English Standard Version
Hebrews 1:14
14Are they not all ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation?
Hebrews 1:14 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?
- New International Version (NIV)Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?
- New King James Version (NKJV)Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation?
- New Living Translation (NLT)Therefore, angels are only servants—spirits sent to care for people who will inherit salvation.
Context of Hebrews 1:14
12like a robe you will roll them up, like a garment they will be changed. But you are the same, and your years will have no end." 13And to which of the angels has he ever said, "Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet"? Are they not all ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation?
Read all of Hebrews 1Hebrews 1:14 word by word
οὐχὶ πάντες εἰσὶν λειτουργικὰ πνεύματα εἰς διακονίαν ἀποστελλόμενα διὰ τοὺς μέλλοντας κληρονομεῖν σωτηρίαν;¶Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- Are theyεἰμίeimi · to beG1510
- notοὐχίouchi · not!G3780
- allπᾶςpas · allG3956
- ministeringλειτουργικόςleitourgikos · ministeringG3010
- spiritsπνεῦμαpneuma · spirit/breath: spiritG4151
- sent forthἀποστέλλωapostellō · to sendG649
- toεἰςeis · towardG1519
- ministerδιακονίαdiakonia · serviceG1248
- forδιάdia · through/because ofG1223
- them whoὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
- shall beμέλλωmellō · to ensueG3195
- heirsκληρονομέωklēronomeō · to inheritG2816
- of salvationσωτηρίαsōtēria · salvationG4991
Cross-references for Hebrews 1:14
- Hebrews 8:6But as it is, Christ has obtained a ministry that is as much more excellent than the old as the covenant he mediates is better, since it is enacted on better promises.
- Hebrews 10:11And every priest stands daily at his service, offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins.
- Psalms 103:20Bless the Lord, O you his angels, you mighty ones who do his word, obeying the voice of his word!
- Daniel 3:28Nebuchadnezzar answered and said, "Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who has sent his angel and delivered his servants, who trusted in him, and set aside the king's command, and yielded up their bodies rather than serve and worship any god except their own God.
- Daniel 7:10A stream of fire issued and came out from before him; a thousand thousands served him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him; the court sat in judgment, and the books were opened.
- Matthew 18:10"See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels always see the face of my Father who is in heaven.
- Luke 1:19And the angel answered him, "I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I was sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news.
- Luke 2:9And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear.
- Acts 13:2While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them."
- Romans 13:6For because of this you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God, attending to this very thing.
- Romans 15:16to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles in the priestly service of the gospel of God, so that the offering of the Gentiles may be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.
- 2 Corinthians 9:12For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God.
- Philippians 2:17Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all.
- 1 Kings 22:19And Micaiah said, "Therefore hear the word of the Lord: I saw the Lord sitting on his throne, and all the host of heaven standing beside him on his right hand and on his left;
- Job 1:6Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came among them.
- Psalms 104:4he makes his messengers winds, his ministers a flaming fire.
Commentaries on Hebrews 1:14
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 14Are they not all ministering spirits - That is, They are all ministering spirits; for the Hebrews often express the strongest affirmative by an interrogation. All the angels, even those of the highest order, are employed by their Creator to serve those who believe in Christ Jesus. What these services are, and how performed, it would be impossible to state. Much has been written on the subject, partly founded on Scripture, and partly on conjecture. They…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 14Are they not all - There is not one of them that is elevated to the high rank of the Redeemer. Even the most exalted angel is employed in the comparatively humble office of a ministering spirit appointed to aid the heirs of salvation. “Ministering spirits.” A “ministering” spirit is one that is employed to execute the will of God. The proper meaning of the word here - ̀ leitourgika- (whence our word “liturgy”) is, “pertaining to public service,” or “the…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 4-14Verses 4-14 Many Jews had a superstitious or idolatrous respect for angels, because they had received the law and other tidings of the Divine will by their ministry. They looked upon them as mediators between God and men, and some went so far as to pay them a kind of religious homage or worship. Thus it was necessary that the apostle should insist, not only on Christ's being the Creator of all things, and therefore of angels themselves, but as being the…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 14Are not the angels ministering spirits: The author repeats his conclusion. God sends angels to help his people, who will receive salvation at the end of time (see Hebrews 9:28).Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1414. ministering spirits--referring to He 1:7, "spirits ... ministers." They are incorporeal spirits, as God is, but ministering to Him as inferiors. sent forth--present participle: "being sent forth" continually, as their regular service in all ages. to minister--Greek, "unto (that is, 'for') ministry." for them--Greek, "on account of the." Angels are sent forth on ministrations to God and Christ, not primarily to men, though for the good of "those who…Read the comment
Topics related to Hebrews 1:14
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Hebrews 1
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Illustrated New Testament
- Burkitt’s Expository Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Family Bible Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Luther’s Commentary on Selected Bible Passages
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- The People’s New Testament
- Robertson’s Word Pictures
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
English Standard Version — © 2001 Crossway Bibles
Commentaries