What is a “Rhema”?
The Word of God
There are two primary Greek words that describe Scripture which are translated word in the New Testament. The first, logos, refers principally to the total inspired Word of God and to Jesus, Who is the living Logos.
Biblical Examples of Logos
The following passages of Scripture give examples of the logos of God:
- “In the beginning was the Word [logos], and the Word [logos] was with God, and the Word [logos] was God” (John 1:1).
- “The seed is the word [logos] of God” (Luke 8:11).
- “Holding forth the word [logos] of life” (Philippians 2:16).
- “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word[logos] of truth” (II Timothy 2:15).
- “For the word [logos] of God is quick, and powerful” (Hebrews 4:12).
- “Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word [logos] of God, which liveth and abideth forever” (I Peter 1:23).
Rhema—The Spoken Word
The second primary Greek word that describes Scripture is rhema, which refers to a word that is spoken and means “an utterance.” A rhema is a verse or portion of Scripture that the Holy Spirit brings to our attention with application to a current situation or need for direction.
Every word of God is inspired, and “all scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness” (II Timothy 3:16). It is the Holy Spirit Who illuminates particular Scriptures for application in a daily walk with the Lord.
The words of Jesus are significant on this point. “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word [rhema] that proceedeth out of the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4). Jesus also stated, “The words [rhema] that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life” (John 6:63).
When God gives a rhema for us to act upon, He often confirms it by a second rhema, that “in the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word [rhema] be established” (II Corinthians 13:1).
Biblical Insights Into Rhemas
The following passages of Scripture provide insight into the rhemas of God:
- “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word [rhema] of God” (Romans 10:17).
- “And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word [rhema] of God” (Ephesians 6:17).
- “Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word [rhema]” (Ephesians 5:25–26).
- “If ye abide in me, and my words [rhema] abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you” (John 15:7).
Biblical Examples of Rhemas
The following passages of Scripture give examples of the rhemas of God:
- When Jesus told Peter to cast the fishing nets on the other side of the boat, Peter answered, “Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word [rhema] I will let down the net” (Luke 5:5).
- When the angel told Mary that she would have a child, “Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word [rhema]” (Luke 1:38).
- Simeon recalled the promise that he would see Christ before he died: “Now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word [rhema]” (Luke 2:29).
- God gave John the message he was to preach as a forerunner to Christ: “The word [rhema] of God came unto John”(Luke 3:2).
- God reminded Peter of His Word: “Then remembered I the word [rhema] of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost” (Acts 11:16).
- Jesus told Peter he would deny Him. “Peter remembered the word [rhema] of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice” (Matthew 26:75).
How do I “get” a rhema?
In the regular course of our daily reading of God’s Word (logos), we need to ask God to speak to us through His Word and give us insight into it. The Holy Spirit can cause certain passages to stand out with significant meaning or application for our lives. These are the rhemas of Scripture and should become a part of our daily thoughts and actions.
Thank you for your insight, this shed some light on the teaching. I noticed there is a great famine for the Rhema Word of God. Just as Jesus said, Man shall not live on bread alone but every Word (Rhema) that comes from the mouth of God. Many Christians have not even heard that there is a Rhema (utterance) and a Logos (the Christ
Some Faith Movement/Charismatic Groups distinguish between the “Logos” as the “written word” of God and the “Rhema” as the “spoken word” of God. Thus, they speak in terms of receiving “words from God” or “words for the now, “which they call Rhema words. In contrast, the Bible itself, the written word of God, is associated with the term Logos. While on the surface Rhema words are said to require conformity to the Logos word (written word), in practical terms, they become more significant to the life of the believer than the Logos (written word) because they provide direct guidance for our current circumstances and choices on a day to day basis. became flesh).
And also, many Christian fare living their Christian life from a Word God spoke to them over 10 years ago.Also, there is some teaching going around on the Internet that says that there is no real distinction between the two. They also say that Logos is not the Bible. They say that Logos only refers to when the New Testament refers to the Old Testament Scriptures or when the Word of God became the Logos, the CHRIST, in the flesh. What do you think about this? They say that it is the Faith Church Movements and Pentecostal Movements who are teaching that the Logos usually refers to the Bible, while the Rhema refers to the specific Word spoken to a particular person in time by the Holy Spirit.
I believe it is, as you say, when God takes the Logos Word of God and speaks that Word into our circumstances, or when the Holy Spirit speaks a Word which does not necessarily have it’s ssource in the Bible, but which has as it’s riding purpose to Glorify God. What Didi you think, Sir?
Rhema (Rayma)This is my name aswell. .The spoken. the statement the word of God . .man shall not live on bread alone the word comes from the mouth of God. .
“I believe it is, as you say, when God takes the Logos Word of God and speaks that Word into our circumstances, or when the Holy Spirit speaks a Word which does not necessarily have it’s ssource in the Bible, but which has as it’s riding purpose to Glorify God. What Didi you think, Sir?” — This has been my constant experience in my walk with the Lord. I can’t believe that God’s speaking is restricted to Genesis thru Revelation. At the same time, anything we perceive the Lord is saying to us (rhema) will always be able to be backed up by scripture. I’m glad you shared this.
Sadly, your conclusions regarding the word rhema are your own, and not those of Scripture. There is no Scriptural evidence that the Holy Spirit makes passages stand out with significant meaning or application. Nor is any use of the word rhema descriptive of this method of seeking guidance.
A “rhema” is simply a term that is descriptive of spoken words or statements. In Scripture it can be used of a request to do something, like Jesus requesting Peter to let down his net on the other side of the boat, or of an entire teaching or series of teachings (see John 8:20, Luke 7:1).
I have experienced the Rhema word while reading scripture. The Holy Spirit does speak to one’s circumstances. It is a wonderful humbling experience.
spoken well faith in the word
Great exposition. Thank you!
Thank you for the answers. i will prefer rhema to be a sppken word or statement from God, directing one on what to do in a particular situation.
With thanks to God, I have had some like that. One happened which saved from an armed robbery schene. it happened that I was about to go and have a quitetime as usual. Meanwhile, I have had an urgent need of money for weeks. This time, I recieved a text~message in my phone: a dear friend has paid some money to me. I rejoiced. but as I am about to go and pick up my checkbook, a voice spoke as if from inside my heart and siad “Why not go and continue with your quiete~ time since the money is here. You can go any other time and collect it” Immediately, I said “O yes, dear” I went to have my quite~time. But, it didnt take up to 40 mintes, I starte hearing sounds of gun shuts. It was as if it was on a battle field. As the gun shuts became more and more, I went out to the street, only to hear that a terrible arm robbery operation was taking place in well known banking avenue, where my bank is located. At the end, before the police intervened, they have left at least, eleven persons dead, some just passing by.
I had regarded the word/message that came to me as rhema: because it guided on what I did, which saved me from an unknown danger. Praise the LORD!
Wow Praise be to Yahweh our Lord Jesus Papa and Holyspirit always….
No words to describe thank Lord Jesus for the rhemas into my life too. Hallelujah…. Awesomely amazing privilege of each child of God. Hallelujah hallelujah hallelujah THANK YOU Papa Jesus and Holyspirit always
Bless you for writing this.