Introduction

Over the centuries, man has changed the meaning of certain words. Sometimes, it is to update a meaning as the older meaning no longer has a bearing on current events.

For example, Fantastic (Dates to the 1300s) Today’s Meaning: Exceptionally good. Original Meaning: Existing only in the imagination, like a fantasy.

Another example, Backlog (Dates to 1684) Today’s Meaning: Large number of jobs to be done. Original Meaning: Largest log in the hearth. Yes, “backlog” used to denote a literal log!

However, there are many words that have been changed which should never have been changed. We’ll look at a few of those words.

Changing the meaning of Marriage

In the scriptures, marriage has always meant one man and one woman for life. Going all the way back to the Garden of Eden, Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. (Genesis 2:24) Jesus confirms this in Mk. 10:6-8 and the apostle Paul also supports this in Eph. 5:31.

Let’s look at the definitions found in dictionaries. You’ll see the change over the decades.

1828 Webster’s Dictionary— An act of uniting a man and woman for life; wedlock; the legal union of a man and woman for life. Marriage is a contract both civil and religious, by which the parties engage to live together in mutual affection and fidelity, till death shall separate them. Marriage was instituted by God himself for the purpose of preventing the promiscuous intercourse of the sexes, for promoting domestic felicity, and for securing the education and maintenance of children.

1986 Webster’s Dictionary— 1a the state of being united to a person of the opposite sex as husband or wife; 1b the mutual relation of husband and wife; wedlock.

2018 Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary— 1a A state of being united as spouses in a consensual and contractual relationship recognized by law; 1b the mutual relation of married persons: Wedlock

Under the definition in the 2018 edition, there was an extensive paragraph concerning the definition and the continued controversy over the state of marriage. It’s sad to think that one word needs an explanation in edition to the definition.

But this shows that a word, like this, has had its meaning changed to include other situations outside of the ‘one man, one woman’ dynamic.

Why are Definitions Changing?

Just like in the introduction, some words change over time to have a more updated feel to it, or just are being used in a different context and become accepted by everyone.

Others, however, are being changed to include activities which are considered sinful. As we see in the example of marriage, the definition has been changed to include same sex relationships. This is a sinful practice which, unfortunately, has been widely accepted as “the norm”.

The apostle Paul wrote, For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due. (Romans 1:26-27)

Even though it’s considered the “Law of the Land” it is still a sin according to God’s Law. I’ll abide by His instead.

Not if He’s Sincere…

Another example, we find congregations refusing to call certain preachers a false teacher because they are, generally, a friendly and decent person. When a relationship is formed it makes it more difficult to condemn or judge that individual because emotions take over and they look for that ‘almighty’ loophole.

Some will say that if he’s not intentionally teaching false doctrine; that he’s being sincere in his preaching, that it’s all right and we can’t label him as a false teacher.

We do have an example in scripture, and we’ll look at that in just a moment. But first, here’s the definition of the word ‘false’.

1828 Webster’s Dictionary— 1. Not true; not conformable to fact; expressing what is contrary to that which exists, is done, said or thought.

Here’s where we see the issue especially in today’s society (2024). People don’t want to deal in facts as the truth hurts, they want to concern themselves more with feelings.

The Case of Apollos

In Acts 18 we are introduced to Apollos. Now a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man and mighty in the Scriptures, came to Ephesus. This man had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things of the Lord, though he knew only the baptism of John. (Acts 18:24-25)

Notice that he’s a learned individual and taught accurately up to a certain point. He would be considered a false teacher. Some would say, “Well, he’s wrong on just one point and he’s being sincere in his teaching. He’s not intentionally teaching people wrong.” Although they are correct, he’s still a false teacher because he wasn’t teaching about the baptism in the name of Jesus. John’s baptism was correct up until the death of Jesus. We learn more about this in Acts 19.

In Acts 18:26 the story continues, So he began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Aquila and Priscilla heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately. They knew he wasn’t teaching correctly, and they pulled him aside and corrected him.

For those who don’t want to label a sincere person as a false teacher, they might state that there was nothing wrong with Apollos and his teaching. He was simply misinformed. But, to let that go unchecked, makes matters worse for those whom he teaches. Paul learned in that when he visited Ephesus (Acts 19:1-7) These men were disciples, but they were not Christians. Paul fixed that error.

Now, had Apollos rejected their instruction and continued on teaching as he had before, then his sincerity disappears. He may still seem sincere, but now that he knows the truth and chooses to reject it, he is intentionally teaching false doctrine.

What Can We Do?

Christians who know of one, especially of their own congregation, who is trying to redefine words to fit their own personal agenda have a specific command from The Lord Himself.

Jesus said, “Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother. But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that ‘by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.’ And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church. But if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector.” (Matthew 18:15-17)

Like any other sin, this needs to be dealt with as soon as possible. Otherwise, it can spread through the local congregation. If one “gets away” with such behavior, it will encourage others to try the same thing.

Conclusion

God’s word is Final! It is not up to us to decide what a word means and what it doesn’t. If we change the meaning of certain words, we’ll never know what God actually intended to say. Salvation would then be impossible as we wouldn’t know how to obtain it.

It is better to leave the defining of words to God Himself than to try and tell Him how to do things.