Our tendency today is to see truth as what we believe. In other words, we tend to think of truth as a set of ideas, experiences, or religious teachings we have accepted and believe are true. Scientific assertions are also considered to be true, even though many assertions tend to change over time.
Science however is only able to examine natural life and cannot explain the realities of the spirit or the eternal realm. So we ask, how is truth defined in Scripture? You may be surprised.
Defining “Truth”
Almost without exception, the word ‘truth’ in our English Bibles comes from one Hebrew and one Greek word. The Old Testament Hebrew emeth appears 127 times and means “firmness, stability.” The New Testament Greek aletheia appears 110 times and means “essence revealed by appearance.”
When we combine the Hebrew and Greek words, Scripture interprets truth in this world as “a visible display of what is inside,” as being genuine and true. For example, a gold plated vessel is not true because its appearance does not display what is inside. A solid iron vessel is truthful because the appearance agrees with its interior. Scripture primarily defines truth as “a firm display of essence.”
Truth can also in part be defined as knowledge; “always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.” Instead of “handling accurately the word of truth,” some even “turn away their ears from the truth…to myths” (fictional imaginations). (a) [see endnotes for Scriptures]
Scriptural truth is more than our perceptions, imaginations, or doctrines. Truth involves an absorbed knowing that adjusts our inner essence and is displayed by outer appearance and expressive actions.
This principle is seen in love. Real love is more than words; it includes a sincere inner essence. “Let us not love with word or tongue, but in-deed and truth.” (b) Even worship is much more than an inner or outer response; “True worshipers shall worship the Father in spirit and truth.” (c) Truthful worship includes our inner and outer self, as expressions of our whole being – body, soul and spirit.
Scripture uses this principle when speaking of faith: “Even so faith, if it has no works is dead…I will show you my faith by my works…faith without works is useless.” (d) This passage does not speak of works as our labor but of the expressive fruit of what is inside. “So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit.” (e) If our faith (our response to God’s will) is not seen by fruitful action, it is not truthful. Our faith does not exist and is dead if it does not produce good fruit.
We are instructed to “let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” (f) As we absorb God’s insightful light and adapt His quality features as our own, our visible expressions (work) appear more as truthful light.
Scripture primarily defines truth as “a firm display of essence.”
Jesus Demonstrates Truth
The Gospel of John declares: “In the beginning was the word (Greek-logos, spoken expression), and the word (spoken expression) was with God, and the word was God…and the word became… flesh… full of grace and truth.” (g) While God is an unseen Spirit, His “grace and truth were realized (seen, revealed) through Jesus Christ…he has explained Him.” (h)
When the Eternal One’s expressive word (logos) took on flesh and was formed into the man Jesus, God illustrated His desire for us as developing children. The life, words, and actions of Jesus visibly reveal God’s intention for all His children. Thus, Jesus is the image and likeness of God in flesh.
So, how does Scripture describe Jesus? 
He is “the image of the invisible God,” (i) “the radiance of His glory and exact representation of His nature,” (j) who became the “firstborn (pre-eminent) of all creation.” (k) He is the most exact display of truth in a human life, revealing what God’s reigning influence over children is really like. The life and words of Jesus help us better understand how to be responsive children. (l)
This is why Jesus said “You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (m) When the truth that was revealed by Jesus is absorbed into our life, we partake of traits of “eternal life.” (n) As we consciously transform and become more like Jesus, we experience eternal qualities in this life.
Jesus even stated: “I am the way, the truth and the life.” (o) Linguists verify this verse can be rendered as: “I am the truthful way to live.” The anointed Jesus illustrates God’s grace and truth in a human life, so we can better understand God’s creative intention and desire for each of us.
Standing before a ruler of the day, Jesus said “My kingdom (influencing reign) is not of this world (order)…I have come into this world, to bear witness to the truth.” (p) Pilate’s response was like many today, “What is truth?” Pilate then walked away because he did not want to hear or observe this revealing truth.
The life and words of Jesus help us better understand how to be responsive children.
The World’s View of Truth
The first generation of delivered Israelites failed to enter the full benefits of freedom because their experience and perceptions kept them in a state of crippling fear. (q) Their lives fell short of God’s intention because they would not believe and walk in the new insightful truth God was revealing.
Consider the New Testament example of our developing salvation: All who receive God-in-Christ are given “the right to become children of God.” (r) Then, “For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.” (s) We cease to be wandering offspring by responding to our heavenly Father as adoring children. (t) Resulting in, “If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.” (u)
Our Bibles connect many values and actions to truth: the spirit of truth, love of truth, word of truth, knowledge of truth, belief in truth, and the way of truth. Truth is very personal and is intended to include our fruitful responses; our hearing, agreement, words, walk, worship, sincerity, and peace.
Jesus Christ was the most exact demonstration of truth in a human life. His visible words and actions illustrated an inner spiritual reality that glorified the Eternal One. Truth involves our inner and outer faithful response to our heavenly Father’s guidance. When we live in truth, the core values that were revealed by Jesus Christ are visibly demonstrated by our words and actions, during this life.
Acceptance of the Scriptures definition of truth can become a firm and stabilizing factor in us. During this life, “We all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory.” (v) So, how well are we becoming like Him?
Our early perceptions and understanding of truth can keep us from moving into the maturing fullness God is revealing. To what degree do we understand truth and are examples of the truth demonstrated by Jesus? How well are we applying the words and example of Jesus to our perceptions and actions? Is God’s truth actually becoming our truth? Are we displaying an inner essence that glorifies God?
Even though our view of truth may be a bit dim, the richer our interaction with God is, the more effectively we become maturing children. Let us live our faith as expressions of God’s grace and truth. May we walk in fuller truth today!
Truth involves our inner and outer faithful response to our heavenly Father’s guidance.
a) 2 Timothy 3:7; 4:4; 2:15; b) 1 John 3:18; c) John 4:23-24; d) James 2:17-18, 20; e) Matthew 7:17; Luke 6:43; f) Matthew 5:15-16; Luke 11:33-36; g) John 1:1-3, 14; h) John 1:17-18; i) Colossians 1:15; j) Hebrews 1:3; k) Colossians 1:15; l) John 13:34; 15:12; m) John 8:32; n) John 5:24; 6:47; o) John 14:6; p) John 18:36-38; q) Numbers 14:1-4; Acts 7:39; r) John 1:12; s) Romans 8:14; t) Luke 15:11-24; u) Galatians 5:22-25; v) 2 Corinthians 3:18
Keith Carroll, “The Relationship Guy”
Relational Gospel Founder
When We Arise And Shine author