--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The angels are ministering spirits; they…" description: "\"The angels are ministering spirits; they are not governing spirits.\" — John Brown" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f63/john-brown-15897_angel_the-angels-are-ministering-spirits-they_1826785.png" --- # The angels are ministering spirits; they are not governing… ![“The angels are ministering spirits; they are not governing spirits.” quote by John Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f63/john-brown-15897_angel_the-angels-are-ministering-spirits-they_1826785.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f63/john-brown-15897_angel_the-angels-are-ministering-spirits-they_1826785.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f63/john-brown-15897_angel_the-angels-are-ministering-spirits-they_1826785.png) > “The angels are ministering spirits; they are not governing spirits.” [John Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-brown/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Angels act as helpers, not rulers, implying divine assistance without control. **In simple terms:** Angels help, they don’t rule. Key Takeaway Seek guidance, not domination. Themes spirituality guidance authority humility Mood contemplative spiritual Type theological ethical When to use this quote - personal prayer - community leadership - moral decisions Key Concepts theology ethics Questions to Reflect On - How do you differentiate help from control? - What role should divine guidance play? A Different Perspective Relying on angels may reduce personal responsibility. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Angel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/angel/) [Angels](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/angels/) [Angels Ministering](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/angels-ministering-2240150/) [Governing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/governing/) [Governing Spirits](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/governing-spirits-2240153/) [Ministering Spirits](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ministering-spirits-2240151/) [Spirit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/spirit/) [Spirits Governing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/spirits-governing-2240152/) ## Related quotes > [The dreams which reveal the supernatural are promises and messages that God sends us directly: they are nothing but His angels, His ministering spirits…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paracelsus/the-dreams-which-reveal-the-supernatural-are-promises-and-messages/) [Paracelsus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paracelsus/) > [“Are they not all ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/are-they-not-all-ministering-spirits-sent-out-to-serve-for-the-sake/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Following World War II, the U.S. was the architect of the UN system, and the world financial system, and the Human Rights Declaration, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-burroughs/following-world-war-ii-the-u-s-was-the-architect-of-the-un-system-and/) [John Burroughs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-burroughs/) > [It is already clear that, because of advances in technology, drones are going to play an increased role in warfare in the years ahead.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-alexander/it-is-already-clear-that-because-of-advances-in-technology-drones-are/) [Douglas Alexander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-alexander/) > [ \[The current governing judicial philosophy is:\] If you want something passionately enough, it is guaranteed by the Constitution. No need to fiddle around gathering… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-bork/the-current-governing-judicial-philosophy-is-if-you-want-something/) [Robert Bork](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-bork/) > [“If you do not have a moral question in your governing process, then you do not have a process that is going to survive.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oren-lyons/if-you-do-not-have-a-moral-question-in-your-governing-process-then/) [Oren Lyons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oren-lyons/) > [The attack on youth is a national pathology, unwarranted by fact, smokescreen for the failure of adulthood and its leadership to confront larger predicaments.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-a-males/the-attack-on-youth-is-a-national-pathology-unwarranted-by-fact/) [Mike A. Males](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-a-males/) > [A Prohibition law strikes a blow at the very principles upon which our government was founded.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/a-prohibition-law-strikes-a-blow-at-the-very-principles-upon-which/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [The EU Constitution is something new in human history. Though it is not as eloquent as the French and U.S. constitutions, it is the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeremy-rifkin/the-eu-constitution-is-something-new-in-human-history-though-it-is/) [Jeremy Rifkin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeremy-rifkin/) > [For me, governing starts with people. It doesn't start with bureaucracy. It doesn't start with policy. It starts with people and what people need…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/betsy-hodges/for-me-governing-starts-with-people-it-doesn-t-start-with-bureaucracy/) [Betsy Hodges](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/betsy-hodges/) > [Plato long ago pointed out the importance of being governed by men with sufficient sense of responsibility and comprehension of public duties to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-bernard-shaw/plato-long-ago-pointed-out-the-importance-of-being-governed-by-men/) [George Bernard Shaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-bernard-shaw/) > [While receiving radiation treatment for a thyroid illness, I had refused to take beta-blockers - a medication that would have eased its side