Amen: A Little Word with Big Significance

  • Feb 23, 2006
  • Series: Worship

    “Forever and ever…Amen!”

    For many Christians the word “amen” has become little more than a rote conclusion to prayer or an old hymn during Sunday worship; something we say…just because. I’ve been thinking a lot about this little word lately. It’s found in the bible hundreds of times and has deep meaning with several uses.

    Amen is a transliteration of the Hebrew word em’a and it means to take care, to be faithful, reliable or established, or to believe someone or something. Because God is completely trustworthy, Isaiah can call Him the “the God of amen” (Isaiah 65:16). The idea behind this little word is that we are confirming a statement that has been made, which is where we get the popular definition that amen means, “so be it.” Jeremiah used it this way when he confirmed God’s statements concerning the blessings and curses of the covenant with an amen (Jeremiah 11:5).

    Jesus’ Authoritative Amen

    When Jesus came into the scene, he picked up this word and broadened its scope. He introduced his teaching by saying amen lego humin, that is, “truly I say to you,” on nearly seventy occasions in the Gospel accounts (most modern Bible translations use the phrase “truly truly” instead of the word amen, but it’s meaning is the same). Where the prophets said, “Thus said the Lord,” Jesus said, “Amen I say to you.” This is a significant use of the word, because Jesus was using it to implicitly teach his listeners about His divinity. When Jesus instructed Nicodemus, for example, he appealed not to Scripture but to his own authority, saying: “Amen, amen, I say to you” (John 3:3,5). Here and in many other instances, the “amen” implies that Jesus’ words, like the Father’s, are true merely because He utters them. 

    The Doxological Amen

    The Apostle Paul’s amen returns to Old Testament usage, except that he utters amen only to bless, not to curse. Many times Paul’s letters burst into praise and seal the confession with an amen (Romans 1:25; 9:5; 11:36; Galatians 1:3-5; Ephesians 3:21: Philippians 4:20 and many more). Likewise, amen also closes several doxologies in Revelation where the object of praise is the Son of God (Revelation 1:6-7; 5:14; 19:4).

    As the church began to grow, amen was attached to the end of letters, songs, and prayers both in corporate and private worship. Martin Luther instructed young believers in his Smaller Catechism in the conclusion of the Lord’s Prayer by asking: “What is meant by the word Amen?” His answer: “This means that I should be certain that these petitions are pleasing to our Father in heaven, and are heard by him; for he himself has commanded us so to pray, and has promised to hear us. Amen, amen, which means, “Yes, yes, it shall be so.”

    For the modern worshipper this little word has deep significance. As worship has become more participatory throughout time, you often hear “amen” shouted during the sermon. The congregant isn’t being rude; he/she is just confirming the point of the preacher. I like this, because it means that they are truly listening to what is being said, they’ve assented to it, and are confirming it vocally, which then helps the preacher know that his point has not been missed.

    The same is true of prayer and praise. When we say amen at the end of a prayer or song, we are assenting to what we just said, sung or heard. Of course the problem is that it, like anything, can become routine and habitual, void of significance.  This problem has nothing to with the word amen, but with us. When we worship in prayer, praise, or in listening to the Word of God preached, we do not turn off our brains. Worship requires both our affections and intellect be tuned Godward, allowing lesser distractions to be silenced for a time of reflection and meditation.

    At the end of each worship service, it is common for the pastor or worship leader to confer a benediction, often using a blessing from Scripture. This is also concluded with the little word amen. The congregation joins heartily in this amen as it signifies: “So be it. What has been said in this place has been trustworthy, pleasing to God, and offered in a heart of praise and submission to the authority and saving grace of Jesus Christ.” Declaring amen is a way of putting your stamp of approval as a participant in the worship of God and thanking your King for his blessing. What greater response could there be as the people of God receive his gifts in humble faith than to speak their confident and joyful amen? What more is there to say but amen?

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