Divine Expression: λόγος (Strong’s G3056: logos) Reveals God’s Creative Word
λόγος
Pronounced: LOW-goss
Strong’s G3056: From legō; a word (as embodying an idea), a statement, a speech; by implication, a matter, topic, reasoning, or mental faculty. The preeminent term for divine self-expression in Greek philosophy and Biblical theology, particularly referring to Christ as God’s ultimate revelation.
U – Unveiling this Word
The λόγος represents one of the most profound and philosophically rich concepts in biblical and classical Greek thought. As a foundational term, it encompasses not just spoken words but the rational principle governing the universe, divine reason, and creative force. In Christian theology, it gained supreme significance through John’s Gospel, where Christ is identified as the incarnate Logos – God’s ultimate self-expression and creative Word through whom all things were made. This conception bridged Hellenistic philosophy with Jewish wisdom tradition, presenting Jesus as both the divine reason ordering creation and the personal Word of God engaging humanity. Today, it remains central to understanding divine revelation, rational discourse, and the incarnational nature of Christian faith.
N – Necessary Information
- Greek Word: λόγος, logos, /ˈloɡos/
- Detailed pronunciation: LOW-goss (stress on first syllable)
- Part of Speech: Noun (Masculine)
Etymology:
- Root: λέγω (legō) – to say, speak, gather
- Suffix: -ος (-os) – nominal ending indicating masculine gender
- Function: Forms an action noun describing both the act and result of speaking
D – Defining Meanings
- Primary word, discourse, or utterance
- Reason, rational faculty
- Account, reckoning
- Underlying principle or logic
- Divine Word or Expression
Translation Options:
- “word” – captures basic meaning but misses philosophical depth
- “reason” – emphasizes rational/logical aspect
- “divine expression” – conveys theological significance
R – Reviewing Morphology
Noun Features:
- Case: Nominative, Genitive, Dative, Accusative
- Number: Singular, Plural
- Gender: Masculine
- Declension: Second declension
Example morphological forms:
- Nominative singular: λόγος
- Genitive singular: λόγου
- Dative singular: λόγῳ
- Accusative singular: λόγον
Cross-references:
- Verbal form: λέγω (to speak)
- Adjective form: λογικός (logical, reasonable)
S – Studying Lexicon Insights
The richness of λόγος is evident across lexical sources. BDAG emphasizes its range from basic communication to divine self-expression, while Thayer’s highlights its development from classical usage to Christian theology. LSJ provides extensive documentation of secular Greek usage, showing its evolution from simple “word” to philosophical principle. Vine’s emphasizes its connection to Christ as the living Word, while Moulton and Milligan demonstrate its varied usage in everyday Koine Greek. Strong’s connects it to the root λέγω, emphasizing the gathering and ordering aspect of the word. LEH provides valuable insight into its usage in the Septuagint, bridging Hebrew and Greek thought.
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T – Tracing Related Scriptures
First appearance:
But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause [λόγος: word/cause/reason] of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery. Matthew 5:32
Additional References:
John 1:1, John 1:14, Hebrews 4:12, Revelation 19:13, 1 John 1:1
A– Analyzing Classical Usage
| Author: Work | Text |
|---|---|
| Heraclitus: On Nature | “Although this Logos [λόγος] is eternal, men are unable to understand it” |
| Plato: Republic | “And therefore the argument [λόγος] leads to the conclusion that the soul is immortal” |
| Aristotle: Rhetoric | “Persuasion is achieved by the speaker’s personal character when the speech [λόγος] is so spoken as to make us think him credible” |
N – Noteworthy Summary
The λόγος stands as one of the most pivotal concepts in both biblical and philosophical thought, serving as a bridge between Greek philosophy and Christian theology. Its rich meaning encompasses not just verbal communication but the very principle of divine reason and creative power. In Christ, we see the perfect unity of word and deed, reason and revelation. This profound concept reminds us that God’s self-expression in Christ is both perfectly rational and deeply personal, offering us not just information but transformation through relationship with the living Word.
D – Did You Know?
- The term λόγος gave us modern words like “logic,” “logistics,” and “-ology” suffixes.
- In Stoic philosophy, λόγος was considered the principle that organizes the cosmos, akin to divine reason or law.
- The term λόγος is foundational to early Christian apologetics, particularly in the writings of the Church Fathers, who used it to explain the Messiah’s divine nature.
- In the Septuagint, the Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible, λόγος frequently translates the Hebrew word “dabar,” which means “word” or “matter.”
Note: While this entry strives for accuracy, readers engaged in critical research should verify citations independently. For Biblical citations, the F.O.G Bible project recommends Logos Bible software.
Note: While this entry strives for accuracy, readers engaged in critical research should verify citations independently. For Biblical citations, the F.O.G Bible project recommends Logos Bible software.
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