Translating Divine Reality in Human Language Theologically
The Bible presents the communication of divine reality in human language as a central theme, emphasizing that God's truth is conveyed through words that are distinct from human wisdom [1, 3]. This process is not merely a rational exercise but occurs "in the dimension and power of the Spirit" [6].
Scripture itself attests to the divine origin and power of these words. Paul states that believers received a "spoken word from us—which was God’s," welcoming it "not as a human word, but, even as it truly is, a divine word" [3]. This divine word is described as actively "working itself in you who believe" [3]. Similarly, the author of Hebrews notes that "by faith we understand that the world was framed by the word of God: that from invisible things visible things might be made" [2]. The mystery of godliness is articulated as God being "manifested in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of Angels, preached unto the Gentiles, beleeued on in the world, and receiued vp in glorie" [4].
The communication of spiritual truths requires a spiritual means, as "things which we also speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in words taught by the Spirit, explaining spiritual things to spiritual people" [1]. This suggests a distinction between human intellectual understanding and spiritual discernment, which is empowered by the Holy Spirit [6]. The ability to prophesy, for instance, is understood not primarily as predicting the future but as speaking a direct message from God [8]. This also necessitates the gift of discerning whether a message originates from the Spirit of God or another source [8].
The incarnation of Christ is a profound example of divine reality being expressed in human form. John Gill, commenting on Colossians 2:9, explains that "in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily," referring to Christ's human nature in which the Godhead resides in the "highest and most exalted" manner [10]. Adam Clarke, in his commentary on Philippians 2:11, notes that the exaltation of Christ's human nature glorifies God the Father, illustrating divine attributes and magnifying the divine law [5].
The purpose of such divine communication is not only for understanding but also for practical godliness. Matthew Henry emphasizes that all revealed truths should lead to advancement in "practical godliness," urging believers to depart from sin in light of future events [7]. The miraculous gift of tongues, for example, was intended as a sign for unbelievers to demonstrate God's work and encourage their embrace of the Gospel [9].
Sources
- I Corinthians “I Corinthians 2:13 (LEB) — things which we also speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in words taught by the Spirit, explaining spiritual things to spiritual people.”
- Hebrews “Hebrews 11:3 (DRC) — By faith we understand that the world was framed by the word of God: that from invisible things visible things might be made.”
- I Thessalonians “I Thessalonians 2:13 (Rotherham) — And, for this cause, we, are also giving thanks unto God unceasingly, that, when ye received a spoken word from us—which was God’s, ye welcomed it—not as a human word, but, even as it truly is, a divine word,—which is also inwardly working itself in you who believe.”
- I Timothy “I Timothy 3:16 (Geneva1599) — And without controuersie, great is the mysterie of godlinesse, which is, God is manifested in the flesh, iustified in the Spirit, seene of Angels, preached vnto the Gentiles, beleeued on in the world, and receiued vp in glorie.”
- Philippians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Philippians 2:11: And that every tongue should confess - That all those before mentioned should acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, or absolute governor, and thus glorify God the Father, who has exalted this human nature to this state of ineffable glory, in virtue of its passion, death, resurrection, and the atonement which it has made, by which so many attributes of the Divine nature have become illustrated, the Divine law magnified and made honorable, and an eternal glory provided for man. Others by things in heaven understand the holy angels; by things on earth, human bein”
- 1 Corinthians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Corinthians 2:13: 2:13 using the Spirit’s words to explain spiritual truths: Just as spiritual wisdom is different from human wisdom, so the way spiritual wisdom is taught must be different from the way human wisdom is taught. The communicating and learning of spiritual truth must be done in the dimension and power of the Spirit; it is not simply a rational, human exercise.”
- 2 Peter (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on 2 Peter 3:11: The apostle, having instructed them in the doctrine of Christ's second coming, I. Takes occasion thence to exhort them to purity and godliness in their whole conversation: all the truths which are revealed in scripture should be improved for our advancement in practical godliness: this is the effect that knowledge must produce, or we are never the better for it. If you know these things, happy are you if you do them. Seeing all these things must be dissolved, how holy should we be, that are assured of it, departing from and dying to sin, that has so corrupted and”
- 1 Corinthians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Corinthians 12:10: 12:10 The ability to prophesy does not refer primarily to predicting the future, but to speaking a special message directly from God (see 11:4-5; 13:2, 8; 14:1-25, 29-33; 1 Thes 5:20; cp. Acts 13:1-2; 21:4, 10-11). • The ability to discern whether a message is from the Spirit of God or from another spirit is a necessary gift for any Christian community that is open to hearing a word directly from God (see 1 Cor 14:29; 1 Thes 5:19-21; cp. Acts 16:16-18; 1 Jn 4:1-3). • For Paul, the ability to speak in unknown languages here refers to spiritual language that”
- 1 Corinthians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on 1 Corinthians 14:22: Wherefore tongues are for a sign - The miraculous gift of tongues was never designed for the benefit of those who have already believed, but for the instruction of unbelievers, that they might see from such a miracle that this is the work of God; and so embrace the Gospel. But as, in the times of the prophet, the strange Babylonish tongues came in the way of punishment, and not in the way of mercy; take heed that it be not the case now: that, by dwelling on the gift, ye forget the Giver; and what was designed for you as a blessing, may prove to you to be a c”
- Colossians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Colossians 2:9: For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. This is to be understood, not of the doctrine, or Gospel of Christ, as being a perfect revelation of the will of God; but of Christ, and particularly of his human nature, as consisting of a true body and a reasonable soul, in which the Godhead dwells in a most eminent manner: God indeed is everywhere by his powerful presence, was in the tabernacle and temple in a very singular manner, and dwells in the saints in a way of special grace; but resides in the human nature of Christ, in the highest and most exalt”