How can Jesus and the Bible both be the Word of God?

Answer  
  

The phrase “word of God” appears often in the Bible and can have a slightly different meaning depending on context and the Hebrew or Greek word used. John 1:1\-2 says, “In the beginning was the Word. And the Word was with God and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God.” Here, *Word* is a title of the Lord Jesus. The term translated “Word” is *logos*, which basically means “the expression of a thought.” [*Logos*](what-is-the-Logos.html) can be thought of as the total message of God to man (Acts 11:1; 1 Thessalonians 2:13\). Jesus embodied that total message, and that is why He is called the “Logos,” or “[Word](Jesus-Word-God.html),” of God (Colossians 1:19; 2:9\).  
  

*Logos* is also used many times when referring to the *written* message of God (John 17:17; 1 Timothy 4:5; Revelation 1:2; Colossians 1:25\). Hebrews 4:12 says, “The word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double\-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” Jesus showed a link between the written Word of God and Himself, in that He is the subject of the written Word: “You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about me” (John 5:39\).  
  

Another Greek word used for “word” is *rhema*. *Rhema* refers to the actual spoken/written words of God (Hebrews 6:5\). When Jesus was being tempted by Satan, He answered, “Man does not live by bread alone, but by every word \[*rhema*] that proceeds from the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4\). We are told in Ephesians 6:17 to “take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word \[*rhema*] of God.” Jesus demonstrated we need the actual recorded words of God to overcome Satan’s attacks.  
  

The phrase “word of God” means more than the printed words on a page. God is a communicator and has been speaking into the human realm since the beginning. He speaks through His creation (Psalm 19:1\), through ancient prophets (Hosea 12:10; Hebrews 1:1\), through the Holy Spirit (John 16:13; Acts 16:6\), through Scripture (Hebrews 4:12\), and through the Person of His Son, Jesus Christ (John 14:9\). We can learn to know God better by seeking to hear Him in every way that He speaks.  
  

