Way
Way
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A striking peculiarity of the Book of the Acts is that in several passages the Christian religion itself is called the Way. Saul, if he finds at Damascus any that were of the Way ( ), is to bring them to Jerusalem (Act 9:2). Some were speaking evil of the Way; there arose no small stir concerning the Way; I persecuted this Way unto the death; Felix, having more exact knowledge concerning the Way (Act 19:9; Act 19:23, Act 22:4, Act 24:22). The idiom, though found only in the Acts, must have been familiar. We do not wonder that a word lending itself so easily to figurative use should be applied to religion as frequently as is the case in Scripture, and that Christianity should be called pre-eminently the Way. It is an interesting parallel that in Taoism, the second indigenous religion of China, Tao means Way; Tao-teh-king = Book of the Way of Virtue. In the NT we are familiar with way of the Lord, of salvation, of God, of truth; I am the way (Joh 14:6); the narrow and the broad way (Mat 7:13 f.). The phrase is even more common in the OT than in the NT, as a reference to the art, in HDB (iv. 899) will show. It is specially frequent in the Psalter: The way of the righteous the way of the wicked (Psa 1:6). Other notable passages are Isa 30:21; Isa 35:8. The Didache, an early Christian manual, expatiates on the way of life and the way of death. The phrase seems to suggest the active, practical aspects of religion-Gods dealings with man, mans conduct towards God and his fellows. The commandments, worship, prayer, holiness, repentance, all have an ethical side and are even ethical in essence. J. Butlers remark that religion is a practical thing is quite in the spirit of the whole of Scripture, as seen in the Prophets, the Sermon on the Mount, the Parables, and the Epistles, Every one which heareth these words of mine, and doeth them and doeth them not (Mat 7:24; Mat 7:26); Inasmuch as ye did it did it not (Mat 25:40; Mat 25:45). The proof of love is keeping the commandments. The teaching of Paul and Peter, John and James is no less practical than that of the Master.
Literature.-Commentaries on Act 9:2; A. E. Garvie, HDB , art. Way.
J. S. Banks.
Fuente: Dictionary of the Apostolic Church
Way
This word has now in ordinary parlance so entirely forsaken its original sense (except in combination, as in “highway,”” causeway”), and is so uniformly employed in the secondary or metaphorical sense of a “custom” or “manner,” that it is difficult to remember that in the Bible it most frequently signifies an actual road or track. Our translators have employed it as the equivalent of no less than eighteen distinct Hebrew terms. Of these several had the same secondary sense which the word “way” has with us. Two others ( and ) are employed only by the poets, and are commonly rendered “path” in the A.V. But the term which most frequently occurs, and in the majority of cases signifies (though it also is now and then used metaphorically) an actual road, is , derek, connected with the German treten, and the English “tread.” It may be truly said that there is hardly a single passage in which this word occurs which would not be made clearer and more real if “road to” were substituted for “way of.” Thus Gen 16:7, “the spring of the road to Shur;” Num 14:24, “the road to the Red Sea;” 1Sa 6:12, “the road to Bethshemesh;” Jdg 9:37, “the road to the oak of Meonenim;” 2Ki 11:19, “the road to the gate.” It turns that which is a mere general expression into a substantial reality. In like manner the word in the New Test. is almost invariably translated “way.” Mar 10:32, “They were on the road going up to Jerusalem;” Mat 20:17, “and Jesus took the twelve disciples apart in the road”out of the crowd of pilgrims who, like themselves, were bound for the Passover.
There is one use of both derek and which must not be passed over, viz. in the sense of a religious course. In the Old Test. this occurs but rarely, perhaps twice: namely in Amo 8:14, “the manner of Beersheba,” where the prophet is probably alluding to some idolatrous rites then practiced there; and again in Psa 139:24, “look if there be any evil way,” any idolatrous practices, “in me, and lead me in the everlasting way.” But in the Acts of the Apostles , “the way,” “the road,” is the received, almost technical, term for the new religion which Paul first resisted and afterwards supported. See Act 9:2; Act 19:9; Act 19:23; Act 22:4; Act 24:14; Act 24:22. In each of these the word “that” is an interpolation of our translators, and should have been put into italics, as it is in Acs 24:22.
The religion of Islam is spoken of in the Koran as “the path” (et-tarik, 4:66), and ” the right path” (1:5, 4:174). Gesenius (Thesaur. page 353) has collected examples of the same expression in other languages and religions. SEE ROAD.
Fuente: Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature
Way
Used in the sense “religious system,” course of life (Psa 139:24). Amo 8:14, “the manner of Beersheba.” The new religion of Christ (Act 9:2; Act 19:9).
