God is fussy about
the words He uses

Most of us are pretty careless about our use of words. But not a good writer. One measure of his worth is how precise are his words. This surely is true of God, causing theologians to spend lifetimes studying the original manuscripts written in Hebrew and Greek. The Koine Greek has been said to be the most precise language ever used, and God has used it with an uncanny exactness and consistency. Our failure to note this can lead to error.

An illustration of this, I believe, is the precise definition of the Greek word  episunagoge. It is used only two times in the Bible. The first instance is in II Thessalonians. 2:1 – “Now, brethren, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him…”   Episunagoge is the word translated “our gathering.” From the context, the verse obviously refers to the rapture, that blessed hope promised to every true born-again believer. Unfortunately today, although the rapture is acknowledged among certain Christians in America, it is probably nowhere appreciated so much as by those under persecution for their faith, as was so often the case in the early Church and among many in pagan foreign lands today who risk loss of life, family and possessions upon confession of Him. Should any of us suffer for righteousness’ sake, the thought of being caught up with Christ at any moment, will take on an immeasurable new significance. Just the mention of it gives rise to unspeakable hope, joy, and inspiration. The shame is that we needn’t necessarily suffer to enjoy this truth.

The second instance of episunagoge appears in Hebrews 10:25 – “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” The words “assembling of ourselves together” are translated from our word in question. Unlike II Thessalonians, which appears to be accurately understood by most, in this second case the verse seems commonly understood to mean not ceasing, as some do, to attend church on Sunday. While Christians getting together on Sunday or whenever is well and good, I think the assumption that the Hebrews verse alludes to church going simply misses the point. Let me explain why I think so.

The first three letters of the word are the key: episunagoge.  As defined by Strong, it means a complete assembling, that is, I’m convinced, that final gathering of ALL the saints to meet the Lord when He comes. The word sunagoge, apart from the prefix epi, is used frequently throughout the New Testament to refer either to the act or place of assembling in a local location. If Hebrews 10:25 is to be accepted as commonly assumed, would not sunagoge appear the better choice of words? Moreover, the writer uses this word “to stir up one another to love and good works,” as we read in verse 24. As much as I look forward to church services, in no way does such a thought begin to compare with the anticipation of meeting Christ and loved ones who have gone before me. To stray from the promise of His imminent coming, as “the manner of some is” today (see II Peter 3: 4), is a serious departure from a precious truth, especially so “as we see the day approaching,” and that day for sure isn’t Sunday.

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