ANGEL
What is the Biblical Definition of an Angel?
The English "angel" is an anglicized form of the Greek aggelos (pronounced angelos). The term signifies a "messenger."
The wordAggelos is used in several ways in the Scriptures.
The word
- It commonly denotes a heavenly order of created beings (Psa. 148:2, 5), who are by nature "spirit beings." These creatures carry out the will of God on behalf of his people (Heb. 1:14). In Bible times, angels were visible on occasion (Acts 10:3; 12:7ff). Such manifestations are not evident today because miraculous events have ceased (1 Cor. 13:8-10).
- The word
aggelos may be used for a human messenger who serves as an envoy. John the Baptist, for example, was God's "messenger" (Mt. 11:10; Mk. 1:2). - The term
aggelos was also used figuratively, representing a providentially permitted physical sickness (2 Cor. 12:7). - The
aggelos of the churches of Asia may have been messengers who were in contact with John while the apostle was imprisoned on the island of Patmos (Rev. 1:20).
