Logos

Q: What does L.O.G.O.S. stand for? I mean, what does each initial stand for?

A: These are not initials. Logos is the Greek word for “word.” In a broader sense, it can also mean knowledge, the study of a specific subject, reckoning or accounting, explanation or reason, statement or discourse. Thus, it is used in English words such as psychoLOGY (the study of the mind), bioLOGY (the study of living things), and theoLOGY (the study of God).

Scripture has a special use for Logos, as shown in John 1: “In the beginning was the Word (Logos) and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.... And the Word (Logos) became flesh and tented among us. (vv. 1, 14; my translation)” In other words, this Word is the Son of God, Jesus Christ. See also passages such as Revelation 19:13, where Christ wears this name as part of His garment. Also, it is good to keep this underlying meaning in the back of our minds whenever Scripture speaks of preaching or hearing the Word: When we truly preach or hear God’s Word, we are truly preaching or hearing Jesus (e.g., 2 Timothy 4:2 and 1 John 1:1).

Send email to Ask the Pastor.

Walter Snyder is the pastor of Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Emma, Missouri and coauthor of the book What Do Lutherans Believe.