Words, words, statements

Healthy words are not only single words, but also words in the sense of “coherent statements”. Therefore, you can contrast with “foreign teachings” as Paul does here below:

“If anyone spreads strange doctrines, and does not accept the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the doctrine which is according to godliness, he is puffed up, and yet understands nothing, but is sick of disputes and strife of words, from which arise envy, discord, blasphemy, evil suspicions.”
1Tim 6:3-4

Further, the apostle speaks about a “pattern of sound words” as he passed them on to Timothy:

“Keep to the pattern of sound words you have heard from me, in the faith and love that is in Christ Jesus!”
2Tim 1:13

Healthy teaching

Healthy teaching consists of healthy words. Nothing obscures the biblical message more than theological and philosophical terms that are superimposed on the Bible until they are eventually confused with the biblical statements. Healthy words conform to the gospel; unhealthy words do not. To distinguish one from the other is the art of attentive Bible reading.

When one deals intensively with biblical topics, one quickly realizes that there are not an endless number of viewpoints. This also applies to the way in which the interpreters deal with the topics. I kept noticing that some views were described with words that either do not exist in the Bible, or are not used in the passages mentioned. The doctrine and the biblical passages cited for it are often not congruent.

Once I read a study on the subject of “Heaven”. There was a statement there: when dying, “the soul goes to heaven”. As evidence for this statement Ecclesiastes 12:7 was quoted, where it says “and the spirit returns to God who gave it”. Now, soul and spirit are certainly not the same thing (see Heb 4:12), and “return to God” and “go to heaven” are by no means identical. The quoted Bible verse did not substantiate the statement.

Whoever reads this critically comes to the conclusion that either a correct Bible passage must be quoted here, from which the statement actually emerges, or there is something wrong with the statement (the teaching). If I recognize that, I can correct either the statement or the rationale. Either would be fine, because both would resolve the discrepancy.

Let’s make a neutral comparison: The statement “the moon is yellow” is not explained by the reason “the water is blue”. When we make such a comparison, we immediately notice the discrepancy. However, in relation to theological ideas or statements about the Bible, this is often not so clear. For too long we have been confronted with expressions that we think constitute a biblical fact, but which are not in the Bible at all. This is in no way a matter of quibbling over words. But if we are not able to express a biblical truth in clear biblical words, then we are testifying that we do not yet understand the Bible on this point. Otherwise, we could explain biblical topics with biblical words, couldn’t we? If this does not succeed, then we are challenged to listen carefully once again. A healthy understanding of the Bible helps a healthy life of faith.

A pattern of healthy words

Paul exhorted Timothy, “Keep to the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me” (2 Tim. 1:13). From this it can be seen that Paul spoke to Timothy with sound words. So they are certainly the words as Paul writes them in his letters to Timothy. Accordingly, we have a “pattern” or example at these words. From this we can see what healthy words look like, and what they aim to do. It always goes together. The Greek word for “pattern” (Gr. hypotyposis) is otherwise only used in 1Tim 1,16, where the story of Paul’s conversion is a “pattern” for all who come to faith afterwards. Both passages are about a clear example, which can be applied to other and further things. Certainly, namely, to the rest of the words of Scripture. For it is said that all Scripture is permeated by God’s Spirit or originated from it (2 Timothy 3:16-17, literally “all Scripture is God-inspired”, Gr. theopneustos).

Understanding words is important. How am I supposed to understand a sentence if I don’t understand the words that are used in it? As a child, we learn the meaning of words by hearing the same words in ever-changing situations. Gradually, we learn what is meant and how the words differ from each other. We expand our vocabulary. First we speak single words, then short sentences. And when we are practiced, we can communicate accurately, and understand what others are saying to us. It is the same with God’s Word.

With “word” we must think not only of a single word, but likewise of words in the sense of statements. When we speak of the “Word of God,” we also mean not a single word, but a whole library of 66 books. When we speak of “sound words,” we are referring to both the individual words and the connected statements.

