Disciple or Follower?

[Richard Aberdeen]

Greek "mathetai"; means "student", "follower". It has no special religious connotation or significance, other than that to follow Jesus is both a significant and important choice. The word in Greek can be used in reference to a follower of anybody, from Karl Marx and Charles Darwin, to Ayn Rand and Donald Trump to any Tom, Dick or Jane on the web (who would be most likely no worse of a choice to follow).

When the New Testament uses the word 'disciple", it is simply referring to the followers of Jesus and thus, the word should be correctly translated into English as "follower" or "student/follower". Translating or speaking otherwise implies an orthodox religious context where none is likely intended.

The Bible is clear that blessed are those "who" do the teaching of Jesus. It is not enough to just believe or to just be a student. One must do what Jesus says to be a follower of Jesus: "Faith without works is dead." Thus, it is fair to say that "follower" is the best English translation for the Greek "mathetai", rather than just student.

 

[Jay Ross]

Greek "mathetai"; means "student", "follower". It has no special religious connotation or significance, other than that to follow Jesus is both a significant and important choice. The word in Greek can be used in reference to a follower of anybody, from Karl Marx and Charles Darwin, to Ayn Rand and Donald Trump to any Tom, Dick or Jane on the web (who would be most likely no worse of a choice to follow).

One can follow anyone, but to be a follower of Jesus we must also be one of His disciples and apply what He is showing us to do otherwise, we are not His follower or disciple.

Shalom

 

[Richard Aberdeen]

View attachment 86180

One can follow anyone, but to be a follower of Jesus we must also be one of His disciples and apply what He is showing us to do otherwise, we are not His follower or disciple.

Shalom

Disciple is a 16th Century Middle English word. It is foolish to use 16th Century English in the modern world where no one speaks Middle English anymore. Dumb, ignorant and unreasonable to use the wrong language.

 

[MatthewG]

Yeah Jesus says a lot about picking up ones on cross and stuff and it’s hard to die to oneself when it’s always trying to come back up from the dead, at least that’s my opinion.

 

[bdavidc]

Greek "mathetai"; means "student", "follower". It has no special religious connotation or significance, other than that to follow Jesus is both a significant and important choice. The word in Greek can be used in reference to a follower of anybody, from Karl Marx and Charles Darwin, to Ayn Rand and Donald Trump to any Tom, Dick or Jane on the web (who would be most likely no worse of a choice to follow).

When the New Testament uses the word 'disciple", it is simply referring to the followers of Jesus and thus, the word should be correctly translated into English as "follower" or "student/follower". Translating or speaking otherwise implies an orthodox religious context where none is likely intended.

The Bible is clear that blessed are those "who" do the teaching of Jesus. It is not enough to just believe or to just be a student. One must do what Jesus says to be a follower of Jesus: "Faith without works is dead." Thus, it is fair to say that "follower" is the best English translation for the Greek "mathetai", rather than just student.

You are half right on the word and wrong on the conclusion.

Yes, mathetai means disciples, learners, pupils, or followers. Nobody needs to pretend the Greek word only had a religious use. But that does not mean the New Testament use is spiritually empty. Words get their force from context, and the context is not Karl Marx, Charles Darwin, Ayn Rand, Donald Trump, or “Tom, Dick, or Jane.” The context is Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

Jesus did not speak of casual followers. He said, “If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed” ~John 8:31. He also said, “Whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple” ~Luke 14:27. That is not merely being a student in the ordinary classroom sense. That is allegiance to Christ.

So “follower” is not wrong, but it is too thin if it is used to drain the word of its New Testament weight. A disciple of Jesus is a learner who follows Him, continues in His word, and belongs to Him.

The dangerous part is this statement: “It is not enough to just believe.” That depends what you mean by believe. If you mean empty lip service, then yes, that is dead. James said, “faith without works is dead” ~James 2:20. But if you mean true biblical faith in Christ, then Scripture does not allow you to say belief is not enough. Jesus said, “He that believeth on me hath everlasting life” ~John 6:47. He did not say, “He that believes plus proves enough obedience earns everlasting life.”

Paul says plainly, “But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness” ~Romans 4:5. That verse does not need help from man’s religious language. God justifies the ungodly by faith, not by works.

Good works matter, but they are the fruit of real faith, not the ground of justification. Ephesians 2:8-10 gives the order clearly. “For by grace are ye saved through faith... not of works, lest any man should boast.” Then it says we are “created in Christ Jesus unto good works.” Saved by grace through faith first. Good works follow.

So yes, a disciple is a follower. But a follower of Jesus is not merely someone who likes His teaching. He believes Christ, continues in His word, obeys Him, and bears fruit because he has life. Do not use James to overturn John 6:47, Romans 4:5, or Ephesians 2:8-9. Scripture does not contradict Scripture.