Did the Balrog work for Sauron?

The Balrogs were originally the servants of Morgoth in the First Age, of whom, Sauron was also his servant. Without the One Ring, Sauron would not have had the ability to dominate a will as strong as a Balrog. As such, the Balrog acted just as he did in the story: in accordance with a “common evil” against “good”.

Was the Balrog more powerful than Sauron?

Yes, Sauron was more powerful than the Balrogs. The reason is fairly straightforward: Sauron was a Maiar, the equivalent of an angelic being, who was a helper to Iluvatar. Morgoth, Sauron’s master, was an actual god -perhaps best understood as a Maiar of the highest level.

Are balrogs Maia?

Balrogs, also known as the Valaraukar, were Maiar that were seduced and corrupted by Melkor into his service.

Was the Balrog originally stronger than Sauron?

The Balrog was not just any fallen angel. It was a warrior demon with the majority of its original power still intact. Sauron, while likely originally stronger than the Balrog, was not a warrior. He was a commander.

Why didn’t Saruman get the ring when he faced the Balrog?

Because when he was forced to face the Balrog, is was as dire a situation as the ring being in front of Saruman or Sauron would have been. The Balrog was not just any fallen angel. It was a warrior demon with the majority of its original power still intact.

Why was Gandalf so afraid of the Balrog?

So when Gandalf heard that a Balrog still lurks in the depth of Moria, of course he would be afraid. A Balrog is a terror of the First Age. And something that was a threat in the First Age would be an unstoppable terror in the Third.

Why would Gandalf be a fool not to be afraid of Sauron?

Gandalf would be a fool not to fear this enemy. Gandalf understood he could no longer play the “Wise and weary old man”. Gandalf believed that those who attempt to counter evil with greater amounts of violence come closer to becoming that evil. But in this situation he has no choice but to roll up his sleeves and throw down.