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.
BACK TO START
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.