effects…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gail-devers/while-receiving-radiation-treatment-for-a-thyroid-illness-i-had/) [Gail Devers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gail-devers/) > [It will be of little avail to the people, that the laws are made by men of their own choice, if the laws be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-hamilton/it-will-be-of-little-avail-to-the-people-that-the-laws-are-made-by/) [Alexander Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-hamilton/) > [The US has developed two coordinate governing classes: the one, called 'business,' building cities, manufacturing and distributing goods, and holding complete and autocratic power…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thurman-arnold/the-us-has-developed-two-coordinate-governing-classes-the-one-called/) [Thurman Arnold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thurman-arnold/) > [The prediction of nuclear winter is drawn not, of course, from any direct experience with the consequences of global nuclear war, but rather from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-sagan/the-prediction-of-nuclear-winter-is-drawn-not-of-course-from-any/) [Carl Sagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-sagan/) ## More by John Brown > [Whereas, Slavery, throughout its entire existence in the United States is none other than a most barbarous, unprovoked, and unjustifiable War of one portion…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-brown/whereas-slavery-throughout-its-entire-existence-in-the-united-states/) [John Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-brown/) > [When I strike, the bees will begin to swarm, and I want you to help hive them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-brown/when-i-strike-the-bees-will-begin-to-swarm-and-i-want-you-to-help/) [John Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-brown/) > [Be mild with the mild, shrewd with the crafty, confiding to the honest, rough to the ruffian, and a thunderbolt to the liar. But…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-brown/be-mild-with-the-mild-shrewd-with-the-crafty-confiding-to-the-honest/) [John Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-brown/) > [“These men are all talk. What we need is action—action!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-brown/these-men-are-all-talk-what-we-need-is-action-action/) [John Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-brown/) > [If it is deemed necessary that I should forfeit my life for the furtherance of the ends of justice, and mingle my blood further…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-brown/if-it-is-deemed-necessary-that-i-should-forfeit-my-life-for-the/) [John Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-brown/) > [I am gaining in health slowly, and am quite cheerful in view of my approaching end, - being fully persuaded that I am worth…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-brown/i-am-gaining-in-health-slowly-and-am-quite-cheerful-in-view-of-my/) [John Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-brown/) > [I want you to understand that I respect the rights of the poorest and weakest of colored people, oppressed by the slave system, just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-brown/i-want-you-to-understand-that-i-respect-the-rights-of-the-poorest-and/) [John Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-brown/) > [Caution, Sir! I am eternally tired of hearing that word caution. It is nothing but the word of cowardice!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-brown/caution-sir-i-am-eternally-tired-of-hearing-that-word-caution-it-is/) [John Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-brown/) > [So far as I ever observed God's dealings with my soul, the flights of preachers sometimes entertained me, but it was Scripture expressions which…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-brown/so-far-as-i-ever-observed-god-s-dealings-with-my-soul-the-flights-of/) [John Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-brown/) > [Holiness does not consist in mystic speculations, enthusiastic fervours, or uncommanded austerities; it consists in thinking as God thinks, and willing as God wills.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-brown/holiness-does-not-consist-in-mystic-speculations-enthusiastic/) [John Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-brown/) > [Now let us thank th' eternal power, convinced That Heaven but tries our virtue by affliction: That oft the cloud that wraps the present…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-brown/now-let-us-thank-th-eternal-power-convinced-that-heaven-but-tries-our/) [John Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-brown/) > [I dont think the people of the slave states will ever consider the subject of slavery in its true light till some other argument…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-brown/i-dont-think-the-people-of-the-slave-states-will-ever-consider-the/) [John Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-brown/) > [No man, with a man's heart in him, gets far on his way without some bitter, soul-searching disappointment. - Happy he who is brave…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-brown/no-man-with-a-man-s-heart-in-him-gets-far-on-his-way-without-some-2/) [John Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-brown/) > [There is a shrine in the temple of age, where lie forever embalmed the memories of such as have deserved well of their country…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-brown/there-is-a-shrine-in-the-temple-of-age-where-lie-forever-embalmed-the/) [John Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-brown/) > [The United States is a place where the men govern, but the women rule.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-brown/the-united-states-is-a-place-where-the-men-govern-but-the-women-rule/) [John Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-brown/) [Explore all 41 John Brown quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-brown/) ## More Angel quotes > [A man walks down the street. It's a street in a strange world. Maybe it's the third world. Maybe it's his first time around.