Sometimes as Pastors we take for granted that words we use everyday are understood by all. This just isn't the case! I will be adding words to this section periodically.
Word Definitions:
Words are powerful. They shape the way we think and live. That is why it is vital that we pursue wisdom and understanding of Scripture as we journey through life. The Bible encourages us to "get wisdom: and with thy getting, get understanding " (Proverbs 4:7, NKJV).
The following is a list of words, definitions and corresponding reference material to help you gain clearer understanding of God's Word.
Abundant Life
Source Scripture: John 10:10-117
"The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep."
Definition: Abundant: (perissos, Greek), "superabundant (in quantity) or superior (in quality); excessive; advantage; exceedingly; very highly; and beyond measure."
Life: (zoe, Greek), "that which makes God, God; the God-kind of life."
Additional scriptural references:
John 5:24-26; Acts 3:13-15, The Amplified Bible (AMP); 1 John 1:2
Anointing
Source Scripture: Isaiah 10:27
"And it shall come to pass in that day, that his burden shall be taken away from off thy shoulder, and his yoke from off thy neck, and the yoke shall be destroyed because of the anointing."
Definition: Anointing: (shemen, Hebrew), "The burden-removing, yoke-destroying power of God."
To anoint: (mashach, Hebrew), "to rub or smear with oil; to consecrate; to paint."
Additional scriptural references:
Luke 4:18; Acts 10:37-38; Hebrews 1:9; 1 John 2:27
Christ
Source Scripture: Colossians 1:27
To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:
Definition: Christ: (Christos, Greek), "The Anointed One and His Anointing."
Additional scriptural references:
Psalm 2:2, AMP; Matthew 16:13-16; John 7:40-41, AMP; Hebrews 1:9
Confessions
Source Scripture: 1 John 4:15, AMP
"Anyone who confesses (acknowledges, owns) that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides (lives, makes His home) in him and he [abides, lives, makes his home] in God."
Definition: To confess: (homologeo, Greek), "to speak the same thing; to assent, accord, agree with, declare and admit."
Additional comments: To confess something means to speak or admit the same things as God based on His written and spoken Word.
Additional scriptural references:
1 Timothy 6:12, AMP; Hebrews 3:1; 10:23, AMP
Firstfruit
Source Scripture: Proverbs 3:9-10
"Honour the Lord with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase; so shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new."
Definition: Firstfruits: (reshiyth, Hebrew; aparche, Greek), "the chief, principal part; the earliest ripe [portion] of the crop; the first in place, time, order or rank."
Additional comments: Firstfruits is a distinct form of giving than tithes. The presentation of firstfruits must be done with a prayer of thanksgiving and action (Deuteronomy 26:1-11). Presenting firstfruits will cause your bank account to overflow and your business affairs to flourish (Proverbs 3:9-10).
Additional scriptural references:
Exodus 22:29; Numbers 18:8-12; Ezekiel 44:30, AMP; Romans 11:6; 2 Chronicles 31:5; Nehemiah 12:44
Logos
Source Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 2:13
"For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in the truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe."
Definition: Logos: (Greek), "the expression of thought; word; account; communication; or doctrine." Also, "The Personal Word," a title of the Son of God; the personal manifestation of the whole deity of Christ."
Additional comments: Logos is often referred to as the "written Word of God."
Additional scriptural references:
Mark 4:4; John 1:1-18; Romans 10:17; 1 Corinthians 12:7-8
Prosperity
Source Scripture: Psalm 35:27
"Let the shout for joy, and be glad, that favour my righteous cause: yea let them say continually, Let the Lord be magnified, which hath pleasure in the prosperity of his servant."
Definition: Prosperity: (shalev and sakal, Hebrew), "tranquility; security; ease; peace; wealth; to have good success."
Additional comments: The words prosperity and prosper have evolved over time. For example, euodoo, the Greek word for prosper found in 3 John 2, is translated "to help on the road; to succeed in reaching; to succeed in business affairs; to have a prosperous journey." The word prosperity also stems from the same root word for shalom, which is translated, "peace; safe; welfare; health; favour." Based on these definitions, we see that prosperity involves success in every area of life-total life prosperity.
