I read this recently in Pulpit Commentary: “There is probably no more dishonored word in the Bible than ‘Amen,’ due to our frequent use of the word. It has come to mean, in the minds of many, a mere signal for leaving off—the beneficent word that announces that the time of weariness and restraint is over, and that they may go back to what is of far more interest to them than worship. They look upon it as meaning no more than the words “the end” on the last page of a book, which tell them that there is no more to come. But when we remember the word’s true meaning, we can at once see that to regard it as a mere mechanical symbol, like a period at the end of a sentence, is terribly to degrade it.”
“Amen” is an ancient Hebrew word transliterated into Greek, English, and many other languages. In fact, according to the Zondervan Pictorial Encyclopedia of the Bible, it is the most universal of all human words, even more universal than the syllable “ma” for mother.
“Amen” means much more than “the prayer is now over.” Saying it during worship means “let it be so,” or “truly” (Vine’s Expository Dictionary). The most basic meaning of the word is “truth.” Jesus often began his teachings “truly, truly I say to you.” In Greek, He said, “amen, amen.” God’s people began to use the word “amen” to express their assent to God’s teachings. In Deut. 27:15-26, the people say “amen” to each of God’s commands in the Law of Moses, as if to say, “these words are good, and we shall follow them.” Whenever God says, “this is the way it is going to be,” the people respond and say, “let it be so.” When Jeremiah heard the words of the Lord, he replied, “Amen, O Lord” (Jer. 11:5), and began working accordingly.
The people of God also used “amen” to register approval for another’s words. In 1 Chronicles 16:36, David and Asaph gave thanks to the Lord and declared His praises, as the ark was being returned from the Philistines and brought into the tent. After their psalm, “all the people said ‘Amen.’” In Neh. 8:6, when Ezra blessed the Lord, “all the people answered ‘Amen, Amen!’ while lifting up their hands.” When Christ declared that He is coming quickly, John replied, “Amen. Come, Lord Jesus” (Rev. 22:20).
The passage in which one can most clearly see the meaning of the word in worship service is 1 Cor. 14:16-17. Paul is discussing the use of spiritual gifts in worship, and demands that no one speak with the gift of tongues unless another can use a gift to interpret it for the rest of the audience. “Otherwise, if you bless in the spirit only, how will the one who fills the place of the ungifted say the ‘Amen’ at your giving of thanks, since he does not know what you are saying?” Obviously, the “amen” is a signal that the message has been understood and is good for edification.
Often times, Bible writers will “call for an amen” by inserting it in their own words. They are stating that their message is true, and invite others to do so as well (Rom. 1:25, 2 Tim. 4:18). They didn’t only say “amen” when the message was pleasant. Sometimes, true words are disturbing (Revelation 1:7) but when they are God’s truth, the only right response is “let it be so, anyway!”
Therefore, in our worship services today, you don’t have to be timid about saying “amen,” if you use it with discretion, purpose, and meaning. At the end of a prayer, when the prayer leader has said things that you hope God will hear and answer, voice your desire that God lets it be so, and say “amen.” In fact, in the middle of a prayer, if the prayer leader says something especially important, you might voice an “amen” then, too! If the preacher says something particularly needful, back it up with your own “amen.” “Let all the people say ‘Amen!’” (Psalm 106:48).
—John Guzzetta