What does Logos mean?

John 1:1 (KJV):

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In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

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Wikipedia discussion of logos:

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The Greek word ‘ or logos is a word with various meanings. It is often translated into English as "Word" but can also mean thought, speech, reason, principle, standard, or logic, among other things.

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The Greek word translated "Word" in John 1:1 is logos. Note that contrary to the old adage that "the Greeks had a word for it" (e.g., three or four totally different words for "love," in the same way the Eskimos have several entirely different words or root words for "snow"), logos, like many Hebrew and Latin words, stood for a variety of concepts that, at least to my mind, had only a nebulous connection to one another.Given that that is the case, is there any justification for translating logos as "Word" rather than one of the other meanings alluded to by Wikipedia?Unless others have some other thoughts, I believe this should go into Bible Study.This message has been edited by DeclinetoState, 04-20