Rhema vs. Logos — What's the Difference?

Rhema is a particular message or revelation, often divine in origin.

Logos embodies the universal truth or eternal knowledge.

Rhema emphasizes the individuality and uniqueness of a word.

Logos, in Christian belief, refers to the Word of God or Christ.

Rhema signifies a specific word or utterance, often of importance.

Logos is a rational principle believed to govern the cosmos.

Rhema in theology indicates a personalized word from God.

Logos represents an overarching and foundational message.

Rhema is a timely and situation-specific word.

Logos (UK: , US: ; Ancient Greek: λόγος, romanized: lógos; from λέγω, légō, lit. ''I say'') is a term in Western philosophy, psychology, rhetoric, and religion derived from a Greek word variously meaning "ground", "plea", "opinion", "expectation", "word", "speech", "account", "reason", "proportion", and "discourse". It became a technical term in Western philosophy beginning with Heraclitus (c.  535 – c.  475 BC), who used the term for a principle of order and knowledge.Ancient Greek philosophers used the term in different ways.

Rhema (ῥῆμα in Greek) literally means an "utterance" or "thing said" in Greek. It is a word that signifies the action of utterance.In philosophy, it was used by both Plato and Aristotle to refer to propositions or sentences.In Christianity, it is used in reference to the concept of Rhematos Christou, Jesus Christ's sayings.

The Word of God, or principle of divine reason and creative order, identified in the Gospel of John with the second person of the Trinity incarnate in Jesus Christ.

(Christianity) A spiritual communication or inspiration from God to an individual, as opposed to the universal Logos.

(in Jungian psychology) the principle of reason and judgement, associated with the animus.

In pre-Socratic philosophy, the principle governing the cosmos, the source of this principle, or human reasoning about the cosmos.

Among the Sophists, the topics of rational argument or the arguments themselves.

In Stoicism, the active, material, rational principle of the cosmos; nous. Identified with God, it is the source of all activity and generation and is the power of reason residing in the human soul.

In biblical Judaism, the word of God, which itself has creative power and is God's medium of communication with the human race.

In Hellenistic Judaism, a hypostasis associated with divine wisdom.

(Christianity) In Saint John's Gospel, especially in the prologue (1:1-14), the creative word of God, which is itself God and incarnate in Jesus. Also called Word.

(rhetoric) A form of rhetoric in which the writer or speaker uses logic as the main argument.

Alternative case form of Logos

A word; reason; speech.

The divine Word; Christ.

The divine word of God; the second person in the Trinity (incarnate in Jesus)

Logos is the principle of divine reason and order.

Yes, believers often view a Rhema word as specific guidance or direction for their situation.

No, while they have religious significance, Logos also holds philosophical importance, especially in Greek thought.

Logos is seen as the rational principle governing and organizing the universe.

While often used in divine contexts, Rhema essentially denotes a specific word or message, not necessarily divine.

Logos is introduced as "In the beginning was the Word (Logos)," denoting its eternal nature.

Rhema represents a specific utterance or word, often from God, while Logos signifies a universal principle or reason.

Rhema often denotes a personal revelation from God, whereas Logos refers to the Word of God or Christ.

Yes, Rhema is often situational, providing specific insight or guidance.