Luke 4:4

Luke 4:4

And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.

a. NLT: But Jesus told him, “No! The Scriptures say, ‘People do not live by bread alone.’

b. NIV: Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone.

c. YLT: And Jesus answered him, saying, 'It hath been written, that, not on bread only shall man live, but on every saying of God.

d. Amplified Bible: And Jesus replied to him, It is written, Man shall not live and be sustained by (on) bread alone but by every word and expression of God.

e. Worrell Translation: And Jesus made answer to him, “It has been written, ‘Not on bread alone shall man live.’”

1. “And Jesus answered him, saying…”

a. and [2532 * kai] [Strong: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.]

b. Jesus [2424 * Iesous] [Strong: of Hebrew origin (3091); Jesus (i.e. Jehoshua), the name of our Lord and two (three) other Israelites:--Jesus.]

c. answered [611 * apokrinomai] [Strong: from 575 and krino; to conclude for oneself, i.e. (by implication) to respond; by Hebraism (compare 6030) to begin to speak (where an address is expected):--answer.]

d. him [4314 * pros] [Strong: a strengthened form of 4253; a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e. pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of, i.e. near to; usually with the accusative case, the place, time, occasion, or respect, which is the destination of the relation, i.e. whither or for which it is predicated):--about, according to , against, among, at, because of, before, between, (where-)by, for, X at thy house, in, for intent, nigh unto, of, which pertain to, that, to (the end that), X together, to (you) -ward, unto, with(-in). In the comparative case, it denotes essentially the same applications, namely, motion towards, accession to, or nearness at.]

1). [846 * autos] Strong: from the particle au (perhaps akin to the base of 109 through the idea of a baffling wind) (backward); the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative 1438) of the third person , and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons:--her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by,  -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which.]

e. saying [3004 * lego] [Strong: a primary verb; properly, to "lay" forth, i.e. (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas 2036 and 5346 generally refer to an individual expression or speech respectively; while 4483 is properly to break silence merely, and 2980 means an extended or random harangue)); by implication, to mean:--ask, bid, boast, call, describe, give out, name, put forth, say(-ing, on), shew, speak, tell, utter.]

2. “it is written…”

a. it is written [1125 * grapho] [Strong: a primary verb; to "grave", especially to write; figuratively, to describe:--describe, write(-ing, -ten).]

1). The authority of the Scripture is seen in this phrase, starting in Joshua.

a). Joshua 8:30, 31 Then Joshua built an altar unto the LORD God of Israel in mount Ebal,

8:31 As Moses the servant of the LORD commanded the children of Israel, as it is written in the book of the law of Moses, an altar of whole stones, over which no man hath lift up any iron: and they offered thereon burnt offerings unto the LORD, and sacrificed peace offerings.

2). David recognized the authority of Scripture.

a). 1 Kings 2:1-3  Now the days of David drew nigh that he should die; and he charged Solomon his son, saying,

2:2 I go the way of all the earth: be thou strong therefore, and shew thyself a man;

2:3 And keep the charge of the LORD thy God, to walk in his ways, to keep his statutes, and his commandments, and his judgments, and his testimonies, as it is written in the law of Moses, that thou mayest prosper in all that thou doest, and whithersoever thou turnest thyself:

3). The Apostle Paul reaffirmed the authority of the written word of God in the New Testament.

a). Romans 3:1-4 What advantage then hath the Jew? or what profit is there of circumcision?

3:2 Much every way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God.

3:3 For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect?

3:4 God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged.

b). 2 Timothy 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

4). In Luke 4:4 Jesus is setting himself in agreement with the traditional Jewish belief that the Scripture contain the authority of God.

5). The verse Jesus was referring to is found in Deuteronomy.

a). Deuteronomy 8:3 And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the Lord doth man live.

3. “…That man shall not live by bread alone…”

a. that [3754 * hoti] [Strong: neuter of 3748 as conjunction; demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because:--as concerning that, as though, because (that), for (that), how (that), (in) that, though, why.]

b. man [444 * Anthropos] [Strong: from 435 and ops (the countenance; from 3700); man-faced, i.e. a human being:--certain, man.]

c. shall…live [2198 * zao] [Strong: a primary verb; to live (literally or figuratively):--life(-time), (a-)live(-ly), quick.]

d. not [3756 * ou] [Strong: also (before a vowel) ouk ook, and (before an aspirate) ouch ookh a primary word; the absolute negative (compare 3361) adverb; no or not:--+ long, nay, neither, never, no (X man), none, (can-)not, + nothing, + special, un(-worthy), when, + without, + yet but.]

e. by [1909 * epi] [Strong: a primary preposition; properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e. over, upon, etc.; of rest (with the dative case) at, on, etc.; of direction (with the accusative case) towards, upon, etc.:--about (the times), above, after, against, among, as long as (touching), at, beside, X have charge of, (be-, (where-))fore, in (a place, as much as, the time of, -to), (because) of, (up-)on (behalf of), over, (by, for) the space of, through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), with. In compounds it retains essentially the same import, at, upon, etc. (literally or figuratively).]

f. bread [740 * artos] [Strong: from 142; bread (as raised) or a loaf:--(shew-)bread, loaf.]

g. alone [3441 * monos] [Strong: probably from 3306; remaining, i.e. sole or single; by implication, mere:--alone, only, by themselves.]

