Beyond Words

“. . .that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend . . .what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God.”- Ephesians 3:17-19 NASB

Peter Mark Roget became a successful, respected doctor. Born on this day in 1779 in London, he had a wide range of other interests, including optics. He invented a slide rule and was a published author, writing about subjects ranging from tuberculosis to nitrous oxide.

Through his travels and writings, Roget developed a fascination with words. Around 1805, he began compiling an index of word meanings. This became a greater focus when he retired from medicine in 1840. Eventually this developed into his thesaurus of English words and phrases, which he published in 1852, and quickly became an essential source for synonyms.

Still massively popular, Roget’s Thesaurus has helped millions realize the many shades of meanings, and find just the right words.

This same kind of fascination with words has inspired many students of the Bible. Scholars and amateurs have poured over words in translations and original languages, filling libraries with dictionaries, commentaries, and, yes, even thesauruses.

What many have discovered is depth of the Word. The more it is studied, the more is revealed. For its meanings are multi-layered. For the Word is living and powerful (Hebrews 4:12), and gives us insights into a spiritual dimension beyond words.

We see this dimension when Paul tried to describe the love of God. It “surpasses knowledge.” It cannot be measured, and it is beyond definition.

This is a dimension that opens for us when we are born again, and have our eyes opened spiritually. When we read God’s Word and are filled with His Spirit. When we realize that there is another dimension to life, a glorious dimension filled with spiritual riches.

Prayer: Father, open my eyes to understand more of Your Truth. Fill me with a spirit of wisdom and revelation. Teach me. Help me draw closer to You. In Jesus’ name. Amen.