Fuente: Fausset’s Bible Dictionary
WAY
During the time of the early church, Christianity was known as the way (Act 9:2; Act 19:9; Act 19:23; Act 22:4; Act 24:14; Act 24:22). Possibly this was because Christians spoke of their newfound life as the way of the Lord, the way of life, or the way of salvation (cf. Mat 7:13-14; Luk 20:21; Joh 1:23; Joh 14:6; Act 16:17). This usage was common also among believers in Old Testament times (Psa 16:11; Psa 18:21; Psa 18:30; Psa 18:32; Psa 27:11).
Since the way of God led to true life and true enjoyment, that way may have meant Gods will and Gods commandments (Job 21:14; Psa 37:23-24; Psa 119:27; Psa 119:37; Jer 5:4; Mat 22:16; Rom 11:33; Rev 15:3). The word could also refer to a persons manner of life in general. In that sense the way of the righteous was often contrasted with the way of the wicked (Psa 1:1; Psa 1:6; Psa 37:5; Pro 4:18-19; Pro 14:12; Jer 7:3; Rom 3:16; 1Co 12:31; Jam 5:20). (See also WALK.)
Fuente: Bridgeway Bible Dictionary
Way
WAY.The term way is used in the OT and NT in a great variety of senses, physical (see art. Roads) and moral. Any good concordance will show the frequency of the word and the range of its application. Jesus calls Himself the Way. I am the way, the truth, and the life; no man cometh unto the Father, but by me (Joh 14:6). In the remarkable interview in which this passage occurs, the subject of conversation was the goal of life, the ultimate destiny of the little company. I go to prepare a place for you. The declaration was an enigma. Thomas and Philip gave expression to the perplexity of the rest. We know not whither thou goest, and how can we know the way? The whither is (1) union with God, (2) the Fathers home, and as a corollary, (3) holiness. But the way to the endwhat is it? I am the way. As if He said, Through me, through what I have done, through what I have been teaching, through what I am about to do. They had forgotten, or not understood, that He was the Incarnate Word, that He and the Father were one, and that He was laying down His life for them; but when they did understand these things then they would know the way. In Heb 10:19-20 the blood of Christ seems to be the way: Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which he hath consecrated for us. Those who believe in Christ are of the Way (Act 9:2; Act 19:9; Act 22:4). Saul desired of the high priest letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any that were of the Way, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem. The name served as a convenient term by which to describe the disciples in the early Church. Among the orthodox Jews it was a term of contempt; among the disciples of honour: for had not Jesus claimed to be the Way? A way leads to somewhere. Christ the new and living way leads to holiness, and heaven, and God.
Literature.The Lexicons of Cremer and Grimm-Thayer, s.v. ; Expositor, iv. x. [1894] 450 ff.; Paget, Christ the Way (1902).
R. Leggat.
Fuente: A Dictionary Of Christ And The Gospels
Way
WAY
1. OT usage.(a) Of a road or journey (1Sa 6:9; 1Sa 6:12, 2Ki 3:20, Jer 2:18). (b) Figuratively, of a course of conduct or character (Job 17:9, Psa 91:11), either in a good sense as approved by God (Deu 31:29, Psa 50:23, Isa 30:21), or in a bad sense of mans own choosing (Psa 139:24, Isa 65:2, Jer 18:11). (c) Of the way of Jehovah, His creative power (Job 26:14), His moral rule and commandments (Job 21:14, Psa 18:30, Pro 8:32).
2. NT usage.(a) In the literal sense (Mat 4:16; Mat 10:5, Act 8:25). (b) Figuratively, as in OT of human conduct, or Gods purpose for man (Mat 21:32, Act 14:16, Rom 11:33, 1Co 4:17, Jam 5:20). But the gospel greatly enriched the ethical and religious import of the word. Though Jesus was addressed as one who taught the way of God in truth (Mat 22:16), He Himself claimed to show the way to the Father because He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life (Joh 14:4-6). By Him the two worlds were united (Westcott). This is equivalent to the Apostolic doctrine that Christ is the gospel (Mar 1:1, Rom 15:18). In Heb 9:8; Heb 10:20 there is the similar thought that Jesus by His life, death, and exaltation has opened a way whereby men may enter into the holy presence of God, and enables them also to walk therein. In Acts the Way is used with the distinctive meaning of the Christian faith and manner of life, which is the only way that leads to salvation (Act 9:2; Act 19:9; Act 19:23; Act 24:22). This is the way of the Lord so often referred to in the OT, of which Jesus became the final and perfect revealer. The development of the conception may be traced in Act 16:17; Act 18:25-26.
