While preaching in James, I came across a phrase I studied then and came across again preparing for a sermon from 2 Timothy chapter 2: “The Word Of Truth”. What does Paul mean when he uses the phrase? What did James think? May first short studies seem to indication they were referring to the Gospel and perhaps at times, the object of the Gospel, Jesus. Here are the texts I started with:
James 1
16 Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. 17 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. 18 He chose to give us birth through the [in or by the] word of truth (λόγῳ ἀληθείας), that we might be a kind of first-fruits of all he created.
2 Tim 2
Warn them before God against quarreling about words; it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen. 15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. 16 Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly.
2 Cor 6:7
4 Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; 5 in beatings, imprisonments and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger; 6 in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; 7 in truthful speech [in the word of truth] and in the power of God (ἐν λόγῳ ἀληθείας, ἐν δυνάμει Θεοῦ); with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left; 8 through glory and dishonor, bad report and good report; genuine, yet regarded as impostors; 9 known, yet regarded as unknown; dying, and yet we live on; beaten, and yet not killed; 10 sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything.
Eph 1:13
13 And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message [word] of truth, the gospel of your salvation (τὸν λόγον τῆς ἀληθείας, τὸ εὐαγγέλιον τῆς σωτηρίας ὑμῶν). When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit,
Col 1:5
3 We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, 4 because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all God’s people— 5 the faith and love that spring from the hope stored up for you in heaven and about which you have already heard in the true message [word of truth, namely, the gospel] of the gospel (ἐν τῷ λόγῳ τῆς ἀληθείας τοῦ εὐαγγελίου*)6 that has come to you. In the same way, the gospel is bearing fruit and growing throughout the whole world—just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and truly understood God’s grace.
*Genitive of Apposition: Provides clarification for ambiguous or metaphoric main noun.
Pastor Chris Hooper 