Have you ever gotten into the habit of using "church words" so often that they have lost all real world meaning? How about the word "Amen". Christians routinely end prayer with this word. Without knowing why, we use it like a period at the end of prayer. If you can spare a minute of your time, you will see why the word "amen" is a most remarkable word.
Please, indulge me for a little word study...
1. “Amen” comes from a Hebrew root word pronounced ‘aman. In Hebrew this is a verb which is translated into English the following ways:
"to support, confirm, be faithful, uphold, nourish; to be established, be faithful, be carried, make firm; to stand firm, to trust, to be certain, to believe in"
2. Old Testament examples of the word “aman”…
a. Abraham’s belief in God
"And he [Abraham] believed {'aman} in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness." Gen 15:6
b. Israel’s belief in God
"And the people believed {'aman}: and when they heard that the LORD had visited the children of Israel, and that he had looked upon their affliction, then they bowed their heads and worshiped." Exd 4:31
c. God’s is faithful
"Know therefore that the LORD thy God , he is God, the faithful{'aman}…" Deu 7:9
d. God’s Promises David an “aman” house
"And thine house and thy kingdom shall be established {'aman} for ever before thee: thy throne shall be established for ever." 2Sa 7:16
3. Amen in the New Testament
The Hebrew word was transliterated into Greek and carried this meaning:
"firm, faithful, verily, amen"
a) When the word is used at the beginning of a discourse it is translated as "verily, surely, truly, of a truth".
b) When it is used at the end of a discourse it is translated as - "so it is, so be it, may it be fulfilled."
Saying "Amen" is a custom that was carried over from Jewish synagogues into early Christian worship. The custom was for the congregation to "Amen" after a prayer as an affirmation of agreement with a public prayer. This made the substance of the prayer theirs as well as the individual's who had prayed.
a. In our English New Testament Translations the word “Amen” shows up about 50 times, but the Greek word “amen” is in the New Testament 152 times and translated into English using different words…
b. For instance, here is how some of the more popular translations render the beginning words of Matthew 5:18…
ESV "For truly {amen}, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished.
KJV "For verily {amen} I say unto you...
NKJV "For assuredly {amen}, I say to you...
NLT "I tell you the truth {amen}…
NIV "I tell you the truth {amen}…
4. We typically end prayer with an “Amen”. Why?
When you say “Amen” you are expressing your trust in God, and affirming his faithfulness.
Jesus taught us to pray after this pattern:
"After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. [I am more concerned about your exaltation than my own.]
Thy kingdom come. [Even if it brings me discomfort. Ie. Believers in Jerusalem suffering persecution.]
Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. [Speedily, eliminating any excuse I might have to procrastinate.]
Give us this day our daily bread. [Please just give me what I need today, I’ll trust you with the long term stuff.]
And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. [I will demonstrate your grace even as I have received it.]
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: [I will follow your lead and steer clear of sin.]
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
The purpose of the word “Amen” is not to cue God on when we are done praying. We don’t say “Amen" so that God knows when to open his eyes and look up. It is a means by which we affirm our trust in Him, and place ourselves in agreement with his will!
