Angelos: A Word Study in Biblical and Theological Contexts

Introduction

The word angelos (Greek: ἄγγελος), meaning "messenger," is a term rich in biblical and theological
significance. Used in both secular and sacred contexts, angelos refers to one who is sent to deliver a
message. In the Bible, it frequently denotes supernatural beings who serve as messengers of God,
though it can also describe human envoys. This essay examines the lexical, biblical, and theological
dimensions of angelos, emphasizing its usage across the Old and New Testaments. References to
lexicons, dictionaries, and critical commentaries will provide a comprehensive analysis of its meaning
and implications.

Lexical Analysis

The term angelos derives from the root verb angellō (ἀγγέλλω), meaning "to announce" or "to
proclaim." The Liddell-Scott Greek-English Lexicon defines angelos as "messenger" and notes its
usage in classical Greek to describe both human and divine messengers.1 This dual meaning persists
in biblical texts, where the context determines whether angelos refers to heavenly beings or human
messengers.

The BDAG Lexicon (3rd ed.) provides a nuanced definition, categorizing angelos as:

1. A supernatural being dispatched by God to deliver divine messages or execute His will.

2. A human agent sent with an authoritative message, such as prophets or apostles.2

In the Septuagint (LXX), angelos translates the Hebrew word mal’ak (‫)ַמְלָאְך‬, which also means
"messenger." This linguistic continuity underscores the consistency of the term's meaning across the
biblical canon.

Old Testament Usage

In the Old Testament, angelos is commonly used to describe divine messengers who communicate
God's will to humanity. For example, in Genesis 18–19, angelos refers to the heavenly beings who
visit Abraham and later warn Lot of Sodom's impending destruction. These appearances highlight the
mediatory role of angels in divine-human interactions.

The LXX uses angelos extensively to translate mal’ak, such as in Exodus 23:20, where God promises
to send His "angel" (angelos) to guide Israel. The term also appears in narratives involving the "Angel
of the Lord," a figure often interpreted as a theophany or pre-incarnate Christ.3

New Testament Usage

In the New Testament, angelos appears over 170 times, predominantly in the Gospels, Acts, and
Revelation. Its usage encompasses both supernatural beings and human messengers:

1. Supernatural Beings:

o Angelos frequently refers to heavenly beings who carry out God's purposes. For
example, in Luke 1:26, the angel Gabriel announces the birth of Jesus to Mary.
 Similarly, angels minister to Jesus after His temptation (Matthew 4:11) and proclaim
His resurrection (Luke 24:4-7).

o The eschatological role of angels is emphasized in Revelation, where they serve as

agents of divine judgment and worship leaders before God's throne (Revelation 5:11;
7:11).

2. Human Messengers:

o In some contexts, angelos denotes human messengers. For instance, in Matthew

11:10, Jesus refers to John the Baptist as the "messenger" (angelos) who prepares
the way for the Messiah. This usage illustrates the flexibility of the term in describing
both human and divine agents.

Theological Implications

Theologically, angelos underscores the communicative nature of God, who uses messengers to reveal
His will and accomplish His purposes. Several themes emerge from the study of angelos:

1. Angels as Servants of God:

o Angels are portrayed as obedient servants who execute God's commands without
hesitation. Their activities, such as delivering messages, protecting believers, and
enacting divine judgment, reveal God's sovereign control over creation.

2. Mediation and Revelation:

o The mediatory role of angels highlights their function as intermediaries between God
and humanity. This is particularly evident in the annunciation narratives, where
angels announce significant events in salvation history, such as the births of John the
Baptist and Jesus.

3. Human and Divine Messengers:

o The dual usage of angelos for human and divine messengers reflects the continuity
of God's communicative methods. Whether through prophets, apostles, or angels,
God consistently employs messengers to convey His word.

4. Eschatology and Worship:

o In Revelation, angels play a central role in the unfolding of eschatological events.

Their worship of God serves as a model for human worship, emphasizing the
holiness and majesty of the Creator.

Contemporary Relevance

The study of angelos offers practical insights for contemporary believers. Angels, as depicted in
Scripture, remind Christians of God's providential care and His willingness to intervene in human
history. While the New Testament cautions against angel worship (Colossians 2:18), it encourages
believers to acknowledge their role as servants of God who minister to His people (Hebrews 1:14).
Additionally, the term's application to human messengers challenges Christians to see themselves as
"ambassadors for Christ" (2 Corinthians 5:20), tasked with proclaiming the gospel and serving as
representatives of God's kingdom.

Conclusion

The word angelos encapsulates the profound relationship between God and His creation, serving as a
bridge between the divine and the human. Its lexical, biblical, and theological dimensions reveal a
multifaceted concept that enriches our understanding of God's communicative and redemptive
work. Whether describing heavenly beings or human messengers, angelos testifies to the centrality
of God's message in the biblical narrative and its enduring significance for believers today.

Footnotes

1. Liddell-Scott Greek-English Lexicon, Oxford University Press, 1996, p. 150.

2. Danker, Frederick W., A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early
Christian Literature (BDAG), 3rd ed., University of Chicago Press, 2000, p. 8.

3. Köstenberger, Andreas J., The Theology of John’s Gospel and Letters: The Word, the Christ,
the Son of God, Zondervan, 2009, p. 256.

References

 Danker, Frederick W., A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early
Christian Literature (BDAG), 3rd ed., University of Chicago Press, 2000.

 Köstenberger, Andreas J., The Theology of John’s Gospel and Letters: The Word, the Christ,
the Son of God, Zondervan, 2009.

 Liddell, Henry G., and Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon, revised and augmented by
Henry Stuart Jones, Oxford University Press, 1996.

 Marshall, I. Howard, The Gospel of Luke: A Commentary on the Greek Text, Eerdmans, 1978.

 Moo, Douglas J., The Epistle to the Romans, NICNT, Eerdmans, 1996.

 Wright, N.T., Paul and the Faithfulness of God, SPCK, 2013.