Additional scriptural references:
Genesis 24:21, 40-42; 39:3, 23; Joshua 1:8; Lamentations 3:17; Romans 1:10; 1 Corinthians 16:2, AMP
Rhema
Source Scripture: Ephesians 6:17
"And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God"
Definition: Rhema : (Greek), "that which is spoken, what is uttered in speech or writing; a word or saying."
Additional comments: Rhema is distinct from logos in that it does not just refer to the Bible as a whole. Instead, it refers to a revelation, word or insight from God through the Holy Spirit concerning an individual scripture or series of scriptures. Ephesians 6:17 says that the Word of God is the "sword of the Spirit." Hence, rhema is the "revealed Word of God"-the insight revealed to one's born-again spirit.
Additional scriptural references:
Matthew 4:4; 16:16-18; Luke 1:38; Romans 10:17; 2 Corinthians 12:1-4, AMP; Hebrews 1:1-3; 11:3; 1 Peter 1:25, AMP
Righteous, Righteousness
Source Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:21
"For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him."
Definition: Righteous: (tsaddiyq or tsadaq, Hebrew), "just or justified; lawful; to be right; cleansed; clear." Righteousness: (tsedaqah, Hebrew), "rightness; justice; virtue; prosperity."
Additional comments: Righteousness is "being in right-standing" with God. It is based on a covenant relationship with Him. Righteous is "the ability to stand before God without the sense of guilt or inferiority; standing before God as if sin never existed." It is freedom from "sin-consciousness" (Romans 3:20, AMP).
Additional scriptural references:
Genesis 15:1, 6; Acts 13:39, AMP; Romans 1:17; 3:21-28; 4:3, 11-13; 6:1-2; Ephesians 2:8; James 5:16, AMP; 1 Peter 2:21-24; 1 John 2:27-29
Salvation
Source Scripture: Hebrews 2:3
"How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him..."
Definition: Salvation (soteria, Greek; Yshuwah, Hebrew), "deliverance, protection, preservation, prosperity, safety, soundness, welfare and health."
Additional scriptural references:
Genesis 15:1, 6; Acts 13:39, AMP; Romans 1:17; 3:21-28; 4:3, 11-13; 6:1-2; Ephesians 2:8; James 5:16, AMP; 1 Peter 2:21-24; 1 John 2:27-29
Steward, Stewardship
Source Scripture: 1 Corinthians 4:2
"Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful."
Definition: Steward: (oikonomos, Greek), "manager or overseer." Stewardship (oikonomia, Greek), "administration."
Additional scriptural references:
Proverbs 28:20; Luke 12:42; 16:1-2; 1 Peter 4:10
Tithe, Tithing
Source Scripture: Malachi 3:10
"Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it."
Definition: Tithe: (maasrah, Hebrew; dekatoo, Greek), "tenth or tenth part; to take tithes of."
Additional comments: Tithes are distinct from firstfruits. "Tithing the tithe," or confessing God's Word of prosperity over your tithe, is done with words or prayer; it not merely the act of giving. (Deuteronomy 26:12-15). Tithing the tithe positions you to receive the benefits of being in covenant with God.
Additional scriptural references:
2 Chronicles 31:5; Nehemiah 12:44; Genesis 14:17-20; Leviticus 27:20; Matthew 23:23
Wisdom, Wise
Source Scripture: Proverbs 4:7
"Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding."
Definition: Wisdom: (chokmah, Hebrew; sophia, Greek), "skill; insight; understanding." Wise (hakam, Hebrew, sophos; Greek), "skillful; insightful."
Additional comments: Wisdom can be both natural (education and experience) and spiritual (i.e., the wisdom of men vs. the wisdom of God). In the spiritual sense, it is divine insight. It shows you how to use any knowledge you have attained. In addition, wisdom is the spoken and written Word of God (Proverbs 3:5).
Additional scriptural references:
Exodus 28:3; 2 Chronicles 1:7-12; Proverbs 2:6; Isaiah 11:2; 1 Corinthians 2:6-16; James 1:5
More to come!
Suggested reference material for further study:
Strong, James. The New Strong's Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1995.
Vine, W.E. Vine's Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1996.