4. “…but by every word of God.”

a. but [235 * alla] [Strong: neuter plural of 243; properly, other things, i.e. (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations):--and, but (even), howbeit, indeed, nay, nevertheless, no, notwithstanding, save, therefore, yea, yet.]

b.  by [1909 * epi] [Strong: a primary preposition; properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e. over, upon, etc.; of rest (with the dative case) at, on, etc.; of direction (with the accusative case) towards, upon, etc.:--about (the times), above, after, against, among, as long as (touching), at, beside, X have charge of, (be-, (where-))fore, in (a place, as much as, the time of, -to), (because) of, (up-)on (behalf of), over, (by, for) the space of, through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), with. In compounds it retains essentially the same import, at, upon, etc. (literally or figuratively).]

c. every [3956 * pas] [Strong: including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole:--all (manner of, means), alway(-s), any (one), X daily, + ever, every (one, way), as many as, + no(-thing), X thoroughly, whatsoever, whole, whosoever.]

d. Word: Scripture uses two primary Greek words translated “word” or “words” in the English New Testament. One is logos and the other is rhema. These words need to be clearly defined before we go further. Below the differences are laid out.

1). Word [3056 * logos] [Zodhiates: Intelligence, word as the expression of that intelligence, discourse, saying, thing.] [Vine: “The expression of thought…as embodying a concept or idea…a saying or statement…sometimes it is used as the sum of God’s utterances, a discourse, speech, of instruction, a word…Also a title of the Son of God.”]

2). Word [4487 * rhema] [Zodhiates: That which is spoken, a statement, word.]

[W.E. Vine: “The significance of rhema (as distinct from logos) is exemplified in the injunction to take “the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,” Ephesians 6:17; here the reference is not to the whole Bible as such, but to the individual scripture which the Spirit brings to our remembrance for use in time of need, a prerequisite being the regular storing of the mind with Scripture.”] [Strong: from 4483; an utterance (individually, collectively or specially),; by implication, a matter or topic (especially of narration, command or dispute); with a negative naught whatever:--+ evil, + nothing, saying, word.]

3). Dr. Charles Farah, Jr. Professor of Theology at ORU [This reference is from the 1980’s]: The Logos tends to be universal, while the Rhema is often used as a particular…the Logos is eternal, while the Rhema is often contemporary…It is a word a man takes action on; a personal word he hears…”The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart…” Romans 10:8. Here the word Rhema is used, and I believe, though not all scholars would agree, that Paul is saying this: Because the word is in your heart, it is necessary to use the word Rhema rather than the Logos, because God’s word has become a personal word to you.

4). Advanced Training Institute:  There are two primary Greek words that describe Scripture which are translated word in the New Testament. The first, logos, refers principally to the total inspired Word of God and to Jesus, Who is the living Logos… The second primary Greek word that describes Scripture is rhema, which refers to a word that is spoken and means “an utterance.” A rhema is a verse or portion of Scripture that the Holy Spirit brings to our attention with application to a current situation or need for direction.

5). Don Costello: Hearing logos requires physical ears, hearing rhema requires spiritual ears. Hearing logos produces knowledge, while rhema produces revelation, faith and grace. The literal meaning of Romans 10:17: faith comes from hearing faith, we hear faith when we hear the rhema of God. A logos word can become a rhema word through prayer and meditation and confession. See notes on Joshua 1:8 and Proverbs 4:20-22. If a believer desires any benefit from the logos word, that is, principally to the total inspired Word of God, it must become rhema.

e. of God [2316 * theos] [Strong: of uncertain affinity; a deity, especially (with 3588) the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very:--X exceeding, God, god(-ly, -ward).

1). Man is a three part being, he is a spirit, he has a soul and he lives in a body. We live in a physical world but we are primarily spirit beings. Our physical bodies are nourished by physical food, but our spiritual lives are not, they are nourished by something entirely different. The feeding of our inner man by the word of God takes priority over the feeding of our physical man. Though we die if we do not eat physically, the importance is on the feeding of the spirit man in a right relationship with God by obedience to the Scriptures.

a). Job 23:12 Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.

2). The feeding of the inner man the word of God is a theme revealed all through Scripture.

a). Isaiah 55:1, 2 Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.

55:3 Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness.

3). It is clear from this passage in Isaiah 55 that the “eating” is obedience, it is to “hearken” to the word. Another example comes from 1 Peter 2 where faithful obedience translates to one who has “tasted” the word of God.

a). 1 Peter 2:1-3 Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings,

2:2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:

2:3 If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.