Go! And Discover the Depth of God’s Word
Exploring 10 Oversimplified Words in the NLT Bible
Introduction
One of the greatest privileges we have is access to the Word of God. The New Living Translation is a beautiful, readable version of the Bible. It helps people understand God’s truth clearly in modern English. But like every translation, sometimes the depth of the original Hebrew and Greek words gets flattened.
Today, I want us to take a journey into the richness of God’s Word. We’ll look at 10 words from the NLT that are often oversimplified, and by digging deeper into the Hebrew and Greek, we’ll discover the profound truth behind them. My prayer is that this will not only expand your knowledge but ignite your heart to trust Christ more fully.
1. Love – Agape
1 John 4:8 (NLT): “But anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love.”
The NLT says “love”—but the Greek agape is far deeper. This is not shallow affection, not mere kindness. It is sacrificial love, love that gives without expecting return. Agape is the love that carried Jesus to the cross.
Paul writes in Romans 5:8 (NLT): “God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.” That is agape—love that chooses the undeserving.
If God has poured this agape into our hearts by the Holy Spirit (Romans 5:5), then we are called to live it out. Christian love is not a feeling—it is a Christlike action.
2. Peace – Shalom
John 14:27 (NLT): “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart.”
The Hebrew word shalom means far more than the absence of conflict. It means wholeness, harmony, completeness, flourishing. It’s what Adam and Eve lost in the Garden of Eden, and what Christ came to restore.
Isaiah 9:6 calls Jesus the Prince of Peace—the Prince of shalom. Through His cross, He brings peace with God (Romans 5:1).
The world offers fragile peace, but Jesus offers eternal shalom. No matter your circumstances, in Christ you can live whole, secure, complete.
3. Salvation – Soteria
Luke 19:10 (NLT): “For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost.”
The Greek word soteria is rich: it means rescue, healing, deliverance, restoration. It’s not just “getting into heaven one day.” Salvation means being rescued from sin’s penalty, sin’s power, and one day from sin’s very presence.
Acts 4:12 (NLT): “There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved.”
Salvation isn’t just fire insurance—it’s total transformation. Jesus doesn’t just patch you up—He makes you new (2 Corinthians 5:17).
4. Hell – Gehenna
Matthew 10:28 (NLT): “Fear only God, who can destroy both soul and body in hell.”
The NLT says “hell,” but Jesus actually used the word Gehenna—the Valley of Hinnom, just outside Jerusalem. It was a place of idolatry, judgment, and burning refuse. It became a picture of God’s final judgment and eternal separation.
Jesus warns us with this image because sin is deadly serious. But the good news of the Gospel is this: “There is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1, NLT).
Hell is real, but heaven is available to all who repent and trust Christ.
5. Righteousness – Dikaiosyne
Romans 3:22 (NLT): “We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ.”
The Greek word dikaiosyne means more than moral goodness. It’s a legal declaration: God declares us right in His courtroom—not because of our works, but because of Christ’s righteousness credited to us.
Philippians 3:9 (NLT): “I become righteous through faith in Christ. For God’s way of making us right with himself depends on faith.”
Righteousness is not something we earn—it is something Jesus gives. The cross is the great exchange: He takes our sin; we receive His righteousness.
6. Repent – Metanoeo
Mark 1:15 (NLT): “The Kingdom of God is near! Repent of your sins and believe the Good News!”
The Greek metanoeo means to change your mind, heart, and direction. It’s not mere regret—it’s transformation.
Acts 3:19 (NLT): “Now repent of your sins and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped away.”
Repentance is not optional. It is a radical turning from sin to Christ. Without repentance, there is no salvation.
7. Faith – Pistis
Hebrews 11:1 (NLT): “Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see.”
Pistis is not mere intellectual belief—it means trust, allegiance, fidelity. Faith is staking your life on Jesus.
John 3:16 (NLT): “Everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” The Greek stresses trust and commitment, not just mental assent.
Faith means putting all your weight on Christ—resting entirely on His finished work at the cross.
8. World – Kosmos
John 3:16 (NLT): “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son.”
The Greek kosmos has layers: creation, humanity, and the fallen world system opposed to God. Here, it means fallen humanity—God loves sinners so much He sent Jesus.
1 John 2:15 (NLT): “Do not love this world nor the things it offers you.” Same word, but here it means the rebellious system against God.
God calls us to love people in the kosmos but not to love the kosmos system of sin.
9. Disciple – Mathetes
Matthew 28:19 (NLT): “Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations.”
Mathetes means learner, apprentice, follower who shapes life after their teacher. It’s not casual attendance at church—it’s lifelong imitation of Jesus.
Luke 14:27 (NLT): “And if you do not carry your own cross and follow me, you cannot be my disciple.”
Jesus calls us not to be fans but followers. Discipleship means surrender.
10. Messiah/Christ – Mashiach / Christos
Matthew 16:16 (NLT): “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”
Both Mashiach (Hebrew) and Christos (Greek) mean “Anointed One.” Kings, priests, and prophets were anointed in the Old Testament. Jesus fulfils all three: He is the anointed Prophet who speaks truth, the anointed Priest who sacrifices Himself, and the anointed King who reigns forever.
Acts 2:36 (NLT): “So let everyone in Israel know for certain that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, to be both Lord and Messiah!”
To call Jesus “Christ” is to proclaim Him as King, Priest, and Saviour.
The Gospel Invitation:
Friends, these words are not just theological trivia—they are the very heartbeat of the Gospel.
God’s agape love sent Christ for you.
Christ’s cross brings shalom peace.
He offers soteria salvation—rescue from hell, credited with His dikaiosyne righteousness.
He calls you to metanoeo repentance and pistis faith.
He loves the kosmos so much that He sent His Son, but He also calls disciples (mathetes) who will follow Him.
And He is the Christos, the Anointed One, the Lord of all.
If you have not yet trusted Christ—today is the day. Repent. Believe. Be saved. Receive the righteousness of Christ, the peace of God, and the joy of salvation.
Conclusion:
Church, the NLT gives us clarity—but the Hebrew and Greek remind us of the depth. Don’t settle for a shallow reading of Scripture. Dive deep. Study. Love the Word. But most importantly—love the Lord of the Word.
For in every word, every nuance, every page, the Bible points us to Jesus Christ, the Living Word, our Saviour and King.
