A term used metaphorically to refer both to the Christian faith (especially in Acts) and to Jesus Christ himself (especially in John's Gospel). Faith in Jesus Christ is the only way of salvation for sinful human beings. The term is often used with other expressions in Scripture to describe aspects of the life of the believer.
The Way refers to the Christian faith
Acts 9:2 See also Acts 19:9, Acts 19:23, Acts 22:4, Acts 24:14, Acts 24:22
and requested letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any men or women belonging to the Way, he could bring them as prisoners to Jerusalem.
The way refers to Jesus Christ himself
John 14:6 See also John 10:9, John 14:4–6; 1 Timothy 2:5; Hebrews 10:19–20
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
Faith in Jesus Christ is the only way of salvation for sinful human beings
Acts 4:12 See also Mark 16:16; John 1:12–13, John 3:15–16; Acts 16:31; Romans 10:9; Ephesians 2:8; 1 Peter 1:5
Salvation exists in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.”
Way used with other terms to describe the life of faith
The way of righteousness
Matthew 21:32 See also Matthew 3:1–12; 2 Peter 2:21
For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him.
The way of God
Matthew 22:16 parallels Mark 12:14, Luke 20:21 See also Psalm 18:30; Isaiah 55:9; Acts 18:25–26; Hebrews 3:10; Psalm 95:10
They sent their disciples to Him along with the Herodians. “Teacher,” they said, “we know that You are honest and that You teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. You seek favor from no one, because You pay no attention to external appearance.
The way of the Lord
Acts 18:24–25 See also Genesis 18:19; Psalm 27:11, Psalm 143:8; Proverbs 10:29
Meanwhile a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was an eloquent man, well versed in the Scriptures. He had been instructed in the way of the Lord and was fervent in spirit. He spoke and taught accurately about Jesus, though he knew only the baptism of John.
The way of salvation
Acts 16:17 See also Matthew 7:14
This girl followed Paul and the rest of us, shouting, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who are proclaiming to you the way of salvation!”
The way of peace
Luke 1:79 See also Isaiah 26:3, Isaiah 26:12, Isaiah 57:20–21; Romans 3:17; Isaiah 59:8
to shine on those who live in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace.”
The way of holiness
Isaiah 35:8 See also Hebrews 9:8
And there will be a highway called the Way of Holiness. The unclean will not travel it — only those who walk in the Way — and fools will not stray onto it.
Related themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes © 1999 Martin Manser, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Bible Aquifer. Formatted for this site, with Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.