Bible Strands
Hebrews 1:14
Are not the angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The author of Hebrews addresses Jewish believers under pressure to return to the Mosaic system, at the point of demonstrating Christ's superiority over the angels who mediated the law.
The words — λειτουργικὰ (leitourgikà), "ministering," from the root of "liturgy," denotes official public service rather than casual assistance; it is the same term used for the temple cult.
The thread — Psalm 103:20 describes angels as "mighty in strength who carry out His word," and Psalm 91:11 says God commands them to guard the righteous in all their ways.
Why it lands — The rhetorical question forces an affirmative answer: angels are servants, not lords, and the inheritors of salvation are the ones being served. The reader is asked to stop elevating the servants above the One who sent them.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?
Cross-references
- Psalms 34:7 The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear Him, and he delivers them.
- Psalms 103:20 Bless the LORD, all His angels mighty in strength who carry out His word, who hearken to the voice of His command.
- Psalms 91:11 For He will command His angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.
- Daniel 6:22 My God sent His angel and shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, for I was found innocent in His sight, and I have done no wrong against you, O king.”
- Matthew 18:10 See that you do not look down on any of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of My Father in heaven.
- Acts 27:23 For just last night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood beside me
- Acts 5:19 But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the doors of the jail and brought them out, saying,
- Acts 10:3 One day at about the ninth hour, he had a clear vision of an angel of God who came to him and said, “Cornelius!”
- Luke 1:19 “I am Gabriel,” replied the angel. “I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news.
- Acts 12:7 Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He tapped Peter on the side and woke him up, saying, “Get up quickly.” And the chains fell off his wrists.