### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek term ἀγγελία (angelía, `{{G31}}`) is derived directly from `{{G32}}` (ἄγγελος - angelos), which means "messenger" or "angel." This etymological root is crucial for understanding its core meaning. Fundamentally, angelía denotes "an announcement," "a report," or "a message." However, its usage in the New Testament extends beyond a mere piece of information to imply a communication that carries authority or a directive, thus encompassing the sense of a "precept" or "injunction." The word therefore signifies a significant and authoritative communication, often with a divine origin or implication.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term ἀγγελία (angelía, `{{G31}}`) appears only twice in the New Testament, both times within the First Epistle of John, underscoring its specific theological weight in this context.
* **[[1 John 1:5]]**: "This is the *message* (ἀγγελία) we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all."
* Here, angelía refers to the foundational content of the apostolic proclamation. It is presented as something the apostles "heard from him" (referring to Christ), emphasizing its divine origin and authoritative nature. The message itself is a profound theological truth about God's essential nature as light, devoid of any darkness. This is not a casual piece of news but a revelatory declaration that forms the bedrock of the Christian understanding of God.
* **[[1 John 3:11]]**: "For this is the *message* (ἀγγελία) that you heard from the beginning, that we should love one another."
* In this instance, angelía denotes a fundamental ethical command or precept. The phrase "heard from the beginning" suggests that this message is not a new or supplementary teaching, but an original and essential component of the Christian faith. It highlights that the command to "love one another" is not a human invention but an intrinsic and foundational aspect of the divine revelation received by believers from the outset of their spiritual journey. This usage strongly aligns with the "precept" aspect of the word's definition.
In both occurrences, angelía consistently points to a foundational, authoritative, and divinely sourced communication, whether it be a theological truth about God or a core ethical command for believers.
### Related Words & Concepts
Understanding ἀγγελία (angelía, `{{G31}}`) is enriched by examining its relationship to other key terms:
* **`{{G32}}` (ἄγγελος - angelos):** The direct root word, meaning "messenger" or "angel." The angelía is the message delivered by the angelos. This connection inherently imbues the message with the authority of its sender, whether a divine messenger or Christ himself.
* **`{{G2097}}` (εὐαγγέλιον - euangelion):** "Good news" or "gospel." While angelía is a "message," euangelion specifies a "good message." angelía can encompass any authoritative message, while euangelion is specifically the salvific message of Christ.
* **`{{G2098}}` (εὐαγγελίζω - euangelizō):** "To preach the good news, to evangelize." This verb describes the act of proclaiming the "good message" (euangelion). angelía is the content, and euangelizō is the action of its dissemination.
* **`{{G4487}}` (ῥῆμα - rhēma) and `{{G3056}}` (λόγος - logos):** These broader terms refer to "word," "utterance," or "discourse." While a divine angelía could be described as a rhēma or logos, angelía specifically emphasizes a message that has been delivered, received, and often carries the weight of a proclamation or instruction. It implies a distinct communication event with significant content.
* **Key Concepts:** Divine revelation, apostolic teaching, foundational truth, divine command, and the essence of Christian doctrine and ethics.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of ἀγγελία (angelía, `{{G31}}`) is profound, particularly given its limited but impactful use in 1 John:
* **Divine Origin and Authority:** The term underscores that the core tenets of Christian faith and practice are not human inventions but divinely revealed truths. The message "heard from him" ([[1 John 1:5]]) establishes God as the ultimate source of this authoritative communication.
* **Apostolic Proclamation:** Angelía highlights the role of the apostles as faithful conduits of God's message. Their proclamation is not their own opinion but a trustworthy transmission of what they received directly from Christ, thereby establishing the authority of apostolic teaching as foundational for the church.
* **Essence of the Gospel:** The first angelía ([[1 John 1:5]]) reveals the very nature of God as "light." This is a fundamental theological truth that permeates John's theology and informs the believer's understanding of God's character and moral purity.
* **Ethical Imperative:** The second angelía ([[1 John 3:11]]) demonstrates that Christian ethics, specifically brotherly love, are not optional add-ons but are integral to the original and foundational message of the faith. This links sound doctrine inextricably with righteous living.
* **Continuity and Consistency:** The phrase "from the beginning" associated with the message of love emphasizes the unchanging nature of God's command and the consistency of the Christian truth from its inception. It guards against novel teachings that deviate from the original deposit of faith.
### Summary
The Greek word ἀγγελία (angelía, `{{G31}}`) signifies a foundational and authoritative "message" or "announcement." Derived from `{{G32}}` (ἄγγελος - messenger), it inherently carries the weight of its divine origin. Its two occurrences in 1 John reveal its dual significance: first, as the core apostolic proclamation about God's nature as light ([[1 John 1:5]]), representing a fundamental theological truth; and second, as a foundational precept or command concerning brotherly love ([[1 John 3:11]]), emphasizing the ethical implications of Christian faith. Thus, angelía encapsulates both the doctrinal content and the ethical imperative of the divinely revealed truth, highlighting the continuity and authority of the Christian message from its inception. It is not merely information, but a life-transforming communication from God.
TRV