Matthew 18:10Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Moreover, further incentives are offered for honoring these individuals, as it is said, "As their angels are in heaven, they must see the face of my Father in heaven." This demonstrates that all saints have angels in the heavenly realm. As the Apostle states, a woman should possess the authority to have angels covering her head (1 Cor. 11:10), and Moses points out, "Set the bounds of tongues according to the number of the angels of God" (Deut. 32:8). The reference is not limited to angels alone but includes the higher orders of angels as well. When it is mentioned that they behold the face of My Father, it conveys their great boldness and significant honor.

Previously, angels were assigned according to the number of nations; however, now they are allocated based on the count of the faithful. This is affirmed by Christ's declaration, "See that ye despise none of these little ones: for I say unto you, that their angels in heaven always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven" (Matt. 18:10). Every believer is accompanied by an angel, just as every righteous person has had an angel since the dawn of time, as Jacob acknowledges: "The angel that delivereth me from all evil, let him bless these young men" (Genesis 48:16).

Thus, it becomes evident that while we all possess angels, the angels of the unrepentant, perhaps embarrassed by our lack of compassion, lack the boldness to behold God's face or even intercede on our behalf; while the angels of the humble are able to look upon God's countenance, emboldened by their virtue.

This is affirmed in the Revelation of John, where it is instructed to write to the angel of Ephesus, Thyatira, and the angel of Philadelphia, as well as the angels of the other four churches. Furthermore, the apostle instructs that in the gatherings of believers, women should cover their heads because of the angels.

Those under the protection of angels, who possess such confidence before God that they eternally gaze upon Him in heaven, are certainly deserving of respect. This is true, if not solely for their own righteousness, at least for the sake of their heavenly guardians. The phrase My Father's face refers to God Himself; they do not behold Him in His essential glory, but in the manner that is permitted. It is stated that no one has ever seen God in His true essence (John 1:18), not only the physical being but also the non-physical. He further provides additional reasons for why they should not be overlooked.

How can you disregard their needs and neglect their care? Their angels dwell in the heavens and descend to support them; should you fail to humble your earthly pride in consideration of their innocence? These angels witness the glorious presence of the heavenly Father and then focus their eyes on the tiny garments and the cradle, turning their ears to the sounds of the child's cries or coos. Is providing for these little ones, in your view, a trivial matter? Who appoints angels over the infants of humanity but the very Creator of both angels and mankind?

In light of the Lord's words, let us reflect on the urgent responsibility of nurturing and caring for children. Guard against despising even the smallest of these little ones, and beware of the stealth of neglect, which can arise unobserved. Parents and caretakers, be vigilant not to underestimate any aspect of the little ones you have brought into the world and are raising. It is easy to be unaware of the potential for such disdain, which is precisely why caution is urged. Children may fall into neglect if they are cared for primarily by nurses or caregivers rather than by their own parents. Nature, or more truly, the Creator of nature, ideally provides both nourishment and nurture from the same mother. While circumstances might sometimes necessitate a separation of these roles, one must consider whether this is merely a result of a tendency towards negligence or mere imitation of carelessness. A thoughtful mother should reflect on the implications of her child receiving nourishment from a nurse while her own child is left desiring her love and comfort.

The mother who lovingly nourishes and cradles her infant, and the father who, during moments of rest, engages with the child, imparting sacred and gentle teachings—each plays a vital and beautiful role. Both parents partake in these joyful activities, which not only benefit the child who delights in them but also sow early seeds of love and kindness in the child's heart, setting the foundation for a bountiful future. Never neglect your children, even if your desire is simply to entertain them; especially do not overlook the importance of educating them beyond mere amusement. If learning becomes solely about pleasantness rather than usefulness, it can be said that they are poorly served. Pleasantries serve as mere enhancements to life, akin to seasonings, while true sustenance is what life fundamentally requires. Would it not be peculiar to focus only on gathering delicacies without ensuring the presence of actual nourishment?

