THE IMPORTANCE OF WORDS

I remember many years ago a great friend telling me about taking his brother to hear his pastor’s Sunday message. At lunch my friend excitedly asked his brother what he thought of this great sermon. His brother, that taught Greek to college students, quietly remarked, “His passion was great, but unfortunately the phrase he made the central part of his message, did not match its meaning in Greek.” (my paraphrase)  

When I travel overseas. I need to count on others for their interpretation of everything from Greek to Pig Latin--and everything in between. Just as misinterpreting a word can change a sermon’s meaning, misunderstanding biblical language can affect how we approach our relationships with others and with God 

We can thank Gary Hill editor of  The Discovery Bible by Mood Press for his work in understanding various meanings of significant Greek words. A critical example is the word “know". The scriptures use the word to mean everything from knowledge that we just naturally possess, (think knowing your alive) to knowing someone intimately—Genesis 4:1, “Adam knew Eve his wife and she conceived and gave birth to Cain.” 

In the New Testament, six different Greek words are translated as “know” but the meanings fall into three categories. For example, sometimes the word means something we just know to be true as a settled fact. “They profess to know God, but by their deeds they deny Him,” Titus 1:16. (It’s a settled fact there is a God.) In the same general area, would be those things we know by an association, regardless of how slight. We might not have a close relationship with President Trump, but if we saw him shopping at Walmart, we would recognize him.  

When Yeshua (Jesus Christ) spoke the word, it was often one of personal connection. For example, “Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophecy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name cast out demons?’ And I will declare to them, I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.”  

It is a very personal relationship, intimate, relationship that is the core of our faith.  

When that day comes, will you be able to say that you strived constantly for that best bud relationship?  The neat thing? When we fail, repentance and a start over are always available.