RHEMA is a Greek term (Greek: ῥῆμα, Strong's Concordance #G4487) that is often translated "word" in English versions of the New Testament, such as is found in the first chapter of Luke: "Then Mary said, 'Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your WORD.' (Luke 1:38, NKJV)
The Greek word LOGOS (Greek: λόγος, Strong's Concordance #G3056) is also translated "word" in a number of English translations, such as is found in the first chapter of John: "In the beginning was the WORD, and the WORD was with God, and the WORD was God." (John 1:1, NKJV)
Many Charismatic teachers insist that there is a very special difference between these two types of words. The Logos kind of word is viewed as being the Biblical "written word." But a Rhema word is believed to be a special, modern revelation to someone. It may be in the form of a flash of insight into some spiritual matter that is not clearly covered in scripture. Or it may be an intuitive understanding that a particular scripture verse or passage has immediate application to a current circumstance, even though in context in the Bible it may have nothing at all to do with the topic of the circumstance. Such Rhema words are sought after to give daily guidance to the life of the Christian.
According to most Greek scholars, however, there is no real linguistic validity to this theory that the Bible writers deliberately made such a distinction between these two Greek words. And much of what passes for Rhema words in many Charismatic circles appears to be extremely idiosyncratic, unsubstantiated, highly fanciful inventions of the subconscious of the person claiming to have the Rhema word. Yet many of these "modern revelations" are collected and posted on Internet sites as being amazing evidence of a "Great Move of God." | 