What Is Amen?
Amen is a word of affirmation of Hebrew origin, from a root meaning 'to be firm, reliable'; it means 'so be it, certainly true'. In the Bible it is the word of communal worship: in the Old Testament the people take up the words read and the praise offered by saying 'Amen', and the doxologies closing sections of the Psalms are sealed with 'Amen and Amen'. The word has passed into the world's languages almost unchanged. The New Testament shows two striking uses. The first is unique to Jesus: he opens sayings with 'Amen, amen, I say to you' — often translated 'truly I tell you' — placing the affirmation before the word rather than after it, a mark of speaking with authority. The second is Paul's grounding of the community's 'Amen' in Christ: 'For however many are the promises of God, in him is the “Yes.” Therefore also through him is the “Amen”, to the glory of God through us.' The Bible itself closes with 'Amen'.