16/05/2026
The Difference Between Explanation And Revelation
By Bishop Emi Domingo
The difference between explanation and revelation is this: explanation comes from human understanding, but revelation comes from God Himself. Explanation can inform the mind, but only revelation can transform the heart.
In Greek thought, the idea of explanation relates to words like hermēneia or hermēneuō—which means “to interpret,” “to explain,” or “to translate.” Ito ay proseso ng pagpapaliwanag gamit ang human reasoning, study, language, at analysis. At kayang gawin ito ng natural mind.
Pero ang revelation sa Greek is apokalypsis—which means “unveiling,” “uncovering,” or “removing the veil.” Hindi ito simpleng explanation lamang; ito ay supernatural opening of the eyes by God Himself. Ang explanation ay galing sa isip ng tao; ang revelation ay pagtanggal ng belo ng Diyos upang makita mo si Cristo at ang Kanyang finished work.
Kaya napakalaki ng difference. Ang explanation puwedeng marinig lang ng tenga, pero ang revelation tumatama sa puso at bumabago ng buhay.
Sabi ni Apostle Paul: “For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through the revelation (apokalypsis) of Jesus Christ” (Galatians 1:12). Hindi niya natutunan ang grace merely through study, debate, or intellectual explanation. The gospel of grace was unveiled to him by Christ Himself.
Ito ang dahilan kung bakit may mga tao na kahit paulit-ulit makarinig ng preaching about grace, forgiveness, righteousness, at finished work of Christ, hindi pa rin nila makita ang beauty nito. Why? Because grace is not merely explained—it must be revealed by the Holy Spirit.
1 Corinthians 2:10 says, “these things God has revealed to us through His Spirit.” Then verse 14 says, “The natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God… because they are spiritually discerned.” Meaning, hindi sapat ang mataas na IQ, maraming books, Greek knowledge, o nagmamahusay na explanation kung walang revelation from God.
Ganito rin sa pagka-Diyos ni Jesu-Cristo. Maraming kayang magbigay ng theological explanation tungkol kay Jesus, pero sinabi ni Jesus kay Peter: “Flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 16:17). Hindi naging tama si Peter dahil magaling siyang mag-analyze; naging tama siya dahil nireveal ng Ama sa kanya kung sino talaga si Cristo.
At ito pa ang isang napakahalagang bagay: kapag ang isang tao ay na-convince lamang dahil sa galing ng explanation, kadalasan ang kapurihan ay napupunta sa nagpaliwanag. Parang ang dating ay, “Ang galing magsalita,” “Ang husay magturo,” o “Ang talino magpaliwanag.” Pero kapag revelation ang nangyari, all the glory goes to God alone—dahil malinaw na hindi ito gawa ng talino ng tao kundi gawa ng Holy Spirit na nagtanggal ng belo sa puso ng tao.
Kaya sinabi ni Paul: “My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God’s power” (1 Corinthians 2:4–5). Ayaw ni Paul na ang faith ng tao ay naka-base sa husay ng explanation; gusto niya na ito ay naka-angkla sa revelation and power of God.
You can explain mysteries, but you cannot manufacture revelation. You may explain grace beautifully, but unless the Holy Spirit opens the eyes of the heart, people may still reject or misunderstand it. That is why the message of the cross is “foolishness” to some (1 Corinthians 1:18), while to those whose eyes are opened, it becomes “the power of God.”
Explanation may impress the mind, but revelation transforms the heart—and gives all glory to God alone.