"Logos" vs. "Rhema"

 

"Logos" vs. "Rhema"

John 1:1 - In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God

Matt 4:4 - Man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God

Eph 5:26 - Cleansing her by the washing with water through the word (rhema)

 

Analysis Item	Logos (λόγος)	Rhema (ῥῆμα)
Basic Definition	God's eternal, unchanging Word; written revelation; objective truth	God's immediate, spoken Word; present revelation; subjective experience
Greek Original Meaning	Reason, logic, principle, eternal word	Spoken word, utterance, immediate expression
Nature & Characteristics	• Eternal, immutable • Objective, universal • Written, recorded • Rational, logical	• Immediate, present • Subjective, personal • Spoken, vocal • Experiential, practical
Time Dimension	Eternal, unchanging, permanent, transcendent	Immediate, present, now, specific moment
Target Scope	All believers, universal, objective standard	Individual, specific situation, subjective guidance
Form of Expression	Written Word recorded in Scripture	Immediate word communicated through the Spirit
New Testament Usage	~330 times, mainly referring to gospel, truth, teaching	~70 times, mainly referring to personal guidance, specific revelation
Key Scriptures	John 1:14 - The Word became flesh and dwelt among us 2 Tim 3:16 - All Scripture is God-breathed Heb 4:12 - The word of God is living and active 1 Pet 1:25 - The word of the Lord endures forever Luke 8:11 - The seed is the word of God Eph 6:17 - The sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God John 17:17 - Your word is truth	John 6:63 - The words I have spoken to you are spirit and life Eph 6:17 - The sword of the Spirit, which is the word (rhema) of God Rom 10:17 - Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word (rhema) of Christ 1 Pet 1:25 - This is the word (rhema) that was preached to you Rev 2:7 - What the Spirit says to the churches Rev 22:17 - The Spirit and the bride say, "Come!"
Method of Obtaining	• Bible study • Truth investigation • Systematic theology • Rational analysis	• Prayer and waiting • Listening to the Spirit • Life fellowship • Spiritual inspiration
Verification Standard	Scripture as ultimate authority	Must align with biblical truth, cannot contradict logos
Primary Functions	• Establish faith foundation • Understand objective truth • Provide truth standard • Build faith structure	• Personal life guidance • Immediate spiritual help • Cleansing and washing • Life renewal and transformation
Permanence	Eternal, unchanging, transcends time	Specific to particular moments, time-sensitive
Mode of Communication	Through biblical authors, written record	Through the Spirit's direct communication, immediate speaking
Spiritual Significance	• Truth foundation: Provides objective truth standard • Faith building: Establishes solid faith foundation • Life sustenance: Supplies spiritual life needs • Sanctification tool: Sanctifies through truth	• Personal guidance: Guidance in specific situations • Immediate supply: Help in times of need • Cleansing wash: Cleanses defilement through immediate word • Life renewal: Brings inner life transformation
Church Application	• Truth teaching: Bible study, Sunday messages • Faith transmission: Truth courses, discipleship • Heresy discernment: Apologetics, truth defense • Foundation building: Systematic truth teaching	• Personal shepherding: Personal fellowship, intercession • Meeting supply: Testimonies, sharing • Life building: Life-study, morning revival • Immediate guidance: Spirit's present speaking
Dangers & Warnings	• Remaining only in letter knowledge • Lacking life reality • Rationalistic tendency • Ignoring Spirit's work	• Departing from scriptural foundation • Prone to subjective deviation • Individualistic tendency • Ignoring objective truth
Mutual Relationship	Provides verification standard and truth foundation for rhema	Applies logos to specific life situations
Balance Principles	• Rhema cannot depart from logos • Any rhema must align with scriptural logos • Need both objective truth foundation and subjective experiential reality • From logos to rhema, from knowledge to experience, from objective to subjective
Watchman Nee's Teaching	"Logos refers to something eternally established, something objective... it is God's word recorded in the Bible"	"Rhema is the spoken word... it is God's word spoken at any time... to let us know what we personally touch, to show us what should be dealt with, what should be cleansed"
Ephesians 5:26-27 Application	Provides the truth foundation and standard for washing	Christ as the life-giving Spirit, through immediate word, washes and cleanses the church, producing inner transformation
Practical Life Application	• Establish Bible reading life • Systematically learn truth • Build faith foundation • Discern heresies	• Cultivate prayer life • Learn to listen to the Spirit • Seek personal guidance • Experience word washing
Growth Stages	Initial: Establish basic truth understanding	Advanced: Experience God's immediate speaking on truth foundation
Ultimate Goal	Build solid foundation upon Christ, the eternal Word	Experience Christ as life-giving Spirit's immediate speaking and washing

 

Conclusion:

Both logos and rhema are God's Word, but each has distinct characteristics and functions. Logos provides the objective truth foundation, while rhema brings subjective life experience. In Christian life, we need to:

1.      Root in Logos - Establish solid truth foundation

2.      Experience Rhema - Listen to God's immediate speaking in daily life

3.      Balanced Development - Have both truth equipment and Spirit's guidance

4.      Mutual Verification - Use logos to verify rhema, use rhema to apply logos

As Watchman Nee said: "If we have 'rhema,' God's living speaking, we can be washed and become sanctified." This is built upon the foundation of understanding biblical logos truth.

 

*Please refer to the 2025 Memorial Day Blending Conference. General Topic: Preparation of the Bride. Chapter 4 The Beauty of the Bride