R. A. Falconer.
Fuente: Hastings’ Dictionary of the Bible
Way
wa (, ‘orah, , ‘orha’, , ‘erec, , bo’, , derekh, , halkhah, , magalah, , nathbh; , hodos, , parodos, , porea, , tropos; highway, , mesillah, , maslul; , diexodoi ton hodon): The list just cited contains only a portion of the words translated way or highway in the King James Version. Most of them have the primary meaning of road, customary path, course of travel (Gen 3:24; Exo 23:20; Num 20:17, etc.). By a very easy and natural figure way is applied to the course of human conduct, the manner of life which one lives (Exo 18:20; Exo 32:8; Num 22:32; 1Sa 8:3; 1Ki 13:33, etc.; Act 14:16; 1Co 4:17; Jam 5:20). The way of an eagle … of a serpent … of a ship … and of a man (Pro 30:19) agree in that they leave no trace behind them (compare The Wisdom of Solomon 5:10, 11). In some cases the language may be such as to leave it indeterminate whether the way or course of conduct is good or bad (Deu 28:29; 1Sa 18:14; 2Ch 27:7; Job 13:15; Pro 3:6; Pro 6:6; Jam 1:8), though in most cases the Bible writers attach to every act an ethical evaluation. Sometimes this way of conduct is of purely human choice, without reference to either God or good (Jdg 2:19; Job 22:15; Job 34:21; Psa 119:9; Pro 12:15; Pro 16:2). Such a course is evil (2Ch 7:14; Psa 1:6; Psa 119:101, Psa 119:104, Psa 119:128; Pro 1:19, etc.) and will obtain such punishment as its lack of merit warrants (1Ki 8:32, 1Ki 8:39; 2Ch 6:23; Job 30:12; Job 34:11; Jer 17:10; Ezk Jer 7:3, Jer 7:9; Hos 12:2). At the opposite extreme from this is the good way (Psa 1:6; Pro 8:20; Pro 12:28; Pro 15:10; Isa 26:7), which is that course of conduct enjoined by God and exemplified in His perfect conduct (Gen 6:12; Gen 18:19; Deu 8:6; Deu 26:17; 1Ki 2:3; Job 23:11; Psa 51:13, etc.). These two ways briefly but graphically described by the Lord (Mat 7:13, Mat 7:14; compare Luk 13:24) became the subject of extended catechetical instruction in the early church. See the Epistle of Barnabas, xviii, and the Didache i. 1. Frequently the way in this metaphorical sense is characterized by that quality which is its outstanding feature, e.g. mention is made of the way of life (Pro 15:24; Jer 21:8; Act 2:28); of truth (Psa 119:30; 2Pe 2:2); of peace (Isa 59:8; Luk 1:79; Rom 3:17); of justice (Pro 17:23; Dan 4:37); of righteousness (Mat 21:32; 2Pe 2:21); of salvation (Act 16:17); of lying (Psa 119:29), and of death (Jer 21:8). Frequently God’s purpose or His customary action is described as His way (Psa 103:7; Isa 26:8; Mat 22:16; Act 13:10). Since all of God’s plans and purposes tend toward man’s salvation, His provisions to this end are frequently spoken of as His Way, and inasmuch as all of the divine plans center in Christ He is preeminently the Way (Joh 14:6). Out of this fact grew the title, The Way, one of the earliest names applied to Christianity (Act 9:2; Act 18:25, Act 18:26; Act 19:9, Act 19:23; Act 22:4; Act 24:22).
The word highway is used to denote a prominent road, such a one for example as was in ancient times maintained for royal travel and by royal authority. It is always used in the literal sense except in Pro 15:19; Pro 16:17, where it is a course of conduct. See also PATH, PATHWAY.
Fuente: International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
Way
denotes (a) “a natural path, road, way,” frequent in the Synoptic Gospels; elsewhere, e.g., Act 8:26; 1Th 3:11; Jam 2:25; Rev 16:12; (b) “a traveler’s way” (see JOURNEY); (c) metaphorically, of “a course of conduct,” or “way of thinking,” e.g., of righteousness, Mat 21:32; 2Pe 2:21; of God, Mat 22:16, and parallels, i.e., the “way” instructed and approved by God; so Act 18:26; Heb 3:10, “My ways” (cp. Rev 15:3); of the Lord, Act 18:25; “that leadeth to destruction,” Mat 7:13; “… unto life,” Mat 7:14; of peace, Luk 1:79; Rom 3:17; of Paul’s “ways” in Christ, 1Co 1:17 (plural); “more excellent” (of love), 1Co 12:31; of truth, 2Pe 2:2; of the right “way,” 2Pe 2:15; of Balaam (id); of Cain, Jud 1:11; of a “way” consisting in what is from God, e.g., of life, Act 2:28 (plural); of salvation, Act 16:17; personified, of Christ as the means of access to the Father, Joh 14:6; of the course followed and characterized by the followers of Christ, Act 9:2; Act 19:9, Act 19:23; Act 24:22. See HIGHWAY.
