As with most matters of this kind, the actual meaning is to be found in the Bible itself and in the various contexts phrases are used in.  To always use the capital 'W' conveys the idea that wherever the phrase 'the word' is found, it must mean 'Jesus Christ'.  But it does not! Also, to add to the confusion, more than one Greek/Hebrew word is used for 'word' - but most folk insist that it is the Greek 'logos'!  To always use 'word of God' as though it meant Jesus Christ, is to enter into absurdity.

It should be said that the majority of people appear to misuse the phrase inadvertently, simply because they do not know it can have one of many meanings, or that there are different words for 'word'.  However, certain groups of people deliberately misuse it for their own ends. Such groups include, for example, JW's and some branches of Quakers, who insist that 'the word' always refers to Jesus Christ. Most of them do so because they are unbelievers; others because they are ignorant. They prefer their cultic theories to the scriptural facts, because they dislike the Biblical teaching on salvation, or the idea that it is God's actual word.

It is possible that genuine Believers use the capital form 'W' in 'Word' as an indication of their respect for Biblical text. But it is misplaced, for in the AV the 'W' in 'Word' is reserved only for Jesus Christ. So, to use it in all cases is only to confuse the issue. It is also a very bad use of scriptural texts, which suggests that the user may very well misuse other texts as well. We cannot use scripture words in any way we wish, just because we 'think' they mean this or that, or because we 'feel' we can do it.  Meanings in scripture are not arbitrary - all words have a meaning. In this Article, we shall examine the words 'word' and 'Word' and, hopefully, all will be made clear, so that Christians can use them properly.

Old Testament

In the Old Testament there is very little problem, so we will not dwell too much on this section. A common usage is, for example, found in Isaiah 39:8:  "...the word of the LORD" and a similar text in 40:8: "...the word of our God...". The 'word' in these and in most other texts is dabar (pronounced daw-baw). It means speech, word or words, utterance, speaking, thing, business, occupation, acts, matter, case, something, manner. This comes from the root dabar (this time pronounced daw-bar), having very similar meanings; also: to lead away, or to put to flight.  Just from these meanings alone, we can see the need to interpret 'word' within its context, otherwise we can get ourselves into a muddle, especially if the one using it is preaching or writing to teach others!

For reasons best known to themselves, some Christians completely misread and misinterpret certain prophetic books, especially Isaiah.  They 'read into' the text New Testament (or just wrong!) meanings, when no such meaning is offered or exists. One such text is Isaiah 5:24:

"...they have cast away the law of the LORD of hosts, and despised the word of the Holy One of Israel."

Some preachers say that the 'word' in this text is Jesus Christ. Thus, the Israelites despised Jesus Christ.  This is then 'projected' into the future and so men today 'despise Jesus Christ'. That men today despise Jesus Christ is obvious - but we cannot use the text from Isaiah to support the notion! In this text 'word' is used in a very specific way, to refer to actual speech or sayings. This time, the Hebrew ’imrah is used. It means utterance, speech, word or words of God, the Torah.

If there is some kind of underlying meaning, it should be found in the root word of ’imrah, which is ’emer (masculine form). But no, this word also has everyday meanings - utterance, speech, word, saying, promise, command. And if we go back to its root, ’amar, we find the same kinds of meanings. A similar word, ’omer, is used in Habakkuk 3:9, but here, also, the meanings are similar (because ’omer is the same as ’emer).

This ordinariness of 'word' is repeated many, many times in the Old Testament.  In each case, it refers to the actual words, spoken or written, by men or God, etc.

New Testament

"And he (was) clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God."

Revelation 19:13

There is no mistaking the interpretation here - 'Word' means Jesus Christ. But the ONLY reason we know it is Jesus Christ is that the text itself and the context demand such an interpretation.  Note the specific references to personhood: 'He', 'vesture', 'his name'. Note how 'his name' is defined as 'The Word of God'. The capitals in the AV text signify a Person Who is unique, 'of God', and this can only be Jesus Christ. This is reinforced by the emphatic definite article, 'The', which is also found in the Greek text (often the definite article is left out because it is implied by the words in the text, such as 'God' etc. Therefore, there is usually no need to emphasise it). The Greek for 'word' in this text is logos. Oddly, many Christians think that logos always means Jesus Christ - but it does not, as we shall see.

If you think logos always means Jesus Christ, then perhaps you should consider the following text, also in Revelation (20:4):

"...and I (saw) the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God..."

Immediately, any idea that 'word' always means Jesus Christ, is obliterated! Yet, the word for 'word' in this text is logos!  You will notice that the 'word' is separated from 'Jesus', by the conjunctive 'and'. This means the two are different and separate. The literal Greek translation emphasises this. It says: "...because of the witness of Jesus and because of the word of God..."

