Who Needs a Dictionary?
How connotation words block our understanding of the Bible
Have you ever wondered why there are so many English translations of the Bible? English words have changed in meaning over time, so careful translators are always looking for the right word to convey the original intent of an ancient author to the mind of a modern man.
Not only have word meanings shifted over time, the way we use language has shifted as well. The way we use words nowadays, specifically our preference for connotation over definitions, can hinder our Bible study if we are not careful.
Connotations: How Words Feel
In the 21st century, we rely heavily on what is called “connotation” to determine the meaning of a word. “Connotation” is how you feel when you hear a word, the images that come to mind. We have a sense of what a word means, and are satisfied without pushing for a clear and agreed upon definition.
So, for example, the word “faith” brings to mind different things for different people. One person might use “faith” as a generic term to refer to religion, or to their own personal form of spirituality. Another might feel in the word “faith” a kind of hoping in what can’t be seen or known for sure.
A Christian might use “faith” to refer to believing in Jesus, or the tenets of the Christian faith, but another might use “faith” to mean a general belief that everything will work out for good in the end.
Modern man is very comfortable communicating using connotation, where the meaning of a word can change based on who is using it. Meanings are fluid and fluffy and hard to pin down. This makes understanding the Bible difficult because we bring our own feelings and experience to the words of the text, but we often do not take the time to find out what the author actually meant to convey in choosing a specific word.
It also means when we are discussing the text in our small groups we may not be communicating as clearly as we think we are, because what I mean when I say “faith” or “love” may not match another person’s connotation.
Definitions: What Words Mean
Instead of relying on connotations when we study the Bible, we need to think in terms of definitions. This is where the fact that the Bible was originally written in a foreign language is of great advantage to us.
The New Testament, for example, was written in Greek. There are many sources of Greek texts besides the Bible which were written at the same time, and scholars have been able to compare the use of the words in the Bible with how those same words were used in other texts.
These comparisons, along with the context of the passage, have given translators a good idea of the definitions of the words. We can access those definitions using a Hebrew or Greek Bible Dictionary online.
If you haven’t yet tried this, now may be a good time to start looking up English definitions of the Greek or Hebrew words. Two good sources are biblehub.com and blueletterbible.com. If you are intimidated by the thought of using a Greek-English dictionary, even a regular English dictionary can help propel you from relying on connotations to using definitions.
What is the Meaning of "Kindness"?
Next time you dive into the Word, notice words which are familiar and evoke a certain feeling. These words may be loaded with connotation. As you study, notice the feelings you associate with the words, but see also if you can actually articulate exactly what they mean.
For example, what, exactly, is “kindness”? For me this word has a feeling of general niceness, like a smile. It has a positive connotation. But when I look up the Greek definition I discover it has a deeper meaning. Kindness refers to “useful goodness.” It is a goodness that meets a specific need.
The injunction in Colossians 3:12 to “put on kindness,” then, has inside it an awareness of the needs of others that goes beyond general “niceness.” My connotation wasn’t big enough to convey that.
Dictionary: a tool for Deeper Riches
Our understanding of God’s Word will be greatly enriched by attempting to find out exactly what His words mean. Thankfully, we live in an age where the definitions are literally at our fingertips. May learning the definite meaning of words grant you deeper riches of understanding, and may that understanding propel you to worship with greater joy.
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