Greek and Christian Logos

Word Count: 499

As a literal concept in English, logos (λόγος) would translate to “word, speech, discourse, or reason”.[1] One potential Greek origin of logos is from the word, leg. This word is most often translated as “to collect”; however, it does have a secondary derivative meaning “to speak”.[2] Interestingly, many times the “dictionary definition” does not encompass the vernacular use of the term in ancient Greece.

To illustrate the variance in the vernacular usage of logos, we turn first to Heraclitus (535–475)[3]. He is credited by scholars to have been the first to write extensively concerning the term logos.[4] Heraclitus is known to have used the term in contexts ranging from it referencing himself to how it determines the course of all that comes to pass.[5] Following him, the Sophists referenced logos in the context of argumentation.[6] Isocrates, entering the discussion near the end of the sophic era, believed logos to be a maker of and a guide to a civilized life.[7] Aristotle in his writings utilized logos as a something similar to a definition or a formula.[8] Following Aristotle, logos became a central pillar to Stoic philosophy describing it as a principle that governs the world . . . and sets the moral law for men.[9]

In addition to ancient Greek texts, another significant place we see the term logos is in the Biblical texts of the New Testament around the first century. Logos (λόγος) is used by various Biblical authors a total of 331 times.[10] Out of these uses the most famous is the opening line of the book of John. John uses the term logos, (“Word”) to delineate Jesus Christ as always having been, having communication with God, and as being divine.[11] Biblical scholars believe the choice by John of logos was created out his thinking of his Hellenistic and Jewish audience and consequently their philosophical leanings. John took one aspect of the Hellenistic concept of logos being “a rational principle that governs all things”[12] and combined it with the Jewish parallel concept of the “revealed word of God”.[13] This formed a new linguistic meaning of logos. Through the use of logos, John was able to convey a central principle of Christianity that Jesus Christ is both divine (is the word of God) and responsible for the rational universe. [14]

We, as critics, have to come to grips on how we are going analyze a text in light of rhetorical theory. Which is more important? The context/historical situation or how we view their words today? This simplistic study of logos provides evidence for the case supporting the importance of historical context. John’s argument becomes significantly more powerful in its attempt to define who Jesus is (whether you believe it or not) when looking at the historical weightiness of the term logos.[15] This example also helps support the concept of why original language can be so important. In rhetorical theory today, it must be emphasized that context and original language be incorporated into the study of any artifact.


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[1] Harper, D. Online Etymological Dictionary. Retrieved September 28, 2009, from

http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=logos
[2] Harper, D.
[3] Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved September 28, 2009, from

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Logos
[4] Encyclopedia of Classical Philosophy (1997). In Devereux D., Mitsis P. (Eds.).
Westport, Connecticut: Greenwood Press, p. 304.
[5] Guthrie, W. K. C. (1962). A History of Greek Philosophy. v.1. London: Cambridge University
Press, p. 418; Encyclopedia of Classical Philosophy, p. 304.
[6] Encyclopedia of Classical Philosophy, p. 304.
[7] Class Notes on 28 September 2009. From Speaking for the Polis, by Takis Poulakos.
[8] Encyclopedia of Classical Philosophy, p. 305.
[9] Encyclopedia of Classical Philosophy, p. 305.
[10] Zondervan NIV Exhaustive Concordance (1999). In Goodrick E., Kohlenberger J. (Eds.).
Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, p. 3350.
[11] English Standard Version Study Bible (2008). In Dennis L. T. (Ed.). Wheaton, IL: Crossway
Bibles, p. 2019.
[12] The NIV Study Bible(1985). In Barker K. (Ed.). Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan
Publishing House, p. 1593.
[13] Vine, W. E. (1985). An Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words with Their Precise
Meanings for English Readers. New York: Thomas Nelson Publishers, p. 683.
[14] The NIV Study Bible, p. 1593.
[15] Chart to facilitate the comparison of some of the Greek and Christian use of logos. (Because of the Blog formatting you have to click on the graph below to view it.)