This is part 4 of a series on the Greek word logos. I recommend you start at part 1.
So far, we have looked at instances in the New Testament where logos refers to the mind of God made flesh, Jesus the Messiah. A second use of the word was to describe a reasoned argument or discourse, as we see illustrated multiple times by the likes of Peter and Paul.
I think there are a few more uses of logos which are either simply referring to a person’s spoken words or are a variation of a reasoned argument, almost like having to explain. Consider these verses:
“All you need to say (logos) is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.”
Matthew 5:37
“Such regulations indeed have an appearance (logos) of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence.”
Colossians 2:23
“But they will have to give account (logos) to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.”
1 Peter 4:5
I think this covers almost all the uses of logos in the Bible. I’m sure we could go into detail on the use of it in each instance and possibly get a lot more specific and granular, however, I think if we choose to work in broad strokes, what we have covered so far will do.
Holy Cow!
What I haven’t been able to find are instances where logos is used to refer to Scripture, or to anything written, for that matter. This is something worth thinking about. How many of the claims about the power/nature of Scripture are founded on verses that actually say nothing of the sort?
“…from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
2 Timothy 3:15-17
If we agree with Paul’s claim about the value of Scripture, which I do, then it is incumbent upon us to learn from Scripture what is is actually teaching, and not use it to prop up our holy cows. Scripture is God breathed, but is it “living and active, sharper than any double edged sword”? What is the author referring to in this verse?
Here is where we come to the touchy part. Somewhere in the last 2000 years we started referring to the Bible as “the Word of God”. At the same time, we have the unfortunate situation of the translation of the word logos (and rhema) into the very broad English “word”. This has had the effect of not only losing the many foundational meanings and nuance in translation, but also bringing much confusion. Every scripture verse containing the English “word” has become a verse relating to and defending the Bible regardless of the implications. We ascribe to the Bible things that are due only to God, and at the same time completely miss what is actually being communicated.
I could go on but I think the point is made. My purpose here is merely to encourage you to look deeper, not to explain every detail. Discovery is part of the journey. A good friend of mine once challenged me that a good question was much more valuable than a good answer. I have since learnt that it’s OK not to have all the answers, and that a question can take you so much further if you let it do its work.
As Solomon said:
“It is the glory of God to conceal a matter;
to search out a matter is the glory of kings.”
Proverbs 25:2
I’d love to hear your thoughts and to discuss this further, please consider leaving a comment.