G2783 κῆρυξ (kēryx)

Preacher (2783) (kerux) is the Greek term describing the Imperial Herald (Crier, Messenger, Proclaimer) who made a public proclamations for kings, magistrates, princes, military commanders. A kerux was the town crier or herald. The kerux, who often served as a close confidant of the king, would travel throughout the realm announcing to the people whatever the king wished to make known. It is this note of authoritative declaration that is so appropriately transferred to the proclamation of the gospel. Kerux is used 3 times in the New Testament... And for this I was appointed a preacher and an apostle (I am telling the truth, I am not lying) as a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth. (1 Ti 2:7) and did not spare the ancient world, but preserved Noah, a preacher of righteousness, with seven others, when He brought a flood upon the world of the ungodly (See notes 2 Peter 2:5) This proclamation was given with a sense of formality, gravity and authority which must be heeded. Kerusso the verb form of kerux is used by Paul in 2Ti 4:2 to command his young "recruit" Timothy to publicly declare the gospel... preach (aorist imperative = do it now, and do it effectively!) the Word in season and out. (see note 2 Timothy 4:2 ) In Classic Greek kerux was used of a public servant of supreme power both in peace and in war, who summoned the town gathering (which is the Greek word ekklesia translated in the NT as "church"). Paul was the public crier of the gospel message resulting in the ekklesia being called out of the world and unto God into the body of Christ, the church. That the gospel message was also found in the OT, is implied by Peter's description of Noah as "a preacher (kerux) of righteousness" (2Pe 2:5-note). Kerux word also stresses the boldness and openness of Paul’s evangelistic work because he had a message which he boldly, uncompromisingly proclaimed before both kings and commoners. Paul (and every Christian in a sense) is the herald of Christ. We are not called to bring men our opinions but the message of the gospel of Jesus Christ. William Barclay writes that ... Kerux is the Greek word for herald, and the herald was the man who brought a message direct from the king. This word tells us of certain characteristics of the preaching of Jesus and these are characteristics which should be in all preaching. (i) The herald had in his voice a note of certainty. There was no doubt about his message; he did not come with perhapses and maybes and probably’s; he came with a definite message. Goethe had it: “Tell me of your certainties: I have doubts enough of my own.” Preaching is the proclamation of certainties, and a man cannot make others sure of that about which he himself is in doubt. (ii) The herald had in his voice the note of authority. He was speaking for the king; he was laying down and announcing the king’s law, the king’s command, and the king’s decision. As was said of a great preacher, “he did not cloudily guess; he knew.” Preaching, as it has been put, is the application of prophetic authority to the present situation. (iii) The herald’s message came from a source beyond himself; it came from the king. Preaching speaks from a source beyond the preacher. It is not the expression of one man’s personal opinions; it is the voice of God that Jesus spoke to men. (Barclay, W: The Daily Study Bible Series. The Westminster Press or Logos) We may not all be appointed preachers like Paul but we do have the same gospel message and we have all been in a sense appointed as "ambassadors for Christ" with the good news of "the word of reconciliation." (2Cor 5:19 20). The question we each need to ask is will we be found a "trustworthy steward" when our Lord and Master returns? (1Cor 4:2, Mt 25:21) Edwards adds these thoughts to help illustrate kerux This was a graphic word in the ancient Greek world. It was used in several different ways, each of which exemplified Paul's ministry. It was used of a herald who brought an announcement from the king. Paul (as well as us) was sent forth to herald the good news of salvation from the King of kings. It was used of an emissary when two armies were opposed to each other. The man of God is sent as a go-between to offer conditions of peace to men in opposition to God. It was also used of an auctioneer or merchant shouting out his wares and inviting people to come and buy. So we are to make known to those around us the gift of eternal life which God is inviting all men to come receive freely. Clearly Paul saw the gospel as something to be VERBALLY communicated. While it is absolutely essential that our walk backs our talk, it is equally essential that our talk explains our walk. Otherwise, how will people come to know the real reason for the difference in our lifestyle? (2 Timothy: Call to Completion) "Copy and paste the address below into your web browser in order to go to the original page which will allow you to access live links related to the material on this page - these links include Scriptures (which can be read in context), Scripture pop-ups on mouse over, and a variety of related resources such as Bible dictionary articles, commentaries, sermon notes and theological journal articles related to the topic under discussion." http://www.preceptaustin.org/2_timothy_112-14.htm#Preacher