God bless you and keep you for answering our questions daily. Please tell me the significance of the Greek words “Logos” and “Rhema” which, I was told in our Church meeting, are both translated as the Word of God. What do these 2 words mean in the New Testament when each is used and, is understanding their meaning useful and important to our Christian walk?
Strictly speaking the two words mean the same thing, which is to speak or say something, and the Bible uses them interchangeably. However within Pentecostal/Charismatic circles Logos is used to describe the written Word of God while Rhema refers to the spoken Word of God. Some further expand the definition of Rhema to include words of knowledge or prophecies given by believers in the exercise of their Spiritual gifts, because in a sense these are the spoken words of God. They’re simply being spoken by the believer on God’s behalf.
There’s a fair amount of abuse in this regard by people trying to assign more authority to something they’re saying than it may merit. Since there’s no way of knowing for sure that a “Rhema Word” we are being given is truly from the Lord, I always caution believers to apply the Logos (written word) that a matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses (2 Cor. 13:1). Wait for independent confirmation before acting on any advice or direction someone gives you, even if the person calls it a Rhema Word. If it’s really from the Lord, He’ll provide a confirmation.