If we look at the Bible as a collection of tools, we will find screwdrivers and wrenches in many different sizes. Different tools, each with its own purpose. I don’t know any craftsman who would say, “I don’t care what size of a wrench, just hand me any”. That would be something like “It doesn’t matter whether the Bible speaks of forgiveness, justification or reconciliation, the main thing is that something good is meant by it.” The craftsman, knowing what kind of work he has to do, chooses the tool carefully and says “I’d like a sixer, or a tenner”. Thus, we too can learn this accurate handling of God’s Word. Then terms like forgiveness, justification, or reconciliation each take on a meaning all their own. The word becomes rich and diverse. We acquire an ability to use the Bible purposefully, as described by the writer of the Letter to the Hebrews:

“For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing until it divides both soul and spirit, both marrow and bone, and it is a judge of the thoughts and minds of the heart.”
Heb 4:12

Unhealthy words

What words are unhealthy and distract from what the Bible is saying? There are several categories. Here are just a few examples as a suggestion.

• Add something to the word
  The serpent’s question to Eve, in the Garden of Eden, was a reinterpretation and reversal of God’s original words (Gen. 3:1-7). Instead of repeating God’s word correctly, God’s statements were twisted, something was added, and the statement was already a different one. With devastating consequences.
• Abusing the Bible and Bible Words
  Satan tempted Jesus in the wilderness with Bible quotes (Matt. 4:1-11) to win Him over. Jesus resisted Satan with “It is written…” until Satan departed from Him. Unhealthy were the Bible words that Satan quoted not because of the word itself, but because of the wrong application. Satan is the diabolos or “muddler”. It was an abusive use that Jesus resisted, with healthy words.
• Spiritualization and reinterpretation
  When God says “Israel” in His Word, He means “Israel,” that is, not the church, or something else. The fact that a word like Israel is reinterpreted finds expression in theological terms like “spiritual Israel,” which are found nowhere in the Bible.
• Philosophical meanings in the Bible
  The Greek word “Hades”, for example, is more often translated as “realm of the dead”. It suggests that the “dead” live in a “kingdom”, and a “kingdom” suggests that there is a “king” there. These thoughts are found in Greek mythology, but not in the Bible. The translation is misleading. That is why the translations are not consistent here: in Acts 2:27 Luther writes “death” for Hades, the Rev. Elberfelder has not translated and writes directly “Hades”, Schlachter 2000 writes “realm of the dead”, Hope for All writes “death”, the New Geneva Translation writes “realm of the dead”, etc. The Elberfelder gives the example: A rendering with “Hades” is simple, and it allows the word to be recognized consistently in the various biblical contexts. Those who appreciate this will find the best help in the Concordant New Testament.
• Inappropriate word formations
  “Eternal death,” “spiritual death,” or “immortal soul,” “eternal lostness” are good examples of this category. The expressions are not found anywhere, although they have great significance in some teachings. They distract from the Scriptures.
• Theological words
  “Trinity” or “transubstantiation” are theological words that have no equivalent in the Bible. If a theological word construct like “Trinity” (Trinitarianism) could be expressed in the clear words of Scripture, there would probably be fewer problems. Theological words do not explain the Bible, but usually only the discussions and doctrinal decisions that led to these expressions. While this is very interesting, it is only useful as a historical insight, not as a foundation of biblical teaching. Let’s stay with Scripture. This is obvious and healthy.
• Words assigned incorrectly in time
  We already spoke of Hymenaeus and Philetus, and that they claimed that the resurrection “had already happened” (2 Timothy 2:15-18). Thus they erred from the truth. Although the resurrection is an important biblical statement, they had said something wrong about the resurrection. The time of the resurrection was changed. They were unhealthy words. Biblical words at the wrong time become falsehood.

Maintain a healthy culture

On the one hand, we should cultivate a pattern of healthy words, but on the other hand, we should not fight over words:

“…testify earnestly before the Lord that one should not quarrel over words, which is good for nothing but to confuse the hearers.”
2Tim 2:14

“But reject the foolish and unintelligent disputes, knowing that they only produce strife.”
2Tim 2:23

It’s all about the healthy direction. Healthy words, Paul says, we should keep “in the faith and love that is in Christ Jesus” (2 Tim. 1:13). When we examine doctrinal statements, we consistently ask ourselves whether “sound words” have been used. We should hold these words explicitly in faith and love. This is what it’s all about. Quite positive. For it is not the teaching that is the goal, but the fruit that grows from it.

We can safely forget other words.

Deepening

Questions for a roundtable discussion:

• What words are important in your understanding of faith?
• Do you know whether these words come from the Bible or from tradition?
• “Healthy words” are not about “right” or “wrong,” but about what? (1Tim 6:3-4 2Tim 1:13)
• Why should we nurture healthy words, yet not fight over words? (2Tim 2:14, 2Tim 2:23)