Guardian Angels

Mike Johnson

There are various viewpoints regarding the assignment of a guardian angel. Some feel every person is assigned an angel at birth, while others believe only children and believers are allotted guardian angels but only while remaining faithful.

The concept of each person having an assigned guardian angel, or something akin to it, was taught as far back as ancient Babylon and Persia. Additionally, the Jews held this belief in biblical times. In Catholicism today, the belief in guardian angels is also taught, and many other denominations also hold this viewpoint. This belief even dates back to a group commonly referred to as “The Church Fathers,” which refers to early Christians who wrote during the first few centuries after the establishment of the church. For example, Origen (an early Christian philosopher and theologian educated in Alexandria, Egypt) wrote in the third century that each person has a guardian angel for as long as he remains faithful. This angel has the power to protect the person from evil. He said,

Every believer—although the humblest in the church—is said to be attended by an angel, who the Savior declares always beholds the face of God the Father. Now, this angel has the purpose of being his guardian. So if that person is rendered unworthy by his lack of obedience, the angel of God is said to be taken from him. And then that part of him—the part belonging to his human nature—is torn away from the divine part. And it is assigned a place along with the unbelievers. For it has not faithfully observed the admonitions of the angel assigned to it by God. (qtd. in Bercot 17).

Another writer, Methodius c. 290, states it precisely: “We have learned from the inspired writings that all who are born — even if it is through adultery — are committed to guardian angels” (qtd. in Bercot 18).

Do we each have an assigned guardian angel who watches over and protects us today? The answer to any angel question must come from the Scriptures, our only reliable guide (2 Tim. 3:16-17). Uninspired writings, stories, and opinions are not dependable.

To begin with, it is clear that angels have encouraged, guarded, protected, and rescued God’s people (Ex. 14:19, 23:20-23, 32:34, 33:2; Acts 12:11, 21-23; Acts 27:23-24). The question, then, is not whether angels engage in this activity, but whether people have a particular angel assigned to them to perform this work on their behalf.   Consider some passages often used to justify the idea of a personally assigned guardian angel.

A foremost passage used in the Old Testament to support the position is Psalm 34:7, which reads, “The angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear Him, and delivers them.” In this acrostic psalm, David magnifies and exalts God. David was undoubtedly protected by God when Saul was trying to kill him. Angels defend God’s people as a group and as individuals. However, the passage does not suggest that God assigns an individual angel to each person.  Further, this verse refers to “the angel of the Lord” and possibility refers to an pre-incarnate appearance of Christ (Gen. 16:7-13; 22:10-18). Consider the following comments by Quertermous:

If that is the case here, then Psalm 34:7 refers to Christ and would have no reference to ordinary angels at all, much less guardian angels. However, assuming that the verse refers to an ordinary angel, as most commentators seem to believe, it still does not teach that God assigns an angel to each believer, child, or individual (259).

Another passage cited is Psalm 91 11-12. “For He shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways. In their hands they shall bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone.” Satan quoted most of this when tempting Jesus in the wilderness and misapplied it (Lk. 4:10-11). This passage is very comforting as it pertains to God’s protection of His people. However, it does not teach the concept of a guardian angel for each person. In fact, the writer says God would give a plurality of angels the responsibility of keeping the one who trusts in him.

Perhaps the primary passage in the Bible used to teach that we have guardian angels today is Matthew 18:10, which warns, “Take heed that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that in heaven their angels always see the face of My Father who is in heaven.”  When speaking of the “little ones,” Jesus refers to their angels in heaven; however, this verse does not prove that every person has an assigned guardian angel.

To begin with, in this context, the disciples want to know who would be the greatest in the kingdom. They misunderstood the nature of the kingdom Christ was going to establish, thinking it would be a physical one instead of a spiritual one. Their attitude displayed the antitheses of what would identify true greatness in Christ’s kingdom, which is humility (cf. Matthew 20:20-28). In Matthew 18:1-5, after the disciples posed the question, Jesus said that to enter the kingdom of heaven, one must be as a little child. In verses 4-5, He said, “Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me.”  In verse 6, He switches the meaning of little children to refer to those who believe and emphasizes the seriousness of causing these disciples to stumble or sin. Then in verse 10, Jesus says not to “despise these little ones.”  After that, He explains, “in heaven their angels always see the face of My Father who is in heaven” (10b). To cause these disciples to sin was a very serious matter (cf. Mt. 18:6), as their angels stood in the presence of God. Consider the following quote from John Gill:

And our Lord’s argument is, that if such excellent creatures as the angels in heaven, who are continually favoured with being in the presence of Christ’s heavenly father, honoured with so high a station, as always to stand before him, as ministers of his; if these are the guardians of these little ones, if they are committed to their care, and they have the oversight of them, then they ought not to be despised: and besides, since the angels that have the care of them are so near the throne, it should deter everyone from having their charge in contempt, or doing any injury to them; since they are capable of lodging accusations and complaints against them; and, when leave is given, have power of executing the sorest judgments upon men.

First, these verses do establish the fact that Christ believed in angels. If angels do not exist, then His argument would be without merit. Next, the verses also show a connection between disciples and angels. But does verse 10 mean everyone has a particular guardian angel assigned to them? Although this viewpoint may be comforting, the verse does not appear to teach it. Instead, it suggests a collective or general guardianship rather than a personal and particular one. The Bible teaches one angel may protect many (Ps. 34:7), and many angels may protect one person (Ps. 91:11-12). Hence, instead of one angel, many angels are interested in the welfare of one person. Also, the verse points out that these angels are “always before the face of the Father,” so they are in heaven.

In conclusion, the Scriptures do not appear to clearly teach the concept of a personal guardian angel assigned to guide and protect each person from harm. This does not mean, however, that they are not still working on behalf of God’s people today.

Works Cited and Consulted

Bercot, David W. A Dictionary of Early Christian Beliefs: A Reference Guide to More than 700 Topics Discussed by the Early Church Fathers, Hendrickson, Peabody, MA, 2012.

Gill, John. Exposition of the Old and New Testaments, PC Study Bible by Biblesoft, Inc.

Quertermous, Travis L. The Hosts of Heaven: A Biblical Study of Angels. Hester Publications, 2002.