Clearly, then, the 'word' and 'Jesus' are two distinctly separate entities in this text. In plain fashion, then, we see that the 'word' (using lower case 'w') is NOT the same as the 'Word' (using upper case, or capital 'W'), and 'word' does NOT always mean Jesus Christ!  Now, let us prove the point further by briefly examining various New Testament texts.

In Matthew 13:19,20, the 'word' is described as 'it'. In no way can 'word' in this text mean Jesus Christ!  Many times we find 'the word' described as 'it'.  In Matthew 26:75, we see that Jesus is distinct from what He says ('the word'): "And Peter remembered the word of Jesus...". Note that it does not say the word was Jesus.  Peter was remembering what Jesus had said, as distinct from Who He was.

We also find that although logos is used extensively in the New Testament, it is used in connection with a number of various persons. It is used to describe: what men say, what Jesus said, what God said, what angels said, and what the Spirit gives to men. It also is used to describe Jesus Christ Himself.

Please note, however, that logos is used to describe actual sayings (verbal or in writing) 218 times, whereas references to the 'Word' as being Jesus Christ are found only seven times.  These seven uses are clearly and obviously discovered. Try and find all seven. Then compare with other texts using 'word'.  You will then see that what this Article is saying is correct.

What Men Said

"And whosoever shall speak a word against the Son of Man..."

Luke 12:10

'Whosoever' (that is, any man) and 'word' are linked. Thus, we can paraphrase the text as "...and if any man says a word against the Son of Man..."  That is, the words spoken by men

What Jesus Said

"...sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word."

Luke 10:39

Jesus was present with them, and when He spoke they 'heard his word'. That is, the things He was telling them, referring to doctrine, teachings, etc. This is Jesus using His mouth, physically uttering sounds we recognise as words.  They are distinct from Jesus Himself, and that is how they are represented in this text.

What God Said

"...these which hear the word of God..."

Luke 8:21

That is, what God says through His preachers, Jesus Christ, in scripture, etc. Thus, whatever God has to say to Man through some means or other.

What Angels Said

"For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast..."

Hebrews 2:2

Paul identifies the 'word' as being given by angels. That is, as messengers of God.  So, God gave His 'word' (commands, teachings, etc.) to angels, who conveyed that message to men via prophets, Jesus Christ, apostles, and so on.

Sayings of Men and God Contrasted

"...when ye received the word of God...ye received (it) not (as) the word of men..."

In this text logos is used for 'word' - and yet it is used to refer to the teachings of both men and God. Once again, we see that Jesus Christ and 'the word' are separate.

1 Thessalonians 2:13

Jesus as 'The Word'

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God."

John 1:1

The AV uses the capital 'W', but we could not interpret 'the Word' as 'Jesus Christ' just from this text alone, even though logos is used.  We require the following verses to properly do this, where we find phrases such as "...in him was life", etc.  Then in verse 14:  "And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory...)".  There is no mistaking the interpretation here.  Yet, in the very next chapter, the same logos must be interpreted as what Jesus said, NOT as Jesus Himself: "...and the word which Jesus had said." (2:22).

A similar use is found in 12:48:"...the word that I have spoken..." ('I' being Jesus, and 'spoken' meaning actual words coming from His mouth). Before we go any further, we must know what logos actually means. This will help the reader to see just how many possible interpretations there can be for the word - and why we cannot always use it to mean 'Jesus Christ'.

Generally (main interpretations), logos means word (spoken or written - used 218 times in the New Testament), saying, account (of something) speech, thing.  There are 32 miscellaneous uses.  It can also mean Jesus Christ Himself, but only in seven instances out of several hundred (see note below).

Sub-interpretations include:

Uttered by a living voice (man or God etc.); having a conception or idea; the sayings of God/anybody; decree; God's moral precepts;Old Testament prophecy. The act of speaking; faculty of speech; instruction; doctrine; teaching. Something reported in speech. Reason, thinking, meditating, calculating. Consideration, explanation (of judgement made), cause, etc.

These are just a summary of the possible interpretations of the one word, logos!  What determines the interpretation is the context.

When used to describe Jesus Christ, the interpretations include the following: Christ as the essential 'Word' of God.  Power and wisdom in union with God. The One Who effected creation and Who governs the universe; the Cause of all life; the One Who put on human nature to effect salvation; the Second Person in the Trinity as seen in the words and deeds of Him as Jesus Christ. It is likely that Christ is called the 'Word' because He epitomises Who God is and what He says to men, and because the 'Word' of God is Who He is.

The word logos was first used by the Greek philosopher, Heraclitus, about 600 years before Christ, to mean 'the divine plan or reason which co-ordinates a changing universe'. Thus John uses it to good effect in his magnificent theological statement, that Christ IS the 'Word' of God....the One Who, alone, rules and administers the universe according to God's purposes! We see the same use made of logos in 1 John 1, 1 John 5:7, Revelation 19:13, etc.

