ῥῆμα

From the study of Romans 10:17

Range of meaning

Something spoken: a word, saying, utterance, statement, command or announcement. In biblical Greek it also takes on the sense of Hebrew davar, "word" and also "matter, thing, event" (Luke 1:37; 2:15, "let us see this thing that has happened"). It overlaps heavily with logos, the other common Greek noun for "word".

Against the English

"Word" in English is fine, but readers often take "the word of God/Christ" to mean the Bible as a book. Here rhēma is the spoken message preachers announce.

How it drifted

Two overlays: (1) the habit of using "the Word" to mean the written Bible; (2) a 20th-century popular teaching that rhēma is a special personal, spoken word from God, as distinct from logos, the general written word. Greek usage does not support that distinction.

Used elsewhere in the period

Deut 30:14 LXX: "the rhēma is very near you, in your mouth and in your heart". Paul quotes this in Rom 10:8 and explains it: "that is, the rhēma of faith that we proclaim." Ps 19:4 (18:5 LXX), quoted in v.18: "their rhēmata to the ends of the world." 1 Peter 1:23–25 uses logos and rhēma interchangeably for the same preached gospel ("this is the rhēma that was proclaimed to you"). Eph 6:17: "the rhēma of God".

From the study of Ephesians 6:17

Range of meaning

That which is spoken: a word, saying, statement, message, utterance. Like Hebrew dabar, it can also mean 'matter' or 'thing' (Luke 1:37; 2:15). In the Greek Old Testament both rhēma and logos translate dabar, and they are used largely interchangeably.

Against the English

'Word' is accurate, but modern readers hear 'the Word of God' and think of the bound Bible. YLT's 'saying' keeps the spoken character. The popular teaching that rhēma is a special 'personal, now-word' as against logos, the 'written word', is not supported by Greek usage (see popular_drift).

How it drifted

'The Word of God' became a standard name for the completed Christian Bible. Separately, some modern teaching gave rhēma and logos technical, contrasting meanings that Koine Greek did not have.

Used elsewhere in the period

Romans 10:8, 17 (the rhēma 'of faith which we proclaim', quoting Deuteronomy 30:14 in Greek); 1 Peter 1:25 (Isaiah 40:8, 'the rhēma of the Lord abides forever' – 'and this is the rhēma that was proclaimed to you'); Ephesians 5:26 ('by the washing of water with the rhēma'); Hebrews 6:5; 11:3.

From the study of Ephesians 5:26

Range of meaning

That which is spoken: a word, saying, utterance, declaration, statement, command, promise. In LXX Greek (translating Hebrew davar) it can also mean 'matter, thing'. It stresses the word as actually uttered.

Against the English

'Word' is a fair gloss, but in church English 'the Word' usually means the Bible or Christ as the Logos. Here the Greek has no article: 'with a word', or 'with a spoken word'. 'Through the word' (BSB, NIV) and 'by the word' (KJV) add a definiteness the Greek lacks, which encourages readers to hear 'the Scriptures'. YLT's 'saying' is literal.

How it drifted

Two later overlays: (1) the habit of calling the Bible 'the Word', which makes readers hear Bible reading or Bible study; (2) a popular teaching that sharply separates logos (the written word) from rhēma (a personal word of revelation). In the NT the two words overlap heavily. Neither overlay comes from this verse.

Used elsewhere in the period

Rom 10:8–9: 'the rhēma of faith that we proclaim', followed by confessing 'Jesus is Lord'; Rom 10:17: faith comes by hearing, and hearing through the rhēma of Christ; Eph 6:17: 'the sword of the Spirit, which is the rhēma of God'; 1 Pet 1:25 (quoting Isa 40:8): 'the rhēma of the Lord remains forever, and this is the rhēma that was preached to you'. Acts 22:16 ties washing to a spoken act: 'be baptised and wash away your sins, calling on his name'.