The Scofield Bible Commentary, by Cyrus Ingerson Scofield, [1917], at sacred-texts.com
angels
Angel, Summary:
Angel, "messenger," is used of God, of men, and of an order of created spiritual beings whose chief attributes are strength and wisdom. (Sa2 14:20); (Psa 103:20); (Psa 104:4).
In the Old Testament, the expression "the angel of the Lord"; (sometimes "of God"); usually implies the presence of Deity in angelic form. (Gen 16:1-13); (Gen 21:17-19); (Gen 22:11-16); (Gen 31:11-13); (Exo 3:2-4); (Jdg 2:1); (Jdg 6:12-16); (Jdg 13:3-22).
(See Scofield) - (Mal 3:1).
The word "angel" is used of men in; (Luk 7:24); (Jam 2:25); (Rev 1:20); (Rev 2:1); (Rev 2:8); (Rev 2:12); (Rev 2:18); (Rev 3:1); (Rev 3:7); (Rev 3:14).
In (Rev 8:3-5), Christ is evidently meant.
Sometimes, angel is used of the spirit of man. (Mat 18:10); (Act 12:15). Though angels are spirits; (Psa 104:4); (Heb 1:14); power is given them to become visible in the semblance of human form. (Gen 19:1).
Compare (Gen 19:5); (Exo 3:2); (Num 22:22-31); (Jdg 2:1); (Jdg 6:11); (Jdg 6:22); (Jdg 13:3); (Jdg 13:6); (Ch1 21:16); (Ch1 21:20); (Mat 1:20); (Luk 1:26); (Joh 20:12); (Act 7:30); (Act 12:7); (Act 12:8); etc.).
The word is always used in the masculine gender, though sex, in the human sense, is never ascribed to angels. (Mat 22:30); (Mar 12:25).
They are exceedingly numerous. (Mat 26:53); (Heb 12:22); (Rev 5:11); (Psa 68:17).
Their power is inconceivable. (Kg2 19:35).
Their place is about the throne of God. (Rev 5:11); (Rev 7:11).
Their relation to the believer is that of "ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation", and this ministry has reference largely to the physical safety and well-being of believers. (Kg1 19:5); (Psa 34:7); (Psa 91:11); (Dan 6:22); (Mat 2:13); (Mat 2:19); (Mat 4:11); (Luk 22:43); (Act 5:19); (Act 12:7-10).
From (Heb 1:14); (Mat 18:10); (Psa 91:11), it would seem that this care for the heirs of salvation begins in infancy and continues through life.
The angels observe us; (Co1 4:9); (Eph 3:10); (Ecc 5:6); a fact which should influence conduct.
They receive departing saints. (Luk 16:22).
Man is made "a little lower than the angels," and in incarnation, Christ took "for a little "time" this lower place (Psa 8:4); (Psa 8:5); (Heb 2:6); (Heb 2:9) that He might lift the believer into His own sphere above angels. (Heb 2:9); (Heb 2:10).
The angels are to accompany Christ in His second advent. (Mat 25:31).
To them will be committed the preparation of the judgment of the nations. (Mat 13:30); (Mat 13:39); (Mat 13:41); (Mat 13:42).
(See Scofield) - (Mat 25:32).
The kingdom-age is not to be subject to angels, but to Christ and those for whom He was made a little lower than the angels. (Heb 2:5).
An archangel, Michael, is mentioned as having a particular relation to Israel and to the resurrections. (Dan 10:13); (Dan 10:21); (Dan 12:1); (Dan 12:2); (Jde 1:9); (Th1 4:16).
The only other angel whose name is revealed Gabriel, was employed in the most distinguished services. (Dan 8:16); (Dan 9:21); (Luk 1:19); (Luk 1:26).
Fallen angels. Two classes of these are mentioned:
(1) "The angels which kept not their first estate place, but left their own habitation," are "chained under darkness," awaiting judgment. (Pe2 2:4); (Jde 1:6); (Co1 6:3); (Joh 5:22).
(See Scofield) - (Gen 6:4).
(2) The angels who have Satan (Gen 3:1) as leader.
(See Scofield) - (Rev 20:10).
The origin of these is nowhere explicitly revealed. They may be identical with the demons.
(See Scofield) - (Mat 7:22).
For Satan and his angels everlasting fire is prepared. (Mat 25:41); (Rev 20:10).
world
(Greek, "oikoumenē", means "inhabited earth").
(See Scofield) - (Luk 2:1).
righteousness
(See Scofield) - (Jo1 3:7).
iniquity
Lawlessness.
(See Scofield) - (Rom 3:23).
salvation
(See Scofield) - (Rom 1:16).