Early Christian Beliefs About Fallen Angels and Demons
Early Christian writers taught that some angels fell from God and became demons or the devil’s angels. Justin Martyr, Irenaeus, Origen, Tertullian, and Lactantius all say this in different ways. They also connect demons with rebellion, deceit, and harm to البشر?
122 early-church witnesses · 187 source quotations · compared with Scripture
What did early Christians believe about fallen Angels and Demons?
Early Christian writers taught that some angels fell from God and became the devil’s angels or demons. Justin Martyr, Athenagoras, Irenaeus, Origen, Tertullian, and Lactantius all repeat this basic idea, and several link it to sin, apostasy, lust, or rebellion. They also describe demons as hostile spirits that deceive people, oppose worship, and can afflict or possess humans.
The Bible passages in Jude, 2 Peter, Revelation, Matthew, and 1 Timothy give the main scriptural frame these writers used. The witness is broad and early, though some details, like whether demons are the same as the offspring of the fallen angels, are handled a little differently by different authors. Many more early Christian quotations, Bible passages, and source links are gathered below so you can study the evidence for yourself.
Key Takeaways
- Many early Christians said demons came from angels who turned away from God.
- Justin, Irenaeus, Origen, Tertullian, and Lactantius all speak this way.
- These writers also describe demons as deceivers who harm people and oppose God.
- Bible passages most often used include Jude 1:6, 2 Peter 2:4, Revelation 12:9, and 1 Timothy 4:1.
Questions Answered by the Sources
How did early Christians describe demons and fallen angels?
The sources repeatedly say demons are fallen, apostate, or rebellious angelic beings rather than gods. Several writers explicitly connect demons with angels who sinned, left heaven, or became Satan’s angels.
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Justin Martyr, The Second Apology Direct teaching
But the angels transgressed this appointment, and were captivated by love of women, and begat children who are those that are called demons;
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Irenaeus, Against Heresies: Book V Direct teaching
so likewise also the devil, being one among those angels who are placed over the spirit of the air, as the Apostle Paul has declared in his Epistle to the Ephesians, becoming envious of man, was rendered an apostate from the divine law: for envy is a thing foreign to God.
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Origen, De Principiis (On First Principles) Direct teaching
This opinion, however, is held by most, that the devil was an angel, and that, having become an apostate, he induced as many of the angels as possible to fall away with himself, and these up to the present time are called his angels.
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Tertullian, Apology Direct teaching
We are instructed, moreover, by our sacred books how from certain angels, who fell of their own free-will, there sprang a more wicked demon-brood, condemned of God along with the authors of their race, and that chief we have referred to.
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Athenagoras, A Plea for the Christians Direct teaching
These angels, then, who have fallen from heaven, and haunt the air and the earth, and are no longer able to rise to heavenly things, and the souls of the giants, which are the demons who wander about the world, perform actions similar, the one (that is, the demons) to the natures they have received, the other (that is, the angels) to the appetites they have indulged.
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Clement of Alexandria, Fragments Supporting witness
But the angels, he says, that kept not their own pre-eminence, that, namely, which they received through advancement, but left their own habitation, meaning, that is, the heaven and the stars, became, and are called apostates.
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Barnabas, Connection to 2 Corinthians 11:14 Supporting witness
over one are stationed the light-bringing angels of God, but over the other the angels of Satan.
More related quotations from this section 15 shown
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Origen, Against Celsus Supporting witness
...e same way, not all angels are called angels of God, but only those who are blessed. Those who have fallen into sin are called angels of the devil, just as bad men are called men of sin, sons of perdition, or sons of iniquity. Since, then, among men some are good and others bad, and the former are said to be God's and the latter the devil's, so also among angels some are angels of God, and others are angels of the devil. But among demons there is no such distinction, because all are said to be wicked. Therefore we do not hesitate to say that Celsus is wrong when he says, "If they are demons, it is clear that they must also belong to God." He must either show that this distinction between good and bad among angels and men has no basis, or else show that a similar distinction also exists among demons. If that is impossible, it is plain that demons do not belong to God, because their prince is not God but, as Holy Scripture says, Beelzebub.
