We use “amen” to mean “good-bye” or “I’m through praying now”. It gets short-changed, mumbled and rushed through so we can go on about our business. That is definitely NOT the Bible’s use of the word!
The Bible uses “Amen” to mean “So be it” or “I accept and agree”. It’s like clicking the Approve button on a user agreement or terms-and-conditions statement. It is affirming the foregoing statement and expressing solidarity with it. It has the effect of a Congressperson co-sponsoring a bill: It signals approval and willingness to be identified with the sentiment that has been stated.
Amen to Instructions
The word “Amen” appears in my Bible 53 times. The first thirteen times are in Numbers and Deuteronomy, during the Exodus and the initial giving of the Law, when describing curses! Many of those are in Deuteronomy 27:11-26, with the pattern “Cursed is he who [does something forbidden].’ And all the people shall say, ‘Amen.’“
Another example is in 1 Kings 1:32-37. David had given instructions that his son Solomon was to be anointed as king after him. His subordinate Benaiah answered “Amen! Thus may the LORD, the God of my lord the king, say. As the LORD has been with my lord the king, so may He be with Solomon…” The other Old Testament references are in the same vein. A leader makes a pronouncement, and the people reply with “Amen” to agree with him.
Amen to Praise
My favorite of these is recorded in 1 Chronicles chapter 16, which tells of the celebration when King David brought the Ark of the Covenant to its home in Jerusalem. It had been captured by their enemies, the Philistines (1 Samuel chapters 4-6). When first recovered, it had been temporarily housed — for twenty years! — in the city of Kiriath-jearim in the house of a man named Abinadab. Finally, the kingdom was secure under David’s reign, and the Ark could be brought to the capital city.
Verse 7 says that this celebration was the first time that David assigned a man named Asaph and his relatives “to give thanks to the LORD.” Twelve of the Psalms (Psalm 50, and Psalms 73 through 83) are specifically titled as “a song of Asaph”. The first psalm recorded, though, is right there in 1 Chronicles 16:8-36. I won’t quote all of it here, but please go read it at the link. Here are excerpts:
Oh give thanks to the LORD, call upon His name;
1 Chronicles 16:8-36
Make known His deeds among the peoples.
…
Remember His covenant forever,
The word which He commanded to a thousand generations,
…
For all the gods of the peoples are idols,
But the LORD made the heavens.
…
Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice;
And let them say among the nations, “The LORD reigns.”
Let the sea roar, and all it contains;
Let the field exult, and all that is in it.
Then the trees of the forest will sing for joy before the LORD;
…
Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel,
From everlasting even to everlasting.
I’m including this story, first of all, just because the psalm is beautiful. But it is relevant to this article because of the people’s response to it: “Then all the people said, “Amen,” and praised the LORD.” The entire congregation was equally invested in the praise along with David and Asaph.
Amen to Prayer
In the Gospels, the only use of “Amen” is by Jesus at the end of the Lord’s Prayer in Matthew 6:9-13 1. Throughout Paul’s writings, he frequently ended a prayer, praise or doxology with “Amen”. Peter and Jude did the same.
Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.
1 Timothy 1:17
…so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
1 Peter 4:11
Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy, to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.
Jude 1:24-25
In these cases, it was the original speaker saying the “Amen”, rather than the people responding. This is probably where the Christian habit began.
Amen as Agreement
A telling reference that gives the meaning of the word is in 1 Corinthians 14:13-17. Paul is instructing the church at Corinth about the proper use of “speaking in tongues”, praising God in a language unknown to the others in attendance. He says not to do so unless someone else is present who can interpret that language to the audience. Otherwise “…how will the one who fills the place of the ungifted say the “Amen” at your giving of thanks, since he does not know what you are saying?” (verse 16).
Depending on how expressive a given congregation happens to be, it’s not uncommon to hear “Amen’s” from the crowd during a sermon. The listeners are letting the speaker know that they agree with him. They are not listening passively; they are active participants in the message being given.
Amen to, and through, Jesus
Speaking of Jesus to the church at Corinth, Paul says:
For as many as are the promises of God, in Him they are yes; therefore also through Him is our Amen to the glory of God through us.
2 Corinthians 1:20
Finally, Revelation 3:14 calls Jesus “The Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God“.
Here is Larnelle Harris singing the classic song “Amen“. Notice that even though he is telling the story of Jesus’ birth, life, death, and resurrection, at every point the response is “Amen!” Those singing along are taking the story in as their own, and joining with Larnelle in the crescendo of joy.
Amen!
