The Word is Near You: Why Scripture Speaks Clearly Without Greek or Hebrew

Some claim that understanding Greek and Hebrew is necessary to grasp God’s nature, often using linguistic arguments to justify doctrines not plainly stated in Scripture. However, the Bible teaches that God’s truth is open to all and is not limited to our knowledge in ancient languages.

God’s Word is Clear and Understandable

Scripture was never intended to be an intellectual puzzle that only the highly educated could solve. It was given so that all people, regardless of their academic background, could know and follow God.

• Deuteronomy 30:11-14 – “For this commandment that I command you today is not too hard for you, neither is it far off… But the word is very near you. It is in your mouth and in your heart, so that you can do it.”
• Psalm 19:7 – “The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.”
• 2 Timothy 3:15-17 – “From childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.”

The clarity of Scripture means that understanding God’s nature or receiving salvation does not require lexical proficiency.

The Gospel for All: Beyond Linguistic Barriers

God’s message was meant to reach every nation, tribe, and tongue. If Greek or Hebrew were essential for understanding the gospel, then only those proficient in these languages could fully know God. This would contradict Christ’s command to spread His Word to the whole world.

• Matthew 28:19 – “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations.”
• Mark 16:15 – “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.”
• Acts 2:6-8 – On the day of Pentecost, people from many nations heard the gospel in their own languages, proving that God’s Word is not restricted to any single tongue.

Had the gospel been dependent on Hebrew or Greek, it would have remained inaccessible to many. Instead, it was proclaimed so that all could understand in their own language.

Jesus and the Apostles Preached in Common Language

Jesus did not use theological jargon or require His followers to master ancient languages. He spoke in ways that ordinary people could grasp, and His disciples continued this approach.

• Acts 4:13 – “When they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished.”
• Matthew 11:25 – “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children.”

The apostles, filled with the Holy Spirit, preached boldly without relying on any linguistic expertise.

Revealed by the Spirit: Beyond Greek and Hebrew

Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit would lead believers into truth. Nowhere does Scripture state that Greek or Hebrew is necessary for understanding God’s nature.

• John 16:13 – “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth.”
• 1 John 2:27 – “The anointing that you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you.”

Truth is revealed by the Spirit, not by study alone.

The Misuse of Language in Doctrinal Justification

Many doctrines, including the Trinity, rely on linguistic arguments rather than the plain meaning of Scripture. Some claim that Elohim must indicate a plurality in God’s nature, while others use Greek grammatical structures to suggest distinctions within the Godhead. These arguments often obscure rather than clarify the truth.

• 1 Corinthians 14:33 – “For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace.”
• Colossians 2:8 – “See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition.”
• 2 Peter 3:16 – “[Paul’s letters] contain some things that are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the other Scriptures, to their own destruction.”

When doctrines require sophisticated interpretations that contradict the broader biblical message, they should be questioned.

God’s Word is Near You

Knowing Greek or Hebrew can provide deeper historical insights, but it is not necessary to understand God’s nature. The Bible was written for all people, in every language, and the gospel continues to be preached across the world. Rather than prioritizing semantics over spiritual truth, believers should trust that God has revealed His truth clearly and made it accessible to all who earnestly seek Him.