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Tertullian, Ad Nationes Supporting witness
In what manner demons, the offspring of evil angels who have been long engaged in their mission, have laboured to turn men aside from the faith to unbelief and to such fables, we must not in this place speak of to any extent.
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Lactantius, The Divine Institutes Supporting witness
Thus from angels the devil makes them to become his satellites and attendants.
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Irenaeus, Against Heresies: Book V Supporting witness
Just as if someone, being an apostate, seized another man’s territory in a hostile manner and harassed its inhabitants to claim the glory of a king among those ignorant of his apostasy and robbery; similarly, the devil, one of the angels placed over the spirit of the air, as the Apostle Paul stated in his Epistle to the Ephesians, became envious of man and turned apostate from the divine law, for envy is foreign to God. And as his apostasy was exposed by man, and man became the means of examining his intentions, he has committed himself with increasing determination against man, envying his life and wishing to involve him in his apostate power. The Word of God, the Maker of all things, conquered him through human nature, revealing him as an apostate, and has instead placed him under the power of man. For He says, “Behold, I give you the power to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy,” so that, just as he gained dominion over man through apostasy, his apostasy might lose its power as man turns back to God.
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Lactantius, The Divine Institutes Supporting witness
Therefore, when the number of people began to increase, God in His foresight sent angels to protect and improve the human race. He did this so that the devil, to whom He had given power over the earth from the beginning, would not by his cunning either corrupt or destroy mankind, as he had done at first. And since God had given the angels free will, He commanded them above all things not to defile themselves with pollution from the earth and so lose the dignity of their heavenly nature. He clearly forbade them to do what He knew they would do, so that they would have no hope of pardon. Therefore, while they lived among men, that most deceitful ruler of the earth gradually drew them into vices through their close contact with men, and defiled them through relations with women. Then, because they were not allowed into heaven on account of the sins into which they had thrown themselves, they fell to the earth. In this way the devil made them, though they had been angels, become his followers and attendants. But those who were born from them, because they were neither angels nor men but had a kind of mixed nature, were not admitted into hell, just as their fathers were not admitted int
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Irenaeus, Against Heresies: Book II Supporting witness
...ghty. By calling on Him, even before the coming of our Lord, people were saved from the most wicked spirits, all kinds of demons, and every sort of rebellious power. This happened not because earthly spirits or demons had seen Him, but because they knew of the existence of Him who is God over all. At His invocation, they trembled, as does every creature, principality, power, and every being with energy under His rule. Similarly, don't those who live under the Roman Empire, though they have never seen the emperor and are separated from him by land and sea, understand well who holds the main power in the state due to experiencing his rule? How then could it be that those angels who were greater than us by nature, or even He whom they call the Creator of the world, did not know the Almighty, when even animals tremble and submit at the invocation of His name? And although they have not seen Him, everything is subject to the name of our Lord, and thus must also be to the One who made and established everything by His word, since it was He who formed the world. And for this reason, the Jews even now drive out demons using this very invocation, because all beings fear the invocation of
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Irenaeus, Against Heresies: Book IV Supporting witness
For this reason, therefore, He has termed those “angels of the devil,” and “children of the wicked one,” who give heed to the devil, and do his works.
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Irenaeus, Against Heresies: Book IV Supporting witness
And those who do not believe, and do not obey His will, are sons and angels of the devil, because they do the works of the devil.
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Origen, Against Celsus Supporting witness
so that the name demons is given to those beings who have fallen away from God.
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Origen, Against Celsus Supporting witness
and Scripture declares that it is not only wicked men who are transgressors, but also wicked demons and wicked angels.
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Irenaeus, Against Heresies: Book IV Supporting witness
while He received testimony from all that He was very man, and that He was very God, from the Father, from the Spirit, from angels, from the creation itself, from men, from apostate spirits and demons, from the enemy, and last of all, from death itself.
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Cyprian, Treatises Supporting witness
All which things sinning and apostate angels put forth by their arts, when, lowered to the contagious of earth, they forsook their heavenly vigour.
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Lactantius, The Divine Institutes Supporting witness
Each of them, in truth, affirms that the demons are the enemies and harassers of men, and on this account Trismegistus calls them wicked angels;
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Cyprian, Treatises Supporting witness
Wherein Plato also on the same principle concurs, and, maintaining one God, calls the rest angels or demons.
