The true meaning of the word ‘God’ – The Trinity Doctrine

Part 01 – The Trinity Doctrine
Part 02 – Who is the Most High God?
Part 03 – Who and what is Jesus?
Part 04 – The true meaning of ‘God’
Part 05 – Supporting the Trinity
Part 06 – Pre-Nicene writings
Part 07 – Development of the Trinity
Part 08 – Why challenge the Trinity
Part 09 – Trinity Doctrine conclusion
Part 10 – An Apostasy
Part 11 – 100 indisputable proof verses
Part 12 – What is your confession?
Part 13 – The Roman Catholic faith
Part 14 – Trinity Doctrine resources

An important but much overlooked fact when understanding the word ‘God ‘in the bible is that both the Old and New Testament are translated from a number of different words and each original Hebrew or Greek word for ‘God’ have a wide range of uses.

Theos

Theos {theh’-os} is by far the most common Greek word that we translate as God or god. Below are the possible meanings of the word ‘theos’.

1) a god or goddess, a general name of deities or divinities
3) spoken of the only and true God
3a) refers to the things of God
3b) his counsels, interests, things due to him
4) whatever can in any respect be likened unto God, or resemble him in any way
4a) God’s representative or viceregent
4a1) of magistrates and judges

So the Father is God because of his authority. However God the author also sends messengers with his authority, so when our Father anoints someone to speak His words, that person is can be given the title ‘god’ whether he be an angel or a man. Also, someone or something that takes takes the place of God is also called a god, in particular a false god. In addition, the word god can be used when describing something great, like a great earthquake.

Let’s now look at some biblical verses that apply the word God (Theos) to denote different identities or as a description.

Below we see a verse where the word ‘theos’ is used when referring to the Father.

The Father

Ephesians 1:3 (English-NIV)
Praise be to the God (theos) and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.

Satan

The word ‘theos’ in the next verse is used to describe Satan / The Devil as he is the god of this world/age.

2 Corinthians 4:4 (English-NIV)
The god (theos) of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God (theos).

Man

The word (theos) is also used to describe man / judges.

John 10:34 (English-NIV)
Jesus answered them, “Is it not written in your Law, `I have said you are gods (theos)’

The Old Testament was written in Hebrew and again we see that the word “God” can apply to our Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, Angelic & Demonic powers, mankind, idols, and even things or events.

El

The NIV & NASB translate the following 3 words as God “el” “eloah” & “elohim”
Each is a generic term, meaning “God” or “mighty one”.
Normally when one of these words occur in the OT, it designates either the true God or something that the pagan nations viewed as a god. In a few instances these words are also used of angels and human beings.

The Father

Below is a scripture that shows that the Father is God.

Malachi 2:10 (English-NIV)
Have we not all one Father ? Did not one God (El) create us?
Why do we profane the covenant of our fathers by breaking faith with one another?

Jesus Christ

The next verse uses the Hebrew word “eloah” which used to describe Jesus.
We will be looking at this scripture in more depth in Part 5 (Scriptures used to support the Trinity Doctrine).

Isaiah 9:6 (English-NIV)
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God (El), Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Idols

The following verse uses ‘Elohim’ to denote idols.

Exodus 20:23 (English-NIV)
Do not make any gods (Elohim) to be alongside me; do not make for yourselves gods (Elohim) of silver or gods (Elohim) of gold.

Elohim

The word “Elohim” is the most common word that is translated God in the Old Testament.

The Father

Genesis 1:1 (English-NIV) says:
In the beginning God (Elohim) created the heavens and the earth.

Man / Judges

“Elohim” can also be ascribed to Man. See next the verse.

Psalms 82:6 (English-NIV)
“I said, `You are “gods” (Elohim); you are all sons of the Most High.’

When Jesus said “you are gods (theos)”, as quoted previously on this page, he was actually quoting the above Psalm.

Angels

And, angels are called gods in Psalm 97:7. This verse is actually quoted in the Hebrews 1:6 and it is referring to the Angels.

Psalm 97:7
All who worship images are put to shame, those who boast in idols; worship him, all you gods (Elohim)!

Earthquake or City

Finally the word elohim can be used to describe something that was exceedingly great like an earthquake or a city.

1 Samuel 14:15
And there was trembling in the host, in the field, and among all the people: the garrison, and the spoilers, they also trembled, and the earth quaked: so it was a very great (elohim) trembling.