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-simon/a-man-walks-down-the-street-it-s-a-street-in-a-strange-world-maybe-it/) [Paul Simon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-simon/) > [If I wer an angel,i would make all your wishes come true..but I'm only a girl a girl who loves you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nix/if-i-wer-an-angel-i-would-make-all-your-wishes-come-true-but-i-m-only/) [Nix](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nix/) > [Peace is the first thing the angels sang. Peace is the mark of the children of God. Peace is the nurse of love. Peace…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-leo-i/peace-is-the-first-thing-the-angels-sang-peace-is-the-mark-of-the/) [Pope Leo I](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-leo-i/) > [“Every child is born as angel.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/every-child-is-born-as-angel/) [Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/) > [“Behind my eyelids, I saw him dancing in spirals of coloured light, emerald, blue, and brilliant purple, enfolding him like the wings of an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexis-hall/behind-my-eyelids-i-saw-him-dancing-in-spirals-of-coloured-light/) [Alexis Hall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexis-hall/) > [All that I am or ever hope to be, I owe to my angel Mother.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/all-that-i-am-or-ever-hope-to-be-i-owe-to-my-angel-mother/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [I don't think people will ever forget I was an 'Angel,' anymore than they'll forget Sally Field was 'The Flying Nun.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cheryl-ladd/i-don-t-think-people-will-ever-forget-i-was-an-angel-anymore-than/) [Cheryl Ladd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cheryl-ladd/) > [It's a great story for us whenever an entrepreneur makes a crazy amount of money and we get to tell the world about it.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-lacy/it-s-a-great-story-for-us-whenever-an-entrepreneur-makes-a-crazy/) [Sarah Lacy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-lacy/) > [I believe in UFOs, I believe in extraterrestrials, and I believe in angels. And maybe they'll protect all of us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shirley-maclaine/i-believe-in-ufos-i-believe-in-extraterrestrials-and-i-believe-in/) [Shirley MacLaine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shirley-maclaine/) > [Sometimes we have the absolute certainty there's something inside us that's so hideous and monstrous that if we ever search it out we won't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hubert-selby-jr/sometimes-we-have-the-absolute-certainty-there-s-something-inside-us/) [Hubert Selby, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hubert-selby-jr/) > [Flowers are the alphabet of angels, whereby they write on the hills and fields mysterious truths.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/flowers-are-the-alphabet-of-angels-whereby-they-write-on-the-hills/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [You should never feel lonely, neglected, fearful, or defeated when you remember that there are the shining ones. They are watching with keen interest…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/flower-a-newhouse/you-should-never-feel-lonely-neglected-fearful-or-defeated-when-you/) [Flower A. Newhouse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/flower-a-newhouse/) > [Hark the herald angels sing, 'Glory to the new-born king.' Peace on earth, and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-wesley/hark-the-herald-angels-sing-glory-to-the-new-born-king-peace-on-earth/) [Charles Wesley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-wesley/) > [Man was created a little lower than the angels and has been getting a little lower ever since.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-billings/man-was-created-a-little-lower-than-the-angels-and-has-been-getting-a/) [Josh Billings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-billings/) > [Mooner was walking around laying his hands on the cars, divining karma. "this is it", he said, standing by a small khaki-colored jeep."this car…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janet-evanovich/mooner-was-walking-around-laying-his-hands-on-the-cars-divining-karma/) [Janet Evanovich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janet-evanovich/) [Browse all 4,625 Angel quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/angel/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The angels are ministering spirits; they are not governing spirits.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "John Brown" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-brown/the-angels-are-ministering-spirits-they-are-not-governing-spirits/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Angel" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-brown/the-angels-are-ministering-spirits-they-are-not-governing-spirits/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f63/john-brown-15897_angel_the-angels-are-ministering-spirits-they_1826785.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f63/john-brown-15897_angel_the-angels-are-ministering-spirits-they_1826785.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f63/john-brown-15897_angel_the-angels-are-ministering-spirits-they_1826785.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“The angels are ministering spirits; they are not governing spirits.” — John Brown", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "John Brown", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-brown/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "The angels are ministering spirits; they...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-brown/the-angels-are-ministering-spirits-they-are-not-governing-spirits/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-brown/the-angels-are-ministering-spirits-they-are-not-governing-spirits/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```