Truth
Summary
Truth in Scripture denotes conformity to fact, divine reality, and the revelation of God culminating in Jesus Christ, who declared Himself to be 'the way, the truth, and the life.'
☩Philosophical Aspects
Truth has been distinguished philosophically according to being, knowledge, and speech. Ontological truth is that by which a thing is what it is, having reality of being rather than mere appearance. Truth of knowledge is the conformity of our understanding with the reality of the object known. Truth of speech consists in the adequacy or conformity of signs to the things signified. Scientific truth is the conformity of thoughts to things; moral truth lies in the correspondence of words with thoughts; and logical truth depends on the self-consistency of thoughts themselves.
☩Truth as Divine Attribute
God is eminently truth—in Him is no fallacy, deception, or perverseness. This is one of His essential attributes; He keeps truth forever. His truth is abundant, inviolable, and enduring to all generations. His ways, works, judicial statutes, and word are all characterized by truth. God's truth serves as a shield and buckler to His people, providing protection and security.
☩Christ as the Truth
Jesus Christ, being God, is the truth—the true way to God and the true representative of the Father. In the Fourth Gospel, 'truth' represents the higher, heavenly reality of things, transcendent and absolute, manifested in the incarnate Word. Jesus declared, 'I am the way, the truth, and the life.' Truth cannot be separated from the Lord Jesus; He and it are identified. To know the truth is to be made free.
☩The Spirit of Truth
The Holy Spirit is called the Spirit of truth, who communicates truth, maintains truth in believers, and guides them into all truth. He hates and punishes falsehood. The Spirit interprets the life of Jesus Christ to human experience and illuminates the Scriptures. Through the Spirit, truth is brought home to the heart and mind of people.
☩Christianity as the Truth
Christianity is specially designated 'the truth' in opposition to both Judaism and paganism. Contrasted with the Jewish system, it was the reality as distinguished from emblems, symbols, and 'the shadow of good things to come.' The law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. Contrasted with paganism, Christianity was truth opposed to falsehood, demanding genuine belief rather than mere conformity to institutions. The Church is described as 'the pillar and ground of the truth.'
☩Receiving and Obeying Truth
Truth must be received in the soul, not merely held as dogma. Paul asked the Galatians who had hindered them from obeying the truth. Judgment comes upon those who receive not the love of the truth that they might be saved. The wicked resist truth, are destitute of it, and are punished for its absence. Saints are called to worship God in truth, serve Him in truth, and walk before Him in truth.
Related Verses240 mentions
See Also
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Truth," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. X (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.James Hastings (ed.), "Truth," in Dictionary of the Apostolic Church, vol. II (T. & T. Clark, 1915–1918).
- 3.James Hastings (ed.), "Truth," in Dictionary of Christ and the Gospels, vol. II (T. & T. Clark, 1906–1908).
- 4.George Morrish, "Truth," in Morrish's Concise Bible Dictionary (George Morrish, 1898).