To say, to speak with authority. Jesus said and it was so. When Jesus speaks everything listens. His words carry the weight of creation behind them.

In Greek thought, the logos was the rational principle holding the universe together. John opens his Gospel with this word — not as a concept, but as a person. In the beginning was the Word. Before anything existed, the Word already was.

Lord, master, owner. Kurios. Jesus is Lord. The foundational confession of Christianity. Lord means owner. To confess Jesus as Lord is to surrender ownership of your life.

No, not, never. Mé. The softest Greek negative, used to deny what is possible or expected. When God says no, he means it.

To live, to be alive. Zao. I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in Me will live. Life in Scripture is always relational. To live is to be connected to the source of life.

Remain, survive, be left behind. Perileipō. Paul uses this word to comfort those anxious about believers who die before Christ's return. The ones still remaining at his coming are not forgotten. Neither are the ones already gone.

Coming, presence, arrival. Parousia. The coming of the Lord. The return of Jesus is not a footnote in Christian hope. It is the anchor of it. He is coming. Be ready.

Arrive, precede, come upon. Phthanō. The kingdom of God has come upon you. What God sends does not approach slowly; it arrives.

To put to sleep, to fall asleep, to die. We do not grieve like those who have no hope for God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in Him.