants of God, likewise are not helped by God, for they need no help, in the sense that they need no salvation—they are unfallen beings.

But, not so with us humans. Although we too, are fallen, God does help us. He takes hold of us, not to condemn, but to save and to sanctify. Now the help provided by God is for the “seed of Abraham.” If incarnation were in view, then this would refer to God taking hold of human form in the person of Jesus. But, if help is in view, then the spiritual seed of Abraham is the focus. Either way, God’s dealing here is with humans and not fallen angels.