Bulleton Article
January 27, 2002


Words mean something!

By: Doug Long


I was listening to a radio program in the morning on the way to work. Occasionally they have a gentleman come on by the name of David Lederer who is an expert in the English language. You would think this would be a boring segment on the radio, but it is actually one of the most popular segments that they have. He actually told the audience where the term 23 skidoo came form. On one of his segments he told us about the difference between the word guaranty and guarantee. This was important because they mean different things, one is better than the other. The one with the 'y' is the good one.

We find these subtle differences in the Bible also. Different words are used in the Greek language to mean subtly different things. When we go to church on Sunday, many people will say, "I am going to Sunday morning services," but in reality it isn't a service at all. It is an assembly. There is a difference between the words. I am not complaining about people calling it a service, I am guilty of calling it a service myself. I am just using it to illustrate the point.

In Deut 4:2 the Bible says, "You shall not add to the word which I command you, nor take from it. That you may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you."

The words God uses are important to get right. If we don't get the meaning right, then we could be guilty of inadvertently adding or taking away from His word. Remember what Jesus said to the Devil in Matt 4:4, " It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.'" Words are important and word study is too.

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