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The lesson library / Lesson 04

Theological vocabulary

Define major doctrinal terms accurately and show why clear language helps rather than replaces biblical understanding.

Foundations and reading Scripture

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1 Corinthians 2:1-16 · Romans 3:19-31 · Galatians 4:1-20 · 2 Timothy 2:14-26

Large words are not automatically deep, and small words are not automatically clear. A technical term earns its place when it distinguishes ideas that would otherwise be confused. The problem is not that theology has a vocabulary. Every serious subject does. The problem is using the vocabulary as a substitute for explaining what is meant.

Read 1 Corinthians 2:1-16

1 When I came to you, brothers, I didn’t come with excellence of speech or of wisdom, proclaiming to you the testimony of God.
2 For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.
3 I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling.
4 My speech and my preaching were not in persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power,
5 that your faith wouldn’t stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.
6 We speak wisdom, however, among those who are full grown, yet a wisdom not of this world nor of the rulers of this world who are coming to nothing.
7 But we speak God’s wisdom in a mystery, the wisdom that has been hidden, which God foreordained before the worlds for our glory,
8 which none of the rulers of this world has known. For had they known it, they wouldn’t have crucified the Lord of glory.
9 But as it is written, “Things which an eye didn’t see, and an ear didn’t hear, which didn’t enter into the heart of man, these God has prepared for those who love him.”
10 But to us, God revealed them through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God.
11 For who among men knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so, no one knows the things of God except God’s Spirit.
12 But we received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit which is from God, that we might know the things that were freely given to us by God.
13 We also speak these things, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual things.
14 Now the natural man doesn’t receive the things of God’s Spirit, for they are foolishness to him; and he can’t know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
15 But he who is spiritual discerns all things, and he himself is to be judged by no one.
16 “For who has known the mind of the Lord that he should instruct him?” But we have Christ’s mind.

Revelation concerns what God makes known. Inspiration concerns the divine giving of the scriptural word through its authors. Illumination concerns understanding and receiving that word. Confusing them can turn a preacher’s insight into an allegedly inerrant message. Paul’s account of the Spirit’s work should increase reliance on God without removing the need for careful reading. Claiming illumination does not make an interpretation immune to correction by the very Scripture the Spirit inspired.

Read Romans 3:19-31

19 Now we know that whatever things the law says, it speaks to those who are under the law, that every mouth may be closed, and all the world may be brought under the judgment of God.
20 Because by the works of the law, no flesh will be justified in his sight; for through the law comes the knowledge of sin.
21 But now apart from the law, a righteousness of God has been revealed, being testified by the law and the prophets;
22 even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ to all and on all those who believe. For there is no distinction,
23 for all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God;
24 being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,
25 whom God sent to be an atoning sacrifice through faith in his blood, for a demonstration of his righteousness through the passing over of prior sins, in God’s forbearance;
26 to demonstrate his righteousness at this present time, that he might himself be just and the justifier of him who has faith in Jesus.
27 Where then is the boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? Of works? No, but by a law of faith.
28 We maintain therefore that a man is justified by faith apart from the works of the law.
29 Or is God the God of Jews only? Isn’t he the God of Gentiles also? Yes, of Gentiles also,
30 since indeed there is one God who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith.
31 Do we then nullify the law through faith? May it never be! No, we establish the law.

These terms overlap in subject without naming exactly the same thing. Atonement concerns Christ’s sacrificial work dealing with sin. Propitiation emphasizes righteous wrath being dealt with through that sacrifice. Justification concerns the verdict received by the believer. If justification is defined merely as becoming a better person, the distinction from sanctification disappears. That is not a minor vocabulary problem. It changes the answer to the question of what makes a sinner acceptable before God.