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Origen, Against Celsus Supporting witness
But among demons there is no such distinction, for all are said to be wicked.
What did early Christians say demons do to people?
The selected sources describe demons as active deceivers who promote false worship, false doctrine, and spiritual harm. They also portray demons as afflicting bodies, working through magic, and opposing Christian faith.
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Lactantius, The Divine Institutes Direct teaching
...he demons are the enemies and tormentors of men, and for this reason Trismegistus calls them wicked angels. He was so far from being ignorant that they had fallen away from heavenly beings, become corrupted, and begun to be earthly.
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Minucius Felix, Octavius Direct teaching
...ss, from which all that obscurity has flowed. I will dig more deeply into it and lay it open more clearly. There are certain insincere and wandering spirits, degraded from their heavenly vigor by earthly stains and lusts. After these spirits lost the simplicity of their nature by being weighed down and immersed in vices, they do not stop ruining others as a comfort in their calamity, now that they themselves are ruined. Being depraved themselves, they infuse into others the error of their depravity. And being themselves alienated from God, they separate others from God by bringing in degraded superstitions. The poets know that those spirits are demons. The philosophers speak of them. Socrates knew it too. At the nod and decision of a demon beside him, he either declined actions or undertook them. The Magi also not only know that there are demons, but whatever miracle they claim to perform, they do it by means of demons. By their aspirations and communications, they display their wondrous tricks, making things appear which are not, or making things not appear which are. Of those magicians, Sosthenes, first both in eloquence and in deed, not only describes the true God with fittin
More related quotations from this section 4 shown
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Lactantius, The Divine Institutes Supporting witness
If they imagine that we are unworthy of belief, let them believe Homer, who associated the supreme Jupiter with the demons;
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Athenagoras, A Plea for the Christians Background
...Thales, as those who have carefully examined his opinions report, divides superior beings into God, demons, and heroes. He recognizes God as the Intelligence of the world. By demons he means beings possessed of soul. By heroes he means the separated souls of men, the good being the good souls, and the bad the worthless ones. Plato again, while withholding his agreement on other points, also divides superior beings into the uncreated God, and those produced by the uncreated One for the adornment of heaven, the planets, and the fixed stars, and into demons. About these demons, although he does not think it right to speak himself, he thinks that those who have spoken about them should be listened to. He says, "To speak about the other demons, and to know their origin, is beyond our power. But we ought to believe those who have spoken before, the descendants of gods, as they say. And surely they must be well acquainted with their own ancestors. Therefore, it is impossible not to believe the sons of gods, even though they speak without probable or convincing proofs. But since they claim to tell of their own family matters, we are bound, according to custom, to believe them. In this w
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Hippolytus, Exegetical Fragments Background
The angels also are called evil, not because they are so in their nature, or by their own will, but because they have this office, and are appointed to produce pains and sufferings — being so called, therefore, with reference to the disposition of those who endure such things;
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Early Liturgies, Liturgy of Adaeus and Maris Background
Your majesty, O Lord, thousands of thousands of heavenly spirits, and ten thousand myriads of holy angels, hosts of spirits, ministers of fire and spirit, bless and adore;
Did early Christians think demons deceive and attack people?
Yes. They say demons mislead people, stir up false worship, and can afflict bodies and minds. Justin, Athenagoras, Origen, Tatian, and the Apostolic Constitutions all describe demons this way.
