Topical Bible: The Gospel is Called the Word of Truth

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Topical Encyclopedia

The phrase "the Word of Truth" is a significant designation for the Gospel within the New Testament, emphasizing its divine origin, reliability, and transformative power. This term underscores the Gospel's role as the ultimate revelation of God's truth to humanity, a truth that is both absolute and life-giving.

Biblical References

The Apostle Paul frequently uses the term "the Word of Truth" to describe the Gospel message. In his epistle to the Ephesians, Paul writes, "And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit" (Ephesians 1:13). Here, the Gospel is directly equated with the "word of truth," highlighting its role in the process of salvation and the believer's inclusion in Christ.

Similarly, in Colossians 1:5, Paul refers to the Gospel as "the word of truth" when he states, "the faith and love proceeding from the hope stored up for you in heaven, of which you have already heard in the word of truth, the gospel" . This passage connects the Gospel with the hope of eternal life, reinforcing its foundational place in Christian doctrine.

In 2 Timothy 2:15, Paul exhorts Timothy to be diligent in handling the word of truth: "Make every effort to present yourself approved to God, an unashamed workman who accurately handles the word of truth" . This instruction underscores the importance of correctly understanding and teaching the Gospel, as it is the true message of God.

Theological Significance

The designation of the Gospel as "the Word of Truth" carries profound theological implications. It affirms the Gospel's divine authority, as truth is an attribute of God Himself. In John 17:17, Jesus prays, "Sanctify them by the truth; Your word is truth" . This connection between God's word and truth is foundational, indicating that the Gospel, as the Word of Truth, is an extension of God's own nature and revelation.

Furthermore, the Gospel as the Word of Truth is central to the believer's sanctification and spiritual growth. James 1:18 states, "He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we would be a kind of firstfruits of His creation" . This verse highlights the regenerative power of the Gospel, which brings about new life in Christ and sets believers apart as God's own.

Practical Implications

For the Christian, understanding the Gospel as the Word of Truth has practical implications for both faith and practice. It calls believers to a life of integrity and authenticity, rooted in the truth of the Gospel. As Paul writes in Ephesians 4:15, "Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into Christ Himself, who is the head" . The truth of the Gospel should permeate every aspect of a believer's life, guiding their words, actions, and relationships.

Moreover, the Gospel as the Word of Truth serves as the foundation for evangelism and discipleship. Believers are entrusted with the responsibility to share this truth with others, as Paul instructs in 2 Corinthians 4:2, "Instead, we have renounced secret and shameful ways. We do not practice deceit, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by open proclamation of the truth, we commend ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God" . The integrity of the Gospel message must be preserved and proclaimed faithfully, as it is the means by which God brings salvation to the world.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Ephesians 1:13
In whom you also trusted, after that you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that you believed, you were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
Torrey's Topical Textbook

James 1:18
Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of first fruits of his creatures.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Word as a Means of Grace
... Lutheran Church, concerning the use and efficacy of the divine Word. ... come to Him;
but the Holy Spirit hath called me through the Gospel, enlightened me ...
/.../the way of salvation in the lutheran church/chapter xvii the word as.htm

Why Jesus Called them an Adulterous Generation. The Law as Husband ...
Origen's Commentary on the Gospel of Matthew. ... because that when the Pharisees and
Sadducees left that which is figuratively called man, the word of truth or ...
/.../origen/origens commentary on the gospel of matthew/4 why jesus called them.htm

That the Logos is One, not Many. Of the Word, Faithful and True ...
Origen's Commentary on the Gospel of John. ... in their rushing course every so-called
word that simulates the Word, and every so-called truth that simulates ...
/.../origen/origens commentary on the gospel of john/4 that the logos is.htm

Origen's Commentary on the Gospel of John
... 15. The Gospel is in the Old Testament, and Indeed in the Whole Universe. Prayer ...
Person. What is Meant When He is Called the Word. 24. Christ ...
//christianbookshelf.org/origen/origens commentary on the gospel of john/

Of the Various Ways in which Christ is the Logos.
Origen's Commentary on the Gospel of John. ... were after the fashion of belching, and
the word has the ... of the things thus produced, and is called, therefore, the ...
/.../origen/origens commentary on the gospel of john/42 of the various ways.htm

"Hear the Word of the Lord, Ye Rulers of Sodom, Give Ear unto the ...
... in our hearts, which rather may be called atheism"we do ... If every word of truth came
stamped with his authority ... When the gospel and the joyful sound comes forth ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon viii hear the word.htm

The Title "Word" is to be Interpreted by the Same Method as the ...
... is behind the meaning of the term "Word." I wonder ... prophecies are made, Matthew shows
in his Gospel, where he ... David also is called Christ, as where Ezekiel in ...
/.../origen/origens commentary on the gospel of john/23 the title word is.htm

The Fourfold Gospel. John's the First Fruits of the Four. ...
... Now we have no written work of Paul which is commonly called a Gospel. ... was Gospel,
it follows that what Peter wrote was also Gospel, and in a word all that ...
/.../origen/origens commentary on the gospel of john/6 the fourfold gospel johns.htm

The Gospel of Matthew
... with the special design of this First Gospel, for it ... was spoken by the prophets,
He shall be called a Nazarene ... is to fail in "rightly dividing the Word of truth ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/why four gospels/the gospel of matthew.htm

How the Word is the Maker of all Things, and Even the Holy Spirit ...
... its seeming corollary, that the Spirit must have been called into being by the Word,
may certainly ... 4684] "and His Spirit," and in the Gospel He declares ...
/.../origen/origens commentary on the gospel of john/6 how the word is.htm