Apologetics

---

'WORD OF...'

A word is the smallest of a language that can stand on its own in either written or spoken language---a sound or combination of sounds, or its representation in writing or printing, that symbolizes and communicates a MEANING.

On the other hand 'word' can represent an entire collection of words, writings, or books. This is the case in which we will use the word 'word.'


Pretty boring so far, eh?

(1) The word of men...
I Thess 2:13 singles out the phrase 'word of men,' a phenomenon liberally described in the New Testament:

"Yet these men speak abusively against what they do not understand; and what things they do understand by instinct, like unreasoning animals---these are the very things that destroy them." Jude 1:10.

"Where is the wise man? Where is the scholar? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?" 1 Cor 1:20.

"For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths." 2 Tim 4:3,4.

"For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, masquerading as apostles of Christ. And, no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve." 2 Cor 11:13-15.

"Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, He gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done."
Rom 1:28.

"To the pure, all things are pure, but to those who are corrupted and do not believe, nothing is pure. In fact, both their minds and consciences are corrupted. They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny Him."
Titus 1:15,16.

There you have it--- the word of men falls short of God's glory and God's character.

(2) Word of Life
"...in which you shine like stars i n the universe as you hold out the Word of Life..." Phil 2:15b,16a.

"That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched---this we proclaim concerning the Word of Life...The Life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it..." 1 John 1:1,2a.

"Simon Peter answered Him, 'Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the Words of eternal life. We believe and know that You are the Holy One of God." John 6:69,70.

“But the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them forth, and said, ‘Go, stand and speak all the Words of this life.” Acts 5:19,20.

The Word of Life is the Lord Jesus Christ of Nazareth!

(3) Word of Truth
“...the faith and love that spring from the hope that is stored up for you in heaven and that you have already heard about in the Word of Truth, the gospel that has come to you.”
Col 1:5.

Jesus praying to the Father, “Sanctify them by the truth; Your Word is Truth.” John 17:17.

“He chose to give us (spiritual) birth through the Word of Truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all He created.” James 1:18.

“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the Word of Truth.” 2 Tim 2:15.

God’s/Jesus Christ’s Word is truth!

(4) The Word of God
“...when you received the Word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the ‘word of men,' but as it actually is, the Word of God, which is at work in you who believe.” 1Thess 2:13b.

Word of God continued to increase and spread.” Acts 12:24.

“For the Word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges thoughts and attitudes of the heart. NOTHING in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is UNCOVERED and laid bare before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.”
Heb 4:12,13.

“For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring Word of God.” 1 Peter 1:23.

“And take the helmet of salvation, and the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God..." Eph 6:17. KJV.

"Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the Word of Christ."
Rom 10:13.

“But they deliberately forget that long ago by God’s Word the heavens existed and the earth was formed out of water and by water.” 2 Peter 3:5.

Word of Life, Word of Truth, Word of God --- He has all the bases covered. And the Word stands tall in this confused, indecisive, morally muddled, and basically 'unbelieving' generation. SO read the Word. Heed it. Obey it. Be blessed.

Leon Gile Retired Schoolteacher Salem, SC

---

PLEASE ENCOURAGE AUTHOR BELOW LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE