What is the Bible? What is the “Word”?

Let’s start with the facts. The Bible is the bestselling book of all-time with approximately 5 billion copies sold and distributed worldwide. It was written on three different continents (Asia, Africa, and Europe). It was written in three different languages (Hebrew, Greek, and Aramaic) with around 40 authors. It is quite remarkable they can tell a coherent story that is consistent and holds to its integrity. 

Perhaps the most profound verses in the entire Bible in John 1, describe the Bible in a better way than I ever could. 

John 1:1-5

1 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”

The “Word” is an interesting term. In the English language, the term “word” is rather straightforward and there is little depth to its definition. However, it is a different story in the Greek. Word is two-fold: logos endiathetos–word conceived; and logos prophorikos–word uttered. Here is a breakdown of the two-sided meanings:

Conceived (thought) = Jesus (the Bible) is the very MIND of God; the thoughts of God

Uttered (speech) = “chief and most natural indication of the mind”; the spoken words of God

This is amazing. The Bible is the very MIND and WORDS of God. If you want to get to know God, there is no better way than the Bible. To know God, is to know the Bible. To disregard the Bible, is to disregard God. How much you love God is proportional to how you treat the Word of God. Is it a priority in your life?

This passage also means that God spoke to us through Christ.

Hebrews 1:2 “but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe.”

Jesus is the mouthpiece of God. Also through which everything was created, proving he is God. Oftentimes in the Old Testament, God would remind his people that he is God because he created all things. Jesus’ relationship to God is not as a subordinate instrument, but as a co-ordinate agent. Here is a quote that shows the relationship that is being referred to here: “Not as the workman cuts by his axe, but as the body sees by the eye”

Secondly, God commends Jesus and commands us to listen to him.

Matthew 17:5  While he was still speaking, a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!”

Furthermore, we see that Jesus is the human expression and embodiment of God himself.

Hebrews 1:3 The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.

Also, Jesus was God and was with God before the world began. There is special glory and happiness Jesus had with us Father and also as his Father’s delight as noted in John 17:5.

John 17:5 And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.

It is evident that Jesus is the living Word of God on earth. Therefore, his words hold the utmost weight as seen in John 12:48.

John 12:48 There is a judge for the one who rejects me and does not accept my words; the very words I have spoken will condemn them at the last day.

CONCLUSION

So what is the Bible? The Bible is the very mind and words of God culminating in the person of Jesus Christ. There is access to “the way, the truth, and the life” by coming to know the Word of God. As John 12:48 states, we are judged by what we do with the Words of God. Are they taken seriously? Are they searched diligently? Are they moved from the head to the heart? Time will tell. Time will reveal.