Note: In Luk 5:19; Luk 19:4 the noun is not expressed in the original, but is understood.
“a passing or passage,” is used with en, “in,” 1Co 16:7, “by the way” (lit, “in passing”).
“a turning, a manner,” is translated “way” in Rom 3:2, “(every) way;” Phi 1:18, “(in every) way.” See CONVERSATION, MANNER, MEANS.
Notes: (1) In Jam 1:11, AV, poreia, “a journey, a going,”). (2) In Heb 12:17, topos, “a place,” is rendered in AV marg., “way (to change his mind).” (3) For the AV rendering of makran “a good (or great) way off,” Mat 8:30; Luk 15:20, see FAR, B, No. 1. (4) In Luk 14:32, porro is rendered “a great way off.” (5) In Heb 5:2, AV, planao, Middle Voice, “to wander,” is rendered “(them) that are out of the way,” RV, “(the) erring.” (6) In Col 2:14; 2Th 2:7, ek mesou, is translated “out of the way;” see MIDST, Note (1) (e). (7) For “two ways” in Mar 11:4, AV see STREET. (8) In Joh 10:1, the adverb allachothen, “from some other place” (from allos, “another”), is translated “some other way.” (9) In 2Pe 3:1, the AV translates en “by way of” (“by,” RV). (10) In Gal 2:5, the renderings “by,” AV, “in the way of,” RV, serve to express the dative case of hupotage, subjection. (11) For propempo, “to bring on one’s way,” Act 15:3; Act 21:5, and the AV of 2Co 1:16 (RV, “to be set forward on my journey”), see BRING, No. 25. (12) Aperchomai, “to go away,” is rendered “to go one’s way,” e.g., Mat 13:25; Mat 20:4; Mar 11:4; Mar 12:12; Luk 19:32; Joh 11:46; Act 9:17; Jam 1:24, see GO, No. 14. (13) In Luk 8:14, AV, poreuomai, “to go on one’s way” (RV), is rendered “go forth;” in Luk 13:33, AV, “walk” (RV, “go on my way”); in Mat 24:1, AV, it is rendered “departed” (RV, “was going on his way”): see DEPART, No. 8. (14) In Act 24:3, pante is rendered “in all ways” (AV, “always”). (15) In Rom 3:12, AV, ekklino, “to turn aside” (RV), is rendered “are gone out of the way.” (16) See also ESCAPE, B, LASCIVIOUS.
Fuente: Vine’s Dictionary of New Testament Words
Way
This word is used to describe the manner of life which is lived by both saved and unsaved. Sometimes it is a good way called the “narrow way.” Sometimes it is the road which the wicked travel down to destruction. Some samples are given of these two ways.
Gen 24:42 (a) The servant of Abraham is referring to the path he took and the course he pursued in carrying out the instructions of Abraham. (See Gen 24:27).
Psa 110:7 (b) This is a reference to the life of our Lord as He walked through the desolate scenes of earth. He refreshed His heart from the ministry of the Spirit and communion with His Father.
Psa 119:1 (b) By this is described the general path of life which the Christian enters at the new birth and pursues on his way to Heaven. Christianity is a way of living, a manner of life. (See also Act 9:2).
Psa 119:29 (a) There are those who persistently live a life of deceit in seeking to obtain position, power and wealth. This is the course referred to in this verse. (See also Psa 139:24).
Pro 14:12 (a) Satan is very clever in devising a path of life that seems to be the right way to Heaven. Every false religion teaches one of the ways of Satan. These paths or programs appear to be all right to the person who does not know GOD, nor the teachings of the Scriptures. Every one of these paths of living are opposed to the one way which is CHRIST JESUS. Everyone is a substitute for CHRIST JESUS. These seem right to men, but they end in hell. (See also Pro 16:25).
Isa 59:8 (a) GOD has a path for His people in which peace with GOD rules and reigns. It is a way of rest in which CHRIST blots out the sins, GOD the Father justifies the soul, the Holy Spirit directs the path, and there is no fretting nor worrying. It is GOD’s path for everyone of His children. (See also Rom 3:17).
Joh 14:6 (a) Here we see a beautiful description of the Person of the Lord JESUS CHRIST, the only one who can bring us to the Father. He only can make us fit for Heaven, He only has the right and the power to take us to GOD.