No Elongated Words — Just Words Of Encouragement
Categories: Church of Christ Bulletin Articles
Years ago, there was a very elongated word called “antidisestablishmentarianism” that became popular to use in the high school that I attended. The dictionary defines this word as “the doctrine or political position that opposes the withdrawal of state recognition of an established church.” The definition is almost as difficult as the pronunciation of the term.
At the time, neither I nor my fellow students had any idea as to what the term might mean, but simply “saying” that large word, made us “appear” to be very knowledgeable and educated.
During the apostle Paul‘s ministry, he didn’t try to impress others by using elongated words as the one above.
In his letter to the Corinthians, he wrote:
“When I came to you, brothers, I did not come with eloquence or superior wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God” (1 Corinthians 2:1 NIV).
The phrase, “excellency of speech,” used in the King James Version of the above passage, is translated from the Greek as meaning “high-sounding words” or “pompous speech.”
The implication is that one who uses this kind of speech uses words to exalt self instead of giving glory to God.
The humble apostle was a brilliant scholar who expressed the deep things of God in his inspired writings, yet he did not use lofty language or elongated words to elevate his self-importance (see commentary).
Brethren and friends, as we grow in our understanding of God’s Word, let us follow the example that Paul provides us, and guard against parading knowledge simply for knowledge’s sake.
Instead, let us use words that build up and encourage others.