Jonah 3:3
So Jonah arose and went to Nineveh according to the word of the Lord. Now Nineveh was an exceedingly (elohim) great city, a three days’ walk.

Conclusion

These scriptures clearly show us the wide usage of the word that we know as God/god. It is a term or title that is used to identify God but is not always used in that sense. Rather it is a term that can apply to many types of authority, to idols, and even to things that are very great.

When the word God is being used to identify an authority, it is important to read the context because The Most High God is completely different to the god of this age and saying that God is always the one true God of Heaven and Earth, then we can mistakenly make Satan the one true God. In other words the type of God that is being referred to is determined by the adjective or context of the sentence. It is incorrect to read the word ‘God’ as the Most High God in every case. In fact the very term ‘Most High God’ leads us to conclude that there must be lesser gods.

We know that the word ‘Elohim’ is a term or title and not a name, but does God have a name? Yes he does. ‘YHWH’ which is called the “tetragrammaton,” meaning “the four letters,” is the revealed name of God, which scholars translate as Yahweh, Jehovah, Yahvah amongst others. Knowing that there is no such letter in Hebrew that makes the sound of a ‘J’, there are many Hebrew names that contain an emphasis on the *Yah* sound. Even Jesus name in Hebrew has this sound. ‘Yahshua’ is Jesus name in Hebrew and it is where we get the English name Joshua. But the word Yahweh is not actually a translation of the tetragrammaton, it is a transliteration meaning the sounds of those original Hebrew letters have been reproduced into another language. Other biblical names that have been transliterated include: Abraham, which in Hebrew is pronounced Abrawhawm and Sarah is pronounced Sawraw. Today if the president of the USA goes to Germany they will pronounce his name rather than change it into a German word of the same meaning. In the same way ‘Yahweh’ should be pronounced exactly the same in all languages.

God first reveals his name in Exodus.3:15 and Psalm 135:13
And Elohim said moreover unto Moses, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, YHWH, Elohim of your fathers, the Elohim of Abraham, the Elohim of Isaac, and the Elohim of Jacob, hath sent me unto you: this is my name for ever, and this is my memorial unto all generations.

God’s response to Moses, shows us clearly that ‘God’ (Elohim) is not a name, but a title and we saw earlier how this particular title can refer to others including men, angels, and false gods.

Understanding the usage of the word theos and elohim in scripture clearly shows that these words are ascribed to more than God Almighty, especially when there is mentions of another person or thing. And the assumption that all who are called theos that are not the Almighty are by reason of that, a false theos, is not true either. Scripture applies theos and elohim in a positive way to men and angels. And can an earthquake be a false God?

Knowing that the Father is predominately the one being referred to when we see the word God, as pointed out, it is not always exclusively the Father. How many times is Jesus called God? Well let’s put it into perspective. Overwhelmingly it is the Father. Secondly, the term is used of false gods. Finally Jesus, angels, men, and Satan are mentioned only once  to a few times.


Discussion

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Viewing 20 posts - 21 through 40 (of 351 total)
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  • #811627
    kerwin
    Participant

    Nick,

    You are looking for faults where they may not exist.

    Insertion is common in English translations as Koine Greek needed fewer words to say the same thing.

    Once again does the insertion change the message of the gospel?

    #811629
    NickHassan
    Participant

    Hi KW,

    Presumption is Ok for you as a substitute for truth?

    Thus you make yourself the arbiter of truth.

    #811633
    kerwin
    Participant

    Nick,

    You are avoiding my question.

    #811634
    kerwin
    Participant

    Nick

    Mark 13:6Authorized (King James) Version (AKJV)

    6 for many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.

    The word Christ is inserted in this passage as well. It is the same type of decision that led to the NIV replacing a pronoun with the name Jesus. Most stick with “I am he” though even then the “he” is inserted.

    The difference is that I do not disagree with the technical choice of “Christ” or “he”.

    We are not to be concerned with technicalities but only with the truth.

    I am more concerned with Job 19:25-27 where the message is drastically different from one translation to the next. The pertinent verse is Job 19:26

    American Standard Version
    And after my skin, even this body , is destroyed, Then without my flesh shall I see God;

    World English Bible
    After my skin is destroyed, then in my flesh shall I see God,

    As you can see they have been translated to opposing messages.

