Every once in a while we come in contact with a word or words which stump us-both in our daily speech and in the Bible. I find myself occasionally checking Webster’s online dictionary or my Roget’s Thesaurus to hunt up a meaning of a word or a synonym to help make more sense.
It is those hard-to-sometimes-understand Bible words which often trip people up. It is one of the reasons people give for not reading the Bible or definitely for not understanding it. In today’s message, I spoke about adoption. I also introduced some other hard-to-understand/grasp words often found in the Bible. This is certainly not exhaustive but just five random words:
Regeneration– when a spiritually dead person is made alive in the power of God.
Justification– when God declares a sinner righteous because of the blood of Christ shed on the cross.
Sanctification– the act of being set aside for a specific purpose.
Redemption– the act of being bought back. It is the act of being set free. (Think slaves bought on the auction block and then given their freedom).
Propitiation– the work of Christ in purchasing our salvation. I John uses this term to describe Him as our Advocate.
I know there are more. Part of being a pastor is also being a teacher. I confess I’m not much of an evangelist, but I do love to teach the folks what I am learning.
So…here’s your question: have any of those words given you pause? Is there another word or two which will raise your eyebrows in thought? I’d like to hear it.
I think it would be interesting to know what these words meant in the original text. These are all words in English after multiple translations. Unfortunately we don’t know who the authors were or what they intended. We are not even sure who wrote the Book of John. I am sure it wasn’t someone whose name was John. There were no J’s in written or spoken language back then.
I have a Greek translation here if you would like to borrow it. As for who wrote John, that is not even the issue here. However, there is a Greek name for John (Iwannes). I can’t write the Greek word here since I don’t have those caricatures on my keyboard.
Propitiation stumped me the first time I heard it. Had to look it up. A phrase that I often wonder how many people have any clue what they are saying is from the hymn, “Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing”. When we sing “Here I raise my ebenezer, hither by Thy help I’ve come,” do we really know that it refers to 1 Samuel 7:12 when the Israelites set up a monumental stone to signify the great help that God granted them thus far. We can glean so much more meaning by looking a little deeper at the words we are saying.
I have to admit to a dislike for that song and those words, but you have given new light to them Pam. Thanks.
Good words, Bill. I don’t hear those used as often as I once did, but they’re still valuable and relevant concepts that are true in our lives. Good for you in continuing to teach on them.
Thanks Lisa. I think the more modern translations have taken them out of our vocabulary.
I haven’t seen/heard the word “propitiation” in ages! The 1928 Book of Common Prayer uses it in the context you gave here, Bill. I paraphrase – “Christ died for the propitiation of our sins.”
Thanks for sharing these words and elaborating on their definitions.
Blessings!
It is used in I John 2:2 in the ESV. Verse 1 uses Advocate. I prefer the latter use. 🙂
The word regeneration I understand – but the crazy-good process that is wrought within us, I’ll never understand the wonder of that (in every good possible way!)
I’ve always loved learning about and knowing the meaning of the word “helpmeet” in Genesis as it pertains to Eve. Makes me feel kinda special…
GOD BLESS!
That is with all of them Sharon. Crazy-good process blows me away.
Sanctification has always been a hard word for me, at least the idea/meaning behind it. I understand it when it applies to other people, but not so much for myself…
I simply say Ed you have been chosen by God and set aside for His specific purpose.