# Amen ## Catechism of the Catholic Church A Hebrew word meaning "truly; it is so; let it be done," signifying agreement with what has been said. The prayers of the New Testament and of the Church's liturgy, and the Creeds, conclude with "amen." Jesus used the word to introduce solemn assertions, to emphasize their trustworthiness and authority ([[1.2.3.12.p2s|ccc-1061]], [[2.2.1.3.p40|ccc-1345]], [[2.2.1.3.p42|ccc-1396]], [[4.2.0.4.pad|ccc-2856]], [[4.2.0.4.pae|ccc-2865]]). ## Ignatius Catholic Study Bible *Amen* ([[2-corinthians-01#^2-corinthians-01-20|2 Cor 1:20]]) - *Amen* (Gk.): means "so be it", "so it is", or "truly". Behind it stands a Hebrew term that conveys a sense of firmness or reliability. The term "Amen" appears frequently in the OT, where it is pronounced to confirm a divine oath or curse ([[numbers-05#^numbers-05-22|Num 5:22]]; [[deuteronomy-27#^deuteronomy-27-15|Deut 27:15]]), attest to the greatness of God ([[1-chronicles-16#^1-chronicles-16-36|1 Chron 16:36]]; [[nehemiah-08#^nehemiah-08-6|Neh 8:6]]), or express a prayerful wish ([[tobit-08#^tobit-08-8|Tob 8:8]]). A double "Amen" concludes the first, second, and third divisions of the Psalter ([[psalm-41#^psalm-41-13|Ps 41:13]]; [[psalm-72#^psalm-72-19|72:19]]; [[psalm-89#^psalm-89-52|89:52]]). In the NT, "Amen" is a liturgical response arising from the congregation in both the earthly ([[1-corinthians-14#^1-corinthians-14-16|1 Cor 14:16]]) and heavenly liturgies ([[revelation-05#^revelation-05-14|Rev 5:14]]; [[revelation-07#^revelation-07-12|7:12]]).It expresses a firm belief in God's revealed truth and often comes at the end of doxologies that extol his glory ([[romans-11#^romans-11-36|Rom 11:36]]; [[galatians-01#^galatians-01-5|Gal 1:5]]; [[ephesians-03#^ephesians-03-21|Eph 3:21]]). To say "Amen" is to desire God's promises to be fulfilled and to trust that they will be ([[2-corinthians-01#^2-corinthians-01-20|2 Cor 1:20]]). Christ is called the "Amen" because he embodies the reliability and covenant faithfulness of God ([[revelation-03#^revelation-03-14|Rev 3:14]]). Jesus often uses this expression as an abbreviated oath formula to insist that his words are incontrovertible declarations of truth ([[matthew-05#^matthew-05-18|Mt 5:18]]; [[matthew-18#^matthew-18-3|18:3]]; [[john-01#^john-01-51|Jn 1:51]]) ([[1.2.3.12.p2s|ccc-1061]]-65). ### Source [[08-second-corinthians-commentary#^5ufwvp|Amen — word study]]