A question has arisen from our discussion in last week’s Bible class - Do angels have a gender?
Angels are spiritual beings created by God (Ps. 148:2, 5). The word angel means “messenger.” They are described as “ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation” (Heb. 1:14).
As spiritual beings, angels are invisible to human eyes. However, when people were allowed to see angels, the Bible always describes them as men.
- The angels visiting Abraham and Lot were seen as men (Gen. 18:2; 19:1, 5).
- The angel Gabriel stood before Daniel “having the appearance of a man” (Dan. 8:15-16).
- The angels (Matt. 28:1-7) who announced the resurrection of Jesus to the women at the empty tomb are described as men (Mark 16:5-7; Luke 24:4-7).
- The angels who appeared at the Lord’s ascension are described as men (Acts 1:9-11).
- The only two angels known by name are Gabriel and Michael – masculine names.
Angels are never described as women or children – always men. So, do angels have a gender? Yes, in one sense, they do. As far as has been revealed to us, angels are males.
However, there is another passage that needs to be considered regarding the gender of angels. Jesus spoke the following words about angels in answering the Sadducees’ challenge regarding the resurrection. “For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels of God in heaven” (Matt. 22:30).
The purpose of gender in this physical realm is to allow for reproduction. “So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. Then God blessed them, and God said to them, ‘Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it…’” (Gen. 1:27-28).
According to Jesus, there is no reproduction in the spiritual realm. Angels do not marry or reproduce. As far as we know, all angels are males. When we are raised from the dead and enter heaven, we will not marry or reproduce. Gender roles will have served their purpose and, in essence, will no longer exist.