It is a failure to prioritize the lasting nurture of the soul if, in providing education, one emphasizes transient benefits over spiritual well-being; when knowledge is prioritized over wisdom, and the heart's garden is neglected, allowing harmful inclinations to thrive instead of nurturing virtuous sentiments. The beginning of wisdom is the fear of the Lord: but understanding is good for all who do it; godliness in God establishes true understanding (Proverbs 1:7). As you raise your children to become future citizens, warriors, creators, and artists, take heed not to overlook the more profound task at hand—the nurturing of them as faithful children of the Church, preparing them to be future citizens of heaven whom their heavenly angels desire to assist in their formation.

yable, but what is valuable, prioritizing lessons that benefit eternal life over mere earthly existence." Out of love for them, temper your affection, reserving it as a reward for their compliance, guiding them towards fruitful teachings (thoughts of Philaret, Metropolitan of Moscow).

"Take heed, do not overlook or dismiss the desires of their guardian angels, for I assure you that the angels of these young ones in Heaven perpetually behold the face of My Father and aspire to cultivate righteous children of My Church from your offspring, preparing them to be worthy citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven. Consider the care that the angels of God provide for your children; how can you leave them uncared for? Their angels reside in Heaven and descend to earth on their behalf: will you not set aside your earthly pride to attend to their tender age? These angels continually see the face of my Father, as much as created beings are able, and from this blessed vision, they focus on the swaddling cloth and cradles, and they listen to the cries and babbles of infants, finding no shame in this duty; does it not seem small to you to tend to these little ones? And who dispatches angels to the children of man? Surely, it is the Creator of both angels and men. Reflect: Heaven is moved to safeguard the life and purity of your child; are there not some among you who hear the cries of the needy infant without compassion, viewing the growth of their own children with the same indifference as the grass that thrives in the field?" (Metropolitan Philaret of Moscow).

Thus, our Lord reveals the spiritual realm to cultivate a gracious regard for children, showing us not merely the infant and their caregiver, but the soul and its Guardian Angel. "Why, then, does He refer solely to the Angels of infants? Do we not also have Angels as we mature? Do our angels not behold the face of our heavenly Father?" Are they not all ministering spirits dispatched to serve those destined for salvation? (Heb. 1:14). It is indeed challenging to view our angels in the same light as those of the little ones. Who can say whether these spirits of light are not distanced from us, dimmed by our sinful actions and thoughts? Yet the guardian angels of young hearts, untouched by passion and untainted by vice, act unobstructed between these children and the Heavenly Father, shielding them from darkness and, through their communion, bestowing upon them that which is recognized as angelic in nature (Metropolitan Philaret of Moscow).

Although we all have guardian angels, Blessed Theophylact notes that the angels of the sinful, ashamed of our excesses, lack the boldness to contemplate the face of God and intercede on our behalf; conversely, the angels of the humble gaze upon God's face, for their righteousness grants them confidence. Thus, it is beneficial for those who, with Christian diligence, care for these little ones to partake in the heavenly angelic ministry, safeguarding and guiding them from the visible realm as angels do from the unseen. This signifies a communion that honors both their and their angels through a shared heavenly fellowship. However, the Lord’s message extends beyond children alone; as St. Chrysostom explains, He also refers to all who possess a childlike faith—those who are poor, disregarded, and ignorant, yet are esteemed before God, embodying humility as they resemble children in spirit.

Theophilus). - Those who have humbled themselves to resemble a child for the sake of God's kingdom. - "Their angels are in heaven," etc.: this highlights the reason we ought not to look down on any of our neighbors, members of Christ's Church. The rationale is God's particular concern for them, where He assigns each one a special guardian angel devoted to their salvation (Heb. 1:14, Acts 12:15, cf. Tob. 5), who is also in intimate fellowship with God in the heavenly realm. If God cares so profoundly for these little brothers that He appoints heavenly spirits to assist them, and if these pure spirits do not deem it beneath them to work for their salvation, how can humanity justify despising these little ones? - "Always see the face," etc.: signifies their close communion with God. This expression derives from the idea that being continuously visible to the king indicates a special favor, intimacy, and trust, as those particularly close to the king were referred to by the Jews as those who see the king's face (4 Sam. 25:19, cf. 3 Sam. 10:8, Tob. 12:15, Esth. 1:14, cf. Lk. 1:19). Therefore, the Savior reminds us not to disregard the least of Christians, the most marginalized and impoverished, for they are attended by the highest and most noble beings, who perpetually dwell in the presence and unique favor of the King of heaven.