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Justin Martyr, The First Apology Direct teaching
... should this be the case? For us, who commit to doing no wickedness and do not hold these atheistic beliefs, you do not investigate the accusations made against us. Instead, driven by unreasoning passion and the influence of evil demons, you punish us without consideration or judgment. For the truth must be told: since ancient times, these evil demons, creating apparitions of themselves, defiled women, corrupted boys, and showed such terrifying sights to men that those who did not use reason to judge their actions were struck with terror. Carried away by fear and unaware that these were demons, they called them gods and gave each demon the name it chose for itself. When Socrates tried, through true reason and examination, to expose these truths and free men from the demons, the demons themselves, using men who delighted in iniquity, orchestrated his death, branding him an atheist and a profane person on the charge that "he was introducing new divinities." In our case, they show similar intent. For not only among the Greeks did reason (Logos) prevail to condemn these things through Socrates, but also among the Barbarians were they condemned by Reason (or the Word, the Logos) Hims
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Justin Martyr, The First Apology Supporting witness
Thirdly, after Christ's ascension into heaven, the devils influenced certain men who claimed to be gods. Not only were they not persecuted by you, but they were even honored. There was a Samaritan named Simon, from a village called Gitto, who, during the reign of Claudius Caesar, performed mighty acts of magic in your royal city of Rome, through the influence of devils working in him. He was regarded as a god and honored by you with a statue, which was erected on the River Tiber between the two bridges, bearing this inscription in the Roman language: "Simoni Deo Sancto," meaning "To Simon the holy God." Almost all the Samaritans and even a few people from other nations worship him and acknowledge him as the first god. A woman named Helena, who traveled with him at that time and was formerly a prostitute, is said to be the first idea generated by him. A man named Menander, also a Samaritan from the town of Capparetæa and a disciple of Simon, was inspired by devils and is known to have deceived many in Antioch with his magical arts. He convinced his followers that they would never die, and even now some people still hold his beliefs. Marcion, a man from Pontus, is alive today and tea
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Lactantius, The Divine Institutes Supporting witness
...ot fear Jupiter, unless those whom the crowd thinks are gods are also demons? Finally, if someone clearly suffering under an attack of a demon and the priest of Delphian Apollo were set in the middle, they would in the same way fear the name of God. And Apollo would leave his priest as quickly as the demon's spirit would leave the man. And when his god had been commanded and driven away, the priest would be silent forever. Therefore, the demons, whom they admit are objects of execration, are the same as the gods to whom they offer prayers.
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Origen, Against Celsus Direct teaching
... of them are wicked. These, instead of keeping the law of God, sin against it. But according to our belief, this is true of all demons: they were not demons at first, but became so by departing from the true way. So the name demons is given to those beings who have fallen away from God. Therefore, those who worship God must not serve demons. We can also learn the true nature of demons if we consider what those do who call on them by charms, either to prevent certain things or for many other purposes. For this is the method they use: by incantations and magical arts they call on demons and lead them to help carry out their wishes. Therefore, the worship of all demons would be inconsistent for us who worship the Supreme God. And the service of demons is the service of so-called gods, for all the gods of the heathen are demons. The same thing is also clear from the fact that the dedication of the most famous so-called sacred places, whether temples or statues, was accompanied by elaborate magical incantations, performed by those who eagerly served the demons through magical arts. So we are determined to avoid the worship of demons just as we would avoid death. And we hold that the
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Tatian, Address to the Greeks Direct teaching
.... You accept the rule of many instead of the rule of one, and you have trained yourselves to follow demons as if they were powerful. For just as a cruel robber usually overpowers others like himself by boldness, so the demons, by going to extremes in wickedness, have completely deceived the souls among you that are left on their own through ignorance and false appearances. These beings do not die easily, because they do not share in flesh. But while they live, they practice the ways of death, and they themselves die as often as they teach their followers to sin. Therefore, what is now their main distinction, that they do not die like men, they will still have when they are about to suffer punishment. They will not share in everlasting life, so that they might receive it instead of death in a blessed immortality. And just as we, for whom it now happens easily to die, later receive either immortality with joy or immortality with pain, so the demons, who misuse the present life for wrongdoing, and who die continually even while they live, will later have the same immortality that they had while they lived. But its nature will be like that of men who willingly did what the demons to
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Apostolic Constitutions, Apostolic Constitutions Supporting witness
And after they are gone out, let him say: You energumens, afflicted with unclean spirits, pray, and let us all earnestly pray for them, that God, the lover of mankind, will by Christ rebuke the unclean and wicked spirits, and deliver His supplicants from the dominion of the adversary.
