Angels as Gods, by the Rev. Thomas Timson 1845
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From The Angels of God; Their Nature, Character, Ranks and Ministerial Services
ANGELs being of a nature so excellent, and filling offices so exalted as we find in the kingdom of God, we might rationally expect that they would be described under Names and Titles corresponding to their dignified stations. Such, we perceive, is the case, both in the Old and the New Testaments.
Commentators, in all ages, have understood the apostles as intending angelic spirits in this remarkable language, the former originally addressed to the church at Colosse, and to the Christians of other cities in Asia Minor. It is clearly manifest too, especially from the context of the former passage, that however dignified and exalted, in their rank and employments, those lofty beings might be, the inspired apostle testifies, that they were all the creatures, as well as the servants of the Son of God, our Divine Redeemer.
Significant and expressive as the terms here employed may be regarded, they appear peculiarly appropriate; and there are several others, still more expressive, employed to designate angels, as they are found in different parts of the Bible. Our inquiries must, therefore, include all these titles; that we may be the better prepared to form correct and worthy conceptions of those glorious creatures of our God and Saviour.
GODS, (Hebrew elohim,) is a word several times applied to angels in the Scriptures. Hence the inspired Psalmist calls upon and admonishes the mightiest of created beings, to render cheerful and solemn homage to the Messiah—“Worship him, all ge gods.” Psalm xcvii. 7. Bishop Horne makes this comprehensive remark on this verse, “The last clause of our verse, ‘Worship him, all ye gods, declares the supremacy of Christ over all that are called gods, elohim in heaven and in the earth, who are enjoined to pay adoration to him, instead of claiming it for themselves.”
The apostle quotes this text, to illustrate the supereminent dignity of Christ; and refers it to the angels, and to the incarnation of the Son of God, and his human birth as Messiah, “When he bringeth in the first-begotten into the world, he saith, Let all the angels of God worship him.” Heb. i. 6. An inspired commentator, therefore, teaches us, that the “gods,” or elohim, in that Psalm, are angelic spirits. In like manner the Psalmist had previously employed the word in relation to angels and Messiah—“Thou hast made him a little lower than the angels.” Psalm viii. 5. In the Hebrew it is “a little lower than the elohim, or gods:” but our version of the Psalm is justified by the apostle, who quotes the passage thus, -“Thou hast made him a little lower than the angels.” Heb. ii. 7.
Perhaps it is only proper to remark, that the Hebrew word elohim, is not only one of the names of the blessed God, but the first time that sacred name occurs in the Bible, (Gen. i. 1); it is so rendered from the Hebrew word elohim; and though it is plural, it is joined to a singular verb, to inculcate, as many believe, the doctrine of the adorable Trinity.
But it will naturally be asked by many, Why are angels called “gods,” or elohim, in the Scriptures? To which it may be replied, that it appears to be on account of their power and authority, as the delegated administrators of the Divine government, in many particulars, in different parts of the world; as magistrates are appointed under kings, to execute justice in assigned districts of various kingdoms. Judges and magistrates are, therefore, called elohim, or gods; hence the Psalmist says, “God standeth in the congregation of the mighty, he judgeth among the gods.” Psalm lxxxii. 1. Rulers and judges are here intended, as is manifest from the following verses, “How long will ye judge unjustly, and accept the persons of the wicked? I have said, Ye are gods; and all of you shall die like men.” Verses 2, 6, 7. 3.
SONs of GOD, is a title given to angels—Job xxxviii. 7; probably to indicate, not only their near relation to God as their Creator, but their interest in his paternal care and affection, as their common Father. Hence, as the “morning stars” of creation, they “sang together, and shouted for joy,” on this world being called from chaotic darkness, and made to exhibit the forming hand of the Almighty Sovereign.
See also 125 Books on ANGELS & Angelology on DVDrom
Join my Facebook Group - For a list of all of my disks and ebooks (PDF and Amazon) click here
From The Angels of God; Their Nature, Character, Ranks and Ministerial Services
ANGELs being of a nature so excellent, and filling offices so exalted as we find in the kingdom of God, we might rationally expect that they would be described under Names and Titles corresponding to their dignified stations. Such, we perceive, is the case, both in the Old and the New Testaments.
Commentators, in all ages, have understood the apostles as intending angelic spirits in this remarkable language, the former originally addressed to the church at Colosse, and to the Christians of other cities in Asia Minor. It is clearly manifest too, especially from the context of the former passage, that however dignified and exalted, in their rank and employments, those lofty beings might be, the inspired apostle testifies, that they were all the creatures, as well as the servants of the Son of God, our Divine Redeemer.
Significant and expressive as the terms here employed may be regarded, they appear peculiarly appropriate; and there are several others, still more expressive, employed to designate angels, as they are found in different parts of the Bible. Our inquiries must, therefore, include all these titles; that we may be the better prepared to form correct and worthy conceptions of those glorious creatures of our God and Saviour.
GODS, (Hebrew elohim,) is a word several times applied to angels in the Scriptures. Hence the inspired Psalmist calls upon and admonishes the mightiest of created beings, to render cheerful and solemn homage to the Messiah—“Worship him, all ge gods.” Psalm xcvii. 7. Bishop Horne makes this comprehensive remark on this verse, “The last clause of our verse, ‘Worship him, all ye gods, declares the supremacy of Christ over all that are called gods, elohim in heaven and in the earth, who are enjoined to pay adoration to him, instead of claiming it for themselves.”
The apostle quotes this text, to illustrate the supereminent dignity of Christ; and refers it to the angels, and to the incarnation of the Son of God, and his human birth as Messiah, “When he bringeth in the first-begotten into the world, he saith, Let all the angels of God worship him.” Heb. i. 6. An inspired commentator, therefore, teaches us, that the “gods,” or elohim, in that Psalm, are angelic spirits. In like manner the Psalmist had previously employed the word in relation to angels and Messiah—“Thou hast made him a little lower than the angels.” Psalm viii. 5. In the Hebrew it is “a little lower than the elohim, or gods:” but our version of the Psalm is justified by the apostle, who quotes the passage thus, -“Thou hast made him a little lower than the angels.” Heb. ii. 7.
Perhaps it is only proper to remark, that the Hebrew word elohim, is not only one of the names of the blessed God, but the first time that sacred name occurs in the Bible, (Gen. i. 1); it is so rendered from the Hebrew word elohim; and though it is plural, it is joined to a singular verb, to inculcate, as many believe, the doctrine of the adorable Trinity.
But it will naturally be asked by many, Why are angels called “gods,” or elohim, in the Scriptures? To which it may be replied, that it appears to be on account of their power and authority, as the delegated administrators of the Divine government, in many particulars, in different parts of the world; as magistrates are appointed under kings, to execute justice in assigned districts of various kingdoms. Judges and magistrates are, therefore, called elohim, or gods; hence the Psalmist says, “God standeth in the congregation of the mighty, he judgeth among the gods.” Psalm lxxxii. 1. Rulers and judges are here intended, as is manifest from the following verses, “How long will ye judge unjustly, and accept the persons of the wicked? I have said, Ye are gods; and all of you shall die like men.” Verses 2, 6, 7. 3.
SONs of GOD, is a title given to angels—Job xxxviii. 7; probably to indicate, not only their near relation to God as their Creator, but their interest in his paternal care and affection, as their common Father. Hence, as the “morning stars” of creation, they “sang together, and shouted for joy,” on this world being called from chaotic darkness, and made to exhibit the forming hand of the Almighty Sovereign.
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