One of my favorite passages in all of the Scriptures is in the opening chapter of John’s gospel:

“In the beginning was the WORD [logos, Christ] and the Word was with God, and the word was God.” —John the beloved

Did you know there are 3 Greek terms for “word” in the scriptures? And only one of them means “the Bible.”

They are:

1. Graphe: the written scriptures, what we call the “Bible.”

2. Rhema: the spoken, prophetic word of God. 

3. Logos: the eternal Son, Christ—Gods highest expression of himself. 

Understanding the distinction of these three words (for "word)  is important, otherwise we will put the Bible in a place of authority that it doesn’t belong. Although the Bible is a beautiful collection of mankinds history and perspectives that were inspired (not controlled) by God, it is not the Word that John is writing about. The Word of God here is the Fathers Son, the fullest expression of the Father who became flesh and dwelt among us. This Word takes preeminence.

Saying that the “Word” here is synonymous with the “Bible” would make zero sense—seeing that it wasn’t formulated until the fourth century. 

You see, the Bible is a library of books that, although inspired, was written by dozens of authors over hundreds of years. The very reality of Gods participation in the affairs of men as well as his consent to let mankind jot down the story gave way for their various upbringings, cultures, and states of consciousness to bleed through its text. It also explains why we see the trajectory of its writings developing over time—especially as it relates to the nature of God. Just think of the Old Testament god in contrast to the Abba revealed in Jesus. An honest reading of both dispensations reveal that, many times, mankind imagined “god” to be different than the Father revealed in Christ. For this, it’d be safe to assume that the message delivered to us through “the scriptures” (graphe) evolved over time.

But Christ hasn’t changed. He has always been the eternal Son of the Father—the One whom John calls the Word who’s face-to-face with God: “And we know that the Son of God has come, and has given us understanding so that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life (1 John 5:20 NASB).”

Although I enjoy reading and studying the scriptures, I love Jesus Christ (the Word) more. Yeah, I enjoy a good Bible study, especially when it lends me the grace to see the Triune God more clearly. But, most of all, I love when my heart witnesses and encounters what its pages are trying to communicate, which is the Living Word, Jesus Christ.

“For the word of God (Logos) is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him [Christ the Logos] to whom we must give account.” Hebrews 4:12-13 (NIV)

While the scriptures are a beautiful display of man’s ever-increasing journey of consciousness as well snapshots of Gods goodness, they are still nonetheless a witness and inspired map of the True and Living Word—the Christ!

-RA