“For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear;
but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.”
(Romans 8:15)
When Jesus prayed, he addressed the God of heaven and Creator of all things with the reverent familial word a child would use for his father, Abba. For this reason, we should consider this word more closely in order to understand its significance.
Commonly, abba is an Aramaic word used by Aramaic-speaking people when addressing their earthly father; and it is the first word middle Eastern children learn. It is also used to address a respected person of rank. For example, a student might use this term to address a teacher.
“Abba” appears three times in the New Testament – in Mark 14:36, Romans 8:15, and Galatians 4:6. In addition, in all three occurrences the phrase is used in fervent prayers. In Mark 14:36, for example, Jesus uses this word when praying in the Garden of Gethsemane before he is arrested and taken to be crucified. Jesus used abba in reference to his heavenly Father, and he taught his disciples to follow his example.
In each of these three instances as well, the Greek expression ho patēr (“the Father”) immediately follows. So when the Aramaic “abba” is used, it is then translated for those Greek readers who may not know Aramaic. In this way the original Greek in each case reads Abba, ho patēr (using both Aramaic and Greek side by side in a single phrase).
It would have been much simpler to be content with ho patēr (Father) in Greek. But evidently the word abba carried such meaning and significance in the apostolic community that it was retained, even when they were writing in Greek and knew some readers would not understand the Aramaic.
Kenneth Baily rightly said, “This Aramaic word affirms both respect in addressing a superior and a profound personal relationship between the one who uses it and the one addressed. It is easy to understand why the early Christian church continued to use it even while praying in Greek. It invoked the quality of relationship the believer had with God through Christ. The early Christian use of the Lord’s Prayer substantiates this meaning.”[1]
We should therefore follow Christ’s example to pray Abba, Father, not only because it is a term of familial tenderness and affection in reference to our Heavenly Father, but also because the use of this endearing expression allows us to better demonstrate our deep affection for him and intense desire to hear from him when calling on our Heavenly Father.
Contemplations:
- Lord, I see that you used the common languages of your day – both Aramaic and Greek – when you modeled the Lord’s Prayer for your disciples. Your example causes us to think that across all nations and all people we have a common way to pray “Our Father.”
- As I think about the Lord’s Prayer and the word “abba” – and how Paul uses it in Romans in the context of salvation which is available to both Jews and Gentiles alike – I can see why you too, Lord Jesus, used both a Greek word that signifies father for the Gentiles as well as an Aramaic word that signifies father for the Jews.
- You teach us to pray, “Abba Father,” which causes me to think, who is it that actually cries Abba Father? Is it the Holy Spirit or my own spirit? I think it is both. It is his Spirit working through me, for it is indeed my voice, but it is his breath. We cannot truly cry, “Abba Father” by our own breath and power, but only by the breath and power of his Spirit.
- Jesus prayed, Abba, Father, with the greatest earnest. This was an effectual prayer, even if he had said nothing more. For I know, Lord, that you feel and understand our very breath in prayer (Lam. 3:56).
Further References for Romans 8:15:
Gal. 4:6; Mark 14:36; 2 Tim. 1:7; 1 Chron. 29:10
[1] Kenneth E. Bailey, Jesus through Middle Eastern Eyes: Cultural Studies in the Gospels (Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic, 2008), 98.
