“Angel(s)” in the New Testament

The English translation “Angel” in the New Testament is always a rendering of ἄγγελος (angelos); this is not a true translation—it merely anglicizes the Greek letters into English. This same Greek word is used to translate “messenger” (מַלְאָךְ, mal'akh) in the Old Testament. A human or heavenly messenger in the Greek Bible is ἄγγελος (angelos), whereas we (in English) distinguish “angel” and “messenger.” New Testament uses of ἄγγελος (angelos) are:

• “[Human] messenger, envoy, one who is sent.”

• “Heavenly spirits” of whom some are “guardian [messengers]” (Thayer, Greek-English Lexicon, 5).

New Testament “messengers” (good or obedient angels) are called:

• The angel

• His angels

• The Angel of the Lord

• Angel of God

• Angel of the church

• Holy angels

• An archangel

• My angel

• Elect angels

The good angels are sometimes further described as “mighty,” “in heaven,” “from heaven,” or “from the temple in Heaven.” New Testament messengers may be sinful or obedient. Three times, “his angels” is used in conjunction with the Adversary (or Satan; called the ancient Serpent Rev 12:7–9 or the Devil). Bad or sinful “messengers” are:

• An angel of light (Satan)

• Angels that sinned

• Angels that left positions of authority

• Angel of the Abyss

Sometimes “messenger” is neither “angel” or human but an illness. Satan has “messengers” (Rev 12:9; 2 Cor 12:7) but is never named directly as an Old Testament or New Testament “angel.”