What Is the Church - Part 1 (How Did We Get Here?)

A Historical Word Study: “Church” (From Hebrew to English)1. Hebrew Roots – Qahal (קָהָל) and Edah (עֵדָה)In the Hebrew Bible, two main words express the idea of a gathered people:Qahal (קָהָל) – “assembly,” “congregation”First used in Deuteronomy 4:10 to describe the people assembled at Mount Sinai.It refers to a divinely summoned gathering, especially for worship, war, or covenant.Often translated as ekklesia in the Septuagint (Greek OT).Edah (עֵדָה) – “community,” often used synonymously with qahal but slightly more descriptive of a group identity, such as the congregation of Israel.2. Greek Translation – Ekklesia (ἐκκλησία)When the Hebrew scriptures were translated into Greek (the Septuagint, ~3rd–2nd century BC), qahal was rendered as:Ekklesia (ἐκκλησία) – “called-out ones” or “assembly”From ek (out) + kaleo (to call)A secular Greek term used for political gatherings or city assemblies, later adopted for the community of believers in Christ.Jesus uses it in Matthew 16:18: “Upon this rock I will build my ekklesia.”In the New Testament, ekklesia appears over 100 times and always refers to the gathered body of believers—either universally or locally.3. Latin Transition – EcclesiaAs Christianity spread into the Roman Empire, the Greek ekklesia was transliterated into Latin as:EcclesiaCarried over the same meaning: the body of believers or the Christian assembly.Used in early church writings (e.g., Jerome's Vulgate, 4th century AD).4. Germanic Influence – Kirika/KircheThe English word “church” does not derive from ekklesia directly but rather through the Germanic adaptation of another Greek word:Greek: Kyriakon (κυριακόν) – “belonging to the Lord”From kyrios (Lord), as in “the Lord’s house” (kyriakon doma).This word began to refer to a building used for Christian worship.This term passed into:Old High German: KirihhaMiddle High German: KircheOld English: Cirice or CyriceModern English: ChurchSo while ekklesia referred to the people, kyriakon referred to the place/building. Over time, "church" in English absorbed both meanings.5. Theological ImplicationsThis word development affects our understanding of “church”:Biblical Use: Ekklesia = people of God gathered in Christ.Later Use: Church = people and place; often shifted toward institutional and architectural emphasis.Reformers’ Concern: Many Reformers (e.g., William Tyndale) avoided using “church” to translate ekklesia, preferring “congregation” to emphasize the people, not the building or institution.ConclusionThe English word “church” has a complicated linguistic journey that combines two major biblical themes:The People – Ekklesia: the gathered, called-out followers of Jesus.The Place – Kyriakon: the space belonging to the Lord for worship.Understanding this history helps us return to the biblical vision of the church—not primarily as a building or institution, but as a community of called-out people living under the lordship of Jesus.