Read Galatians 4:1-20

1 But I say that so long as the heir is a child, he is no different from a bondservant, though he is lord of all,
2 but is under guardians and stewards until the day appointed by the father.
3 So we also, when we were children, were held in bondage under the elemental principles of the world.
4 But when the fullness of the time came, God sent out his Son, born to a woman, born under the law,
5 that he might redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as children.
6 And because you are children, God sent out the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, “Abba, Father!”
7 So you are no longer a bondservant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.
8 However at that time, not knowing God, you were in bondage to those who by nature are not gods.
9 But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, why do you turn back again to the weak and miserable elemental principles, to which you desire to be in bondage all over again?
10 You observe days, months, seasons, and years.
11 I am afraid for you, that I might have wasted my labor for you.
12 I beg you, brothers, become as I am, for I also have become as you are. You did me no wrong,
13 but you know that because of weakness in the flesh I preached the Good News to you the first time.
14 That which was a temptation to you in my flesh, you didn’t despise nor reject; but you received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus.
15 What was the blessing you enjoyed? For I testify to you that, if possible, you would have plucked out your eyes and given them to me.
16 So then, have I become your enemy by telling you the truth?
17 They zealously seek you in no good way. No, they desire to alienate you, that you may seek them.
18 But it is always good to be zealous in a good cause, and not only when I am present with you.
19 My little children, of whom I am again in travail until Christ is formed in you—
20 but I could wish to be present with you now, and to change my tone, for I am perplexed about you.

New birth, family status, and growth are related but distinguishable. Regeneration explains the giving of life. Adoption explains the privilege of belonging as a child. Sanctification explains holiness in the life that follows. A useful definition should not pretend these benefits can be separated from Christ or received as unrelated products. It should show what question each term answers. Accurate distinctions help prevent a gradual process from being mistaken for the basis of a definitive verdict.

Read 2 Timothy 2:14-26

14 Remind them of these things, charging them in the sight of the Lord that they don’t argue about words to no profit, to the subverting of those who hear.
15 Give diligence to present yourself approved by God, a workman who doesn’t need to be ashamed, properly handling the Word of Truth.
16 But shun empty chatter, for it will go further in ungodliness,
17 and those words will consume like gangrene, of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus:
18 men who have erred concerning the truth, saying that the resurrection is already past, and overthrowing the faith of some.
19 However, God’s firm foundation stands, having this seal: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Let every one who names the name of the Lord depart from unrighteousness.”
20 Now in a large house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of clay. Some are for honor and some for dishonor.
21 If anyone therefore purges himself from these, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, and suitable for the master’s use, prepared for every good work.
22 Flee from youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
23 But refuse foolish and ignorant questionings, knowing that they generate strife.
24 The Lord’s servant must not quarrel, but be gentle toward all, able to teach, patient,
25 in gentleness correcting those who oppose him. Perhaps God may give them repentance leading to a full knowledge of the truth,
26 and they may recover themselves out of the devil’s snare, having been taken captive by him to do his will.

Imputation means reckoning or crediting; reconciliation concerns restored peace; redemption concerns costly release; glorification concerns salvation’s completed transformation. Each needs its passage, not merely a dictionary entry. Paul warns against quarrels about words while requiring accurate handling of the word of truth. Precision and usefulness belong together. If an explanation leaves a listener able to repeat the term but unable to explain the idea, the teacher may have supplied pronunciation practice rather than understanding.

Choose three terms you hear often and define them in one sentence each. Then attach a passage and explain why it supports the definition. If two terms have become interchangeable in your explanation, check whether an important distinction has disappeared. The vocabulary should help you understand Scripture, not merely help you recognize who belongs to your preferred group.

Consider your perspective

Clear theological language helps us avoid confusing different gifts of grace. Justification, sanctification, and glorification belong together, but treating them as interchangeable can distort both assurance and obedience.

Put it into practice

Select an unfamiliar term from this lesson. Define it in an ordinary sentence, connect it to a biblical passage, and explain how it differs from a nearby term.

Reflect and respond

  • Can you distinguish justification from sanctification?
  • Which word are you using without a clear definition?
  • Does the definition fit the passage rather than merely the dictionary?

Passages and further study

Scripture quotations are from the public-domain World English Bible (WEB). Historical confessions are study aids, subordinate to Scripture. This independent lesson is not an official denominational statement.