783. 教会是主的, 由于善与真之间的属灵婚姻, 所以主被叫做新郎和丈夫, 教会被叫做新娘和妻子。 基督徒通过圣言皆熟知这一点, 尤其通过以下经文, 即约翰论及主的话:

娶新妇的就是新郎, 新郎的朋友站着听见新郎的声音就甚喜乐, 故此我这喜乐满足了。 (约翰福音3:29)

耶稣说, 只要新郎与宾客在一起, 宾客就不会哀痛。 (马太福音9:15; 马可福音2:19-20; 路加福音5:34-35)

我看见圣城, 新耶路撒冷, 由神那里从天而降, 预备好了, 就如新妇妆饰整齐, 等候丈夫。 (启示录21:2)

天使对约翰说: 你来, 我要把新娘, 就是羔羊的妻, 指示你, 他从山上把圣城耶路撒冷指示他。 (启示录21:9-10)

因为羔羊婚娶的时候到了, 新妇也自己预备好了。 凡被请赴羔羊之婚筵的有福了。 (启示录19:7, 9)

我是大卫的根, 又是他的后裔。 我是明亮的晨星。 圣灵和新妇都说: “来! ”口渴的人也当来; 愿意的, 都可以白白取生命的水喝。 (启示录22:16-17)

As with many common verbs, the meaning of “to say” in the Bible is highly dependent on context. Who is speaking? Who is hearing? What is it about? Is it a command, a message, an apology, instruction? All these things enter into the meaning of “say.” In general, though, “saying” has to do with sharing truth at various levels -- from the most exalted power people can have to perceive the Lord's desires directly to the most basic of orders issued to people at their lowest.