THE CONJUNCTION “AND,” in GREEK, “KAI” | By: Arlou June D. Gomez

 THE CONJUNCTION “AND,” in GREEK, “KAI” |

By: Arlou June D. Gomez

The conjunction “and” in the Bible does not really make a distinction nor a separation as to persons in the Godhead. It’s a trinitarian interpretation, but not a biblical contemplation. 

The conjunction “and” comes from the Greek word “kai,” which can be translated as “and” or as “EVEN” (in the sense of “that is” or “WHICH IS THE SAME AS”). 

For example, the KJV translates  kai  as “and” in II Corinthians 1:2 but as “even” in verse 3. Verse 2 says, “From God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ,” while verse 3 says, “God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” So “and,” and “even,” comes from the same Greek word “kai.”

So Verse 2 could properly appear as, “From God our Father, even (kai, and) from the Lord Jesus Christ,” or simply, “From God our Father, which is the same as (kai, and) from our Lord Jesus Christ.” [David K. Bernard, Oneness of God, pg. 207-208]

Thus, in the original Greek, “and” makes no distinction between “God” and “Father,” neither a distinction between the “Father” and the “Lord Jesus Christ.” “Kai” refers to one and the same being. 

Otherwise, trinitarian interpretation, if pressed too much, would lead to absurdity. For if “kai” is used to prove distinction of persons in the Godhead, it would make “God” and the “Father” separate persons. And if God is a trinity, i.e., composed of three persons already, then the “Father” would be a “fourth person.” Making the trinitarian God equals to “God the Father,” “God the Son,” “God the Holy Ghost,” plus, another “God the father.”

For example, in Galatians 1:4, it says “God and (kai) our Father.” It is understandable here that God and father are one and the same being. “Kai” does not make them two distinct or separate persons but rather, God, “even” our Father, or God, “which is the same as” our father. That’s why in NIV, the verse clearly says “our God and Father.”

Thus, for a better comprehension — 

Romans 1:7: “Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ,” could simply mean, “Grace be unto you and peace from God our father, ‘even’ or ‘which is the same as’ our Lord Jesus Christ.” 

I Thessalonians 3:11 says, “Now God himself and our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way unto you,” could simply mean “Now God himself ‘even our father, or ‘which is the same as’ our Father, ‘even’ or ‘which is the same as’ our Lord Jesus Christ.”

In this passage, nobody would dare to say that “and” separates the Father and Jesus, for if so, they would be force to admit that ‘and’ separates “God” and the “Father.” Which again would be absurd based on the foregoing reasons.

In fine, first century Greek-speaking Christians would have no problem with the word “kai.” They would easily interpret Paul’s salutation as still a oneness statement of the Godhead. They will have no any squabbles with the term. 

That’s why its imperative for every bible student to acquire and learn how to use a Greek and Hebrew Bible Dictionary. It will come in handy one day.