In the Greek language there are two different words for ‘word,’ logos and rhema. The world was created by the Word, logos, of God. Logos is the general Word of God, stretching from Genesis to Revelation, for all these books directly or indirectly tell about the Word, Jesus Christ. By reading the logos from Genesis to Revelation you can receive all the knowledge you need about God and His promises; but just by reading you do not receive faith. You have received knowledge and understanding about God, but you do not receive faith.
Romans 10:17 shows us that the material used to build faith is more than just reading God’s Word: “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.” In this scripture ‘word’ is not logos, but rhema. Faith specifically comes by hearing the rhema.
In his Greek lexicon Dr. Ironside has defined logos as “the said word of God,” and rhema as “the saying word of God.” Many scholars define this action of rhema as being the Holy Spirit using a few verses of Scripture and quickening it personally to one individual person. Here is my definition of rhema: rhema is a specific word to a specific person in a specific situation.
In his Greek lexicon Dr. Ironside has defined logos as “the said word of God,” and rhema as “the saying word of God.” Many scholars define this action of rhema as being the Holy Spirit using a few verses of Scripture and quickening it personally to one individual person. Here is my definition of rhema: rhema is a specific word to a specific person in a specific situation.
Logos is given to everybody. Logos is common to Koreans, Europeans, Africans and Americans. It is given to all so that they may gain knowledge about God; but rhema is not given to everyone. Rhema is given to that specific person who is waiting upon the Lord until the Holy Spirit quickens logos into rhema. If you never have time to wait upon the Lord, then the Lord can never come and quicken the needed scripture to your heart.
This is a busy age. People come to church and are entertained. They hear a short sermon and are dismissed, without having any time of waiting upon the Lord. They get the logos, but since they do not receive rhema, they miss out on seeing the miraculous workings of God, and begin to doubt His power.
People must come to the main sanctuary, listen attentively to the preacher, and wait upon the Lord. But they do not come and listen prayerfully to the preacher, waiting upon the Lord to receive rhema; therefore, they cannot receive the faith they need for the solutions to their problems. Their knowledge of the Bible increases as their problems increase, and though they come to church, nothing happens. So they begin to fall away and lose faith.
Cho, David Yonggi. The Fourth Dimension: Combined Edition (pp. 84-85). Bridge-Logos Publishers. Kindle Edition.
Cho, David Yonggi. The Fourth Dimension: Combined Edition (pp. 84-85). Bridge-Logos Publishers. Kindle Edition.
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