Word Studies in the Bible

E. M. Zerr

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SUNAGOGE - EKKLESIA

     I have selected these terms as a heading for this article because they have much meaning in common, also because there is some erroneous teaching concerning them. This is especially true of the second one. The first has been rendered in the King James Version by synagogue 55 times, assembly 1, congregation 1. Thayer defines it as follows: "An assembly of men; an assembly of Jews formally gathered together to offer prayer and listen to the reading and exposition of the Holy Scriptures. The building where those solemn Jewish assemblies are held." Other lexicons that I have examined give virtually the same definitions.

     Thayer gives us also some history of the synagogue as follows: "Synagogues seem to date their origin from the Babylonian exile. In the time of Jesus and the apostles every town, not only in Palestine but also among the Gentiles if it contained a considerable number of Jewish inhabitants, had at least one synagogue, the larger towns several or even many." In the Schaff- Herzog Encyclopedia the following information is given: "After Israel had lost, not only its national independence, but also its national sanctuary, the Jews were anxious to preserve the unity of faith, doctrine and life. To achieve this, regular assemblies were inaugurated on certain days, in the different places of Palestine where Jews lived, and where men of learning expounded the law. Thus in all places where a certain number of Jews lived, synagogues were called into existence, which afterwards became the only bearer and banner of their nationality."

     If we will acquaint ourselves with the prophecies and history of the ancient Jews, the foregoing historical quotations will be understood. I cannot take space to quote the passages, but I do urge the reader to get his Bible and see the following places: Deuteronomy 28: 36, 64; Isaiah 43: 22-28; Zechariah 7: 4-6. In order to cure the Jews of idolatry they were compelled to continue its practice during the captivity. This effected the desired result by giving them "an overdose of their own medicine." After their release from exile they were anxious to render service to the true God, hence the erection of the many synagogues. Note that the word first applied to their gatherings, and was later transferred to the buildings in which the assemblies were held.

     The second word of our heading is rendered by the King James Version 3 times as assembly, as church 112. Thayer's definition (the part in italics) follows: "A gathering of citizens called out from their homes into some public place; an assembly. Any gathering or throng of men assembled by chance or tumultuously. An

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assembly of Christians gathered for worship." We noted in re: the synagogue that the name for an assembly was later applied to the building where such assembly met. Likewise popular usage now applies a name for the church of Christ to a building where the services take place. No person who is responsible will think that the building is actually the thing for which Christ died. When we see the words "high school" on a structure we know it merely means the place where the school meets. Hence there is no call for the hysterics over seeing the word "church" on a building used for the Lord's services.

     Words get into a language by the use made of them by the people who speak that language. That is the way that "church" became an English word. The lexicons of Hickie, Liddell and Scott, Donnegan, Groves, Green and Robinson all give "church" as one meaning of EKKLESIA. It is really a more suitable one than either congregation or assembly for general usage. Wherever a member of the body of Christ is, he is in His church. But strictly speaking he is not in the assembly unless he is where the assembling is taking place. Otherwise it would be inconsistent to warn him against forsaking the assembling; he would always be in it at home or elsewhere. In the writings of some brethren there seems to be a studied effort to avoid the use of "church" as much as possible. This is deplorable and is evidently an overture for the denominational groups. Those groups have been competitors of the church of Christ since the days of Luther. The ones that seem to be "nearest right" are the worst enemies, even as a counterfeit dollar that is very much like the genuine is the most deceptive, and deserves rigorous exposure.