Words matter. They come from God, and they reveal Him to us. When we open Scripture, we encounter not only God’s words, but also repeated references to the “Word of God.” The Old Testament alone uses this phrase around 400 times (for instance, Genesis 1, where God speaks creation into existence and declares it “good”). In the New Testament, God Himself is described as the Word (see John 1:1, where the term logos—Word, idea, wisdom—is identified with Jesus). From these biblical examples, it’s clear that words lie at the center of our understanding of God.
This central emphasis on words explains why Christians go to such lengths to translate the Bible into different languages. In contrast, some other religions (like Hinduism or Islam) prefer to keep their sacred texts in original languages. But Christians believe God’s Word should be accessible to all.
God’s Word in Scripture and Beyond
We often use “God’s Word” in several overlapping ways:
1. God’s Word Refers to God’s Being
• Words aren’t just physical objects; they represent something else. In Scripture, “God’s Word” sometimes serves as a metaphor for God Himself.
• God’s communication, though, is far more powerful and perfect than ours. He cannot be contained by the words we use.
• Therefore, “God’s Word” can be used to refer to God in His fullness—His speech, His presence, and His identity. Jesus, in fact, is called the “Word.”
Even though we speak of “word” as a metaphor for God’s speech, His voice can sound familiar: in 1 Samuel 3, young Samuel mistakes God’s voice for a human one.
“When God speaks he externalizes who he is; his words represent his values, his will, and his existence. A divinity who has no will and does not reveal himself is a god that does not really exist…”
2. God’s Word Refers to God’s Action
• Words are not idle. Words inform, create, influence, and accomplish things.
• When God speaks, something happens. His Word performs actions—issuing promises, verdicts, warnings, blessings, and more. (Fretheim, Anchor Bible Dictionary, 962)
• God’s Word activates His will in the world. By speaking, God makes decisions that alter reality.
For instance, a police officer who says “You’re under arrest” wields authority that instantly creates a new situation. How much more when God, who has all authority, speaks!
“The word of God is always an intentional, never an idle word…The word activates the will of God; it represents a decision by God to accomplish what God wants to accomplish…Having been addressed by the word of God, that situation is decisively altered.” (Fretheim, ABD)
3. God’s Word as Revelation
• Words reveal what’s hidden. We might guess about someone’s feelings from their expression, but only their spoken or written words clarify what they truly think.
• Similarly, God uses words to reveal Himself and what is otherwise unknown.
• We know God because He chose to communicate through language. In Deuteronomy 30:14, “the word” is synonymous with God’s law and thus reveals His will.
4. God’s Word and Relationship
• Words between people establish interaction, understanding, and connection. The same is true of God’s Word.
• Through words, God addresses us, invites our response, and establishes communion with us.
In the ancient world, many peoples wrote about their gods using the idea of divine speech. For example, the Egyptians described their gods as speaking creation into being and commanding other deities. Yet, compared to these “other gods,” the God of Israel is unique:
• Yahweh speaks more often and more directly (e.g., Moses, Elijah).
• Yahweh speaks personally, establishing ongoing interaction with His people.
• In contrast to mute idols, Yahweh is a God who communicates to develop a relationship with His creation.
Through words, God reveals His intentions and invites us to respond. In other words, Yahweh’s communication isn’t merely cosmic noise—it’s relational, meant to draw people to Himself.
The Impact
Because words originate from God and carry such significance, how should they matter to us?
1. We Should Care About Words
• If God values communication, so should we. Ignoring reading, writing, or speaking essentially disregards the very means God uses to reach us.
• Words didn’t begin with us; they began with God. Respecting words is part of respecting Him.
2. Being: We Reflect God Through Language
• We are made in God’s image, and part of that image-bearing involves using words.
• Reading and writing, especially in service of truth and worship, can be an act of praising God.
3. Action: We Accomplish Tasks With Words
• Much of our work—business proposals, contracts, newsletters—depends on effective communication.
• Words shape history (think of Martin Luther’s 95 Theses or Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream”).
• Our words are not trivial; they can lead to real-world change.
4. Revelation: We Transform Culture Through Writing
• By writing, we can alter perceptions and attitudes, fulfilling our role as stewards of creation.
• Religious texts, political declarations, and social justice documents have always changed worldviews.
• Most importantly, words allow us to share the gospel message.
5. Relationship: We Nurture Connections When We Write
• As Proverbs reminds time and time again, words encourage, challenge, correct, and show love. They can build others up or tear them down. They bring life or death.
• Therefore, improving our language skills can improve the health of our relationships. Words connect us to other people, so we should care about our words and use them carefully.
Ultimately, words matter to God, and they should matter to us. When we recognize that language comes from Him and is used by Him to reveal Himself and act in our world, we begin to see our own communication in a new light. By caring about our words—how we use them, how we shape them, and how we allow them to shape us—we participate in God’s creative, revelatory, and relational work in the world.