    #811638
    NickHassan
    Participant

    Hi KW,

    Yes.

    Test all things and hold fast to what is good.

    My words are spirit and truth.

    Thy word is truth.

     

    Fear God.

    Respect the word.

    Find it written and find supporting verses.

     

     

     

    #811641
    kerwin
    Participant

    Nick,

    I agree!

    #811667
    NickHassan
    Participant

    Hi KW,

    It is not a mere technicality when Christ is written when it is the Father being spoken about.

    Fear God.

     

    #811907
    Proclaimer
    Participant

    I challenge the writer of this posting to rewrite it using only the KJV not the NIV and see if it supports what he is writing.

    If you cared for the truth, your response would be to check it out yourself and to dig deeper like reading the Greek etc.

    Leaving it there because of bias toward a translation doesn’t look to me like you really care about the truth of this verse. I could be wrong, but that is an easy conclusion to come to if you leave the onus on the writer of that page.

    #811915
    terraricca
    Participant

    hi

    Mk 13:6 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.KJV

    Mk 13:6 Many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am he,’ and will deceive many.NIV

    to me it means the same thing ,but if we compere it with the other gospels then we can have the real meaning of it

    #811919
    kerwin
    Participant

    Nick,

    Hi KW,

    It is not a mere technicality when Christ is written when it is the Father being spoken about.

    Fear God.

    I am sure God will judge those individuals whom chose to interpret it according but as for me my calling is to interpret it to the truth and not argue about words. The exception is if it is not possible to interpret it do the truth.

    #811920
    NickHassan
    Participant

    Hi KW,

    Yes you seem to believe you are the arbiter of truth.

    Others raise their eyebrows at such a claim.

    #811921
    kerwin
    Participant

    Terrarica,

    I have not been inspired to check it in other passages.

    #811922
    terraricca
    Participant

    yeah ,many think that God describe the heaven and that the heaven are like the earth ? wrong

    some cannot see that Jesus and God his father have two different authorities ,they not see that the disciples that will reign with Jesus also have received a authority but not the same has Christ not of his father ,

    they so blind to the truth of the scriptures spirit ,that they only see the ink and paper ,

     

    all translation are corrupt ,but not the message in it ,but you have to learn what the real message is before you can follow it ,and for that you have to walk in the truth first ,you see those are steps to make and to follow and one give to the other ,

    God = means the supreme being ; the one known to Adam ,

    and the one known to Moses ,and Jesus ,and to those that walk has Jesus did ,

     

     

    #811924
    kerwin
    Participant

    Nick,

    Would it not be wiser for them to learn to judge the spirit?

    The Spirit is determine what is beneficial for the gospel.

    God uses Satan’s actions to do good. It is wise to learn from his perfect example and not be snared is technicalities.

    #811946
    terraricca
    Participant

    kerwin

    I have not been inspired to check it in other passages.

    =================================================================================

    you can only be inspired with the same effort you give to God ,think

    #811960
    NickHassan
    Participant

    Hi KW,

    Your foundation is not the rock of the Spirit but your own intellect.

    Fear God.

    #811975
    terraricca
    Participant

    Nick

    for you think yours is any better ? you are a false teacher period ,end of story

    #811981
    kerwin
    Participant

    Nick,

    Hi KW,

    Your foundation is not the rock of the Spirit but your own intellect.

    Fear God.

    Should I point out mind = intellect or are you already aware and breathing out words that you know are without truth.

    Romans 7:25Authorized (King James) Version (AKJV)

    25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.

    1 Chronicles 28:9Authorized (King James) Version (AKJV)

    9 And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind: for the Lord searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou seek him, he will be found of thee; but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever.

    I have more trouble with my heart which is fond of self indulgence. If you want to accuse me then accuse me there as my guilt is great.

    #811983
    NickHassan
    Participant

    Hi KW,

    Only submitted minds are led by the Spirit.

    Be transformed by the renewal of your mind.

    #811984
    kerwin
    Participant

    Nick,

    If you mean to speak in generalities and not make accusations then it is wisest to use a third person pronoun instead of a second.

    If instead you are making an accusation then be careful you are not accusing falsely.

    In either case it appears that you seek to divert the conversation for some reason or another. Is your reason righteous.

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