Truth

The Greek word for truth, “aletheia°, is derived from the verb “lanthano° which means ‘to lie hidden’ and is related to the Latin verb “lateo° from which we get ‘latent’. The initial ‘a’ is a negative. So the word means ‘unhidden’, ‘revealed’. It expresses the underlying reality that lies beneath the outward appearance, the inner meaning. A physical shape has no significance until we apply to it an idea, a concept, a word. A flat piece of wood, supported by wooden sticks is meaningless until we recognize a table — something to put things on. So the meaning of Scripture has no fundamental reality until we recognize the golden thread of God’s purpose, consummated in Jesus.

This word “aletheia° has no verbal connection with our usual conception of truth as correct, accurate, verifiable by evidence. “Faith is… the evidence of things not seen° [Heb 11:1], and this truth is Jesus.