.....It's a Greek word.
Paul uses the word in his letter to the Ephesians in talking about the nature of the Christian church and again in his letter to the Galatians, challenging and correcting them in some of their conduct.
In both cases it is translated into our English word ‘truth’.
Eph 4:15 “Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ.”
Gal 4:16 “Have I now become your enemy by telling you the truth?”
It is hard to speak the truth in love. It is easier to speak it in anger. I’ve done both so I speak from experience.
Speaking truth in anger has no care for the damage it may do.
Speaking truth in love is concerned about the healing it might bring.
I have friends who will speak the truth in love to me. Sometimes, it’s not easy to hear it.
I have friends who hold back from speaking the truth to me. Sometimes, it’s not easy to speak it.
I am thankful for those friends who don’t want to hurt me with the kind of truth that is not fun to hear.
But I am doubly thankful for those few who will speak the truth to me in love, and challenge me to change a wrong attitude or action.
And when they do, I want to respond in the same way. In love.
