ἀγγελία – Pronunciation Guide: ang-el-ee’-ah (emphasis on ‘ee’)
Basic Definition
Strong’s G31: A message, announcement, or proclamation, specifically referring to a divinely ordained communication. In biblical context, it often carries the weight of an authoritative declaration of spiritual truth meant to be both heard and heeded.
Word Study
- Part of Speech: Feminine Noun
- Root: From ἄγγελος (angelos), meaning messenger
- Etymology: Proto-Indo-European *h₂eng- (“member, messenger”)
Morphology:
- ἀγγελία – message, announcement (nominative singular)
- ἀγγελίας – of the message (genitive singular)
- ἀγγελίᾳ – to/for the message (dative singular)
- ἀγγελίαν – message (accusative singular)
Word Origin & History
The word ἀγγελία emerges from classical Greek where it held significant administrative and diplomatic importance. In ancient Athens, it was commonly used for official proclamations and diplomatic communications between city-states. Herodotus frequently employed this term in his Histories when describing messages of crucial political or military significance.
The transition from secular to sacred usage mirrors the development of many biblical terms, where everyday language was invested with deeper spiritual meaning. The Septuagint translators chose this word to translate Hebrew terms related to divine proclamation, setting the stage for its New Testament usage.
Biblical Usage
In the New Testament, ἀγγελία appears most prominently in the Johannine literature, where it takes on a distinctly theological character. The word transforms from a general announcement to a specific declaration of divine truth, particularly concerning the nature of God and His relationship with humanity.
Key Passages:
- 1 John 1:5 – “This is the message (ἀγγελία) we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God is Light.”
- 1 John 3:11 – “For this is the message (ἀγγελία) which you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.”
Cultural Insights
In the Greco-Roman world, the arrival of an ἀγγελία often meant the difference between war and peace, life and death. Official messengers would run great distances to deliver these proclamations, sometimes collapsing from exhaustion upon arrival – a powerful image of the urgency and importance of the message itself.
Theological Significance
The use of ἀγγελία in 1 John emphasizes that the gospel message isn’t merely informational but transformational. When John declares that “God is Light,” he’s not simply making a theological statement but announcing a reality that demands response.
This word choice underscores that divine truth isn’t meant to be merely contemplated but proclaimed and lived out. It carries the authority of heaven itself, demanding not just mental assent but life transformation.
Personal Application
When we encounter an ἀγγελία in Scripture, we’re not just reading ancient text but receiving a living message that demands response. Just as an official proclamation in ancient times required action, so too does God’s message to us require more than passive acceptance.
Related Words
- ἄγγελος (angelos) – messenger, angel – See G32
- εὐαγγέλιον (euangelion) – good news, gospel – See G2098
- κήρυγμα (kerygma) – proclamation, preaching – See G2782
Did You Know?
- The word ἀγγελία shares its root with our English word “angel,” both referring to the bearing of messages
- In ancient Greek theaters, important announcements were preceded by three trumpet blasts, signifying the gravity of an ἀγγελία
- Modern Greek still uses ἀγγελία for important announcements and news articles
Remember This
An ἀγγελία isn’t just information to know—it’s divine truth to transform your life.