"And the word of God increased..."       "But the word of God grew and multiplied."

Acts 6:7; 12:24

Once more, logos is used for 'the word'. Christ Himself cannot 'increase' or 'grow' or be 'multiplied', for He is complete as God.  Therefore, the 'word' that grows is His teaching and salvation, as the Gospel is spread and affects men, who then adhere to the doctrine of God.

"...the word of wisdom...the word of knowledge by the same Spirit."

1 Corinthians 12:8

The 'word' we need spiritually is given by the Holy Spirit.  He transfers to us what God wishes to say through us and to us, in these spiritual gifts.  He also speaks God's commands and teachings through men (preachers and teachers) as they proclaim scripture.  The word logos is used in this text, also.

Random Other Texts

"...and when ye have found (him), bring me word again..."

Matthew 2:8

Note that the 'word' in this text is the information men might have. This can be seen from the separate references to 'him' (Jesus) and 'the word', which treat both as distinct.  But logos is not used in this text.  The word used for 'word' is apaggello.  Its interpretations are: bring word, declare, tell, show, report, make known openly. Herod is asking the magi to bring him a report - to make known openly where the infant Jesus and his parents were.

Thus we could say that Herod wanted to hear 'word' about 'The Word'. That 'word' does not mean Christ in this text is self-evident, especially as apaggello is rooted in apo (from, out of, by, etc.) and aggelos (angel, messenger [from anyone], envoy, one who is sent [from anyone]; messenger from God).  The 'messengers' in this text are the magi, of course, not Jesus, Who was at that time only an infant!

"...and flee into Egypt...until I bring thee word..."

Matthew 2:13

God spoke to Joseph through an angel, warning him of the coming holocaust planned by Herod. This time, 'word' is epo, meaning say, speak, tell, command, bid.  To use 'Word' in this kind of text is a classic example of absurdity for two reasons:

(a) Jesus was already with Joseph and Mary, so when God brought 'word', it could hardly be Jesus Christ!  It had to be 'command' or 'saying'.

(b) When 'Word' means 'Jesus Christ', only logos is used – but here a totally different and ordinary word is used - epo.

Thus, it is impossible for this word to mean 'Jesus Christ'.

I am labouring these points because so many Believers think 'the word' is always Jesus Christ, and because they think 'word' is always logos. This latter text ought to dispel the idea, as should the next.

"Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word...out of the mouth of God."

Matthew 4:4

'Every word' signifies 'more than one' word. Jesus is unique and alone. There is no other 'Word' (logos) beside Him.  Therefore, 'word' in this text means speech or teaching, etc.  As in Matthew 2:13, a totally different word for 'word' is used (NOT logo). It is rhema, meaning word, saying, thing, no thing, that which is uttered by a living voice, thing spoken, a voice sound with meaning.  Also means speech, talk, what one has said; what one puts into a sentence; an utterance, a message, narrative, etc. (This is a summarised list, but all meanings are similar). The root, rheo, reinforces these meanings - speech, actual words, etc. It means to utter, pour forth, speak. Another indication is that 'every word' in this text comes 'out of the mouth' of God, again referring to actual words and not to a person, i.e. Jesus Christ.

Conclusions

We cannot use 'word' as we wish! Especially not to mean 'Jesus Christ'.  To continue to use the capital 'W' every time we use the phrase 'Word of God', and/or to always make it mean 'Jesus Christ', is a very bad and sloppy use of God's word. It ignores proper Biblical interpretation altogether and, in many cases, as we have seen, its use is ludicrous, leading to erroneous thinking and theology.

Biblical interpretations are NOT open to opinion or to self-made meanings.  The Bible gives us its own interpretations, in the meanings of the original languages.  It is these meanings we must refer to when deciding which interpretation to use in any particular text.  In the various texts from Matthew alone, we have found many different uses of 'word' - and even different words for 'word'.

Scripture shows us that 'word' applies only seven times to Jesus Christ.  Also, only the word logos is used in this connection.  We have seen how different words for 'word' are used in the New Testament at various times, and that these different words are sometimes misinterpreted as 'Jesus Christ'.

The message in this Article is simple - Christians must understand that scripture provides its own interpretations and we have no right to provide our own. To do so in the light of clear meanings is to spiritualise - an activity that ought not be found amongst us.  If in some texts we are unable to find a clear meaning, then we should leave it alone!

When we try to spiritualise a text, we give it a meaning it does not possess. The least result of this is sloppiness, but the worst result can be heresy. That is why we must be very strict in our interpretation of scripture. As Believers we must not take the easy way out and accept any old meaning because we 'like' it or we prefer it. Finding the interpretation of texts takes much time and effort and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Only when we are true to God's word can we live as we ought to live and believe in God's Truth with assurance.

Bible Theology Ministries

© May 1996

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