The Greek word chrēmatismós, represented by G5538, signifies a divine response or revelation. Its usage is highly specific, appearing only 1 time in 1 unique verse in the entire Bible, where it is translated as the answer of God.
The single biblical use of G5538 occurs in Romans 11:4. The passage poses a question: "But what saith the answer of God unto him?" This highlights that the communication is not a human insight but a direct and authoritative response from God. The content of this divine answer is a declaration of God's sovereignty, stating, "I have reserved to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal." The term, therefore, points to a specific, clear revelation given by God to address a situation of widespread apostasy.
Several related words from its sole context in Romans 11:4 illuminate its meaning:
- G3004 légō (to "lay" forth... relate (in words)): This word is used to ask what the divine answer saith, emphasizing the nature of G5538 as a spoken or declared revelation from God Romans 11:4.
- G2641 kataleípō (to leave down, i.e. behind... have remaining): This verb is central to the content of the divine answer, where God states, "I have reserved to myself" a faithful remnant Romans 11:4.
- G2578 kámptō (to bend): This describes the act of worship the remnant refused to perform. The "answer of God" defines the faithful as those who have not bowed the knee to an idol Romans 11:4.
- G896 Báal (Baal, a Phœnician deity (used as a symbol of idolatry)): The divine response is given in the context of idolatry, with the faithful being those who have rejected the worship of Baal Romans 11:4.
The theological weight of G5538 is centered on the nature of God's communication and His sovereign work.
- Authoritative Revelation: The term establishes that God speaks directly and definitively. The "answer of God" is not a feeling or interpretation but a clear, factual statement from the divine source Romans 11:4.
- Sovereign Preservation: The content of the revelation underscores God's sovereignty. It is God who declares, "I have reserved to myself," showing that the preservation of the faithful remnant is His own work, not a result of human effort Romans 11:4.
- God's Faithfulness: In a moment of apparent total apostasy, the "answer of God" reveals that God has faithfully preserved a people for Himself, contrasting His active power with the lifeless idol Baal.
In summary, though used only once, G5538 is a term of profound significance. It encapsulates the concept of a direct, authoritative answer of God that cuts through human perception to reveal divine truth. Its appearance in Romans 11:4 serves as a powerful reminder of God's active communication and His sovereign power to preserve His people according to His own purpose.
TRV