Musings: The Word and words by JAH

Because of a comment made by "Elder Child" to my study on the John 1:1-14, I've just restudied the use of "word" in the Greek language. Actually a word is an expression of thought, not a thing. We name things with words, but words are much more important than just names. When we say, "Speak a word" to someone, we are actually asking that person to address others with some sort of information. If we say, "Pass the word," we may be preparing others to act on a specific order, such as an army might use in preparing to charge the enemy. The Greek language has several different word forms for different occasions and uses.

Logos is generally used as the expression of thought. Without the definite article, it can refer to any word or words in general. It is has a definite article, then it refers to a specific word, not just some word. In John 1, Ho Logos definitely refers to Jesus each time it is used, and Jesus is definitely God's Revelation of Himself to us. The fact that Jesus came in the flesh makes Him even more impressively and expressly the revealed Mind of God for mankind.

The Greek word, Rhema, generally refers to someone's specific utterance. I believe there is a Rhema school in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. The word is pronounce hray-mah, and is used in Matthew 4:4. Here it refers to God's spoken word, and it is used again in chapter 12:36 by Jesus, and concerns our answering to God for every "idle word" we speak. In 18:16, Jesus used hraymah to refer to the spoken words of witnesses to the facts in a troubled relationship. In 26:75, Peter remembered His spoken word when Jesus prophesied his lapse in faith. Peter wept bitterly.

Apangeilate is still another word used in Greek. Herod used it in asking the wise men to bring him a message revealing where Jesus was born.

Epos is a word used particularly in reference to speeches and poetry. In the simplest use, it can be translated tell or say.

These are really only a few of the many forms of idea expression used by the ancients. Most of them have similar words to express ideas and thoughts in English. Their multiplicity should give rise to our thought that there is definitely a lot to any word. The Hebrews had the idea that a spoken word was like a stone tossed into water. The ripples from it never stop, and the effect of a word continues forever.

Jesus is the Word of God. There is no other like Him. When you have thought everything you can think about Jesus, you will have the best idea of God that you can have up to that moment. You can continue to read His Word (the Bible), to pray, and to contemplate what you have read and experienced, and your view of God will expand. It will never be complete even though the Scripture in I John 3:2c says, "We know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is." The next verse adds, "Everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself just as He is pure."

When we speak, it should be an utterance (Hraymah) from God, and it should come from the Christ (Ho Logos) who saves, commissions and empowers us to tell (epos) others about Jesus. If we are successful in our delivery of God's Word, we can be sure we are God's Messengers (angelos).