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Lactantius, The Divine Institutes Supporting witness
Nor, indeed, is it a slight cause that the unclean spirits of demons, having received permission, throw themselves into the bodies of many;
More related quotations from this section 4 shown
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Origen, Against Celsus Supporting witness
...hings they have come under the power of other demons, they may suffer punishment from them. But the Christian, the true Christian, I mean, who has submitted to God alone and His Word, will suffer nothing from demons, for He is mightier than demons. And the Christian will suffer nothing, for the angel of the Lord will encamp about those who fear Him and will deliver them. And his angel, who always beholds the face of his Father in heaven, offers up his prayers through the one High Priest to the God of all, and also joins his own prayers with those of the man committed to his keeping. Therefore let not Celsus try to frighten us with threats of harm from demons, for we despise them. And when demons are despised, they can do no harm to those who are under the protection of Him who alone can help all who deserve His aid. And He does no less than set His own angels over His devout servants, so that none of the hostile angels, nor even he who is called the prince of this world, can do anything against those who have given themselves to God.
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Origen, Against Celsus Supporting witness
Celsus next states what is brought forward by Jews and Christians alike in defense of abstaining from idol sacrifices, namely, that it is wrong for those who have dedicated themselves to the Most High God to eat with demons. We have already seen what he brings forward against this view. In our opinion, a man can only be said to eat and drink with demons when he eats the flesh of what are called sacred victims, and when he drinks the wine poured out to the honor of the demons. But Celsus thinks that we cannot eat bread or drink wine in any way whatever, or taste fruits, or even take a draught of water, without eating and drinking with demons. He also adds that the air we breathe is received from demons, and that not even an animal can breathe without receiving air from the demons appointed over the air. If anyone wishes to defend this statement of Celsus, let him show that it is not the divine angels of God, but demons, whose whole race is evil, that have been appointed to communicate all those blessings that have been mentioned. We also maintain, with regard not only to the fruits of the earth, but to every flowing stream and every breath of air, that the ground brings forth those
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Tatian, The Diatessaron Supporting witness
...ed to him again, so that they did not find bread to eat. Luke 11:14 And while he was casting out a devil that was dumb, when he cast out that devil, the dumb man spoke. And the multitudes marveled. Matthew 12:24 And the Pharisees, when they heard, said, "This man does not cast out the devils, except by Beelzebul the chief of the demons, which is in him." Luke 11:16 And others asked him for a sign from heaven, to tempt him. Matthew 12:25 And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said to them in parables, "Every kingdom that withstands itself will become desolate. Every house or city that disagrees with itself will not stand." Matthew 12:26a "And if a devil casts out a devil, he withstands himself. Neither will he be able to stand, but his end will be. Then how now will his kingdom stand?" "For you said that I cast out devils by Beelzebul. And if I by Beelzebul cast out the devils, then your children, by what do they cast them out? And for this cause they will be judges against you." Matthew 12:28 "But if I by the Spirit of God cast out devils, then the kingdom of God has come near to you." Matthew 12:29 "Or how can a man enter into the house of a valiant man, and seize his garments, if
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Tatian, The Diatessaron Supporting witness
Luke 10:17 And those seventy returned with great joy, and said to him, "Our Lord, even the devils also are subject to us in your name." Luke 10:18 He said to them, "I beheld Satan fallen like lightning from heaven. Luke 10:19 Behold, I am giving you authority to tread upon serpents and scorpions, and the whole race of the enemy; and nothing shall hurt you. Luke 10:20 Only you must not rejoice that the devils are subject to you; but be glad that your names are written in heaven."
Common Questions
Did early Christians believe demons were fallen angels?
Yes. Several early Christian writers say demons were angels who fell away from God or became the devil’s angels.
Did early Christians think fallen angels could harm people?
Yes. They often describe demons as deceivers, tormentors, or spirits that afflict and lead people astray.
Which Bible passages did early Christians use for this belief?
Jude 1:6, 2 Peter 2:4, Revelation 12:9, Matthew 13:39, and 1 Timothy 4:1 are among the main passages.
Source Index for Fallen Angels and Demons
The guided sections above show the strongest quotations. This compact index highlights 145 ranked source links from 187 compiled sources for deeper study.
Source index 145 ranked links shown
Early Christian Writings 80 shown of 122
Primary-source quotations from early Christian writers and church documents.
Bible Passages 65 included
Related Bible passages saved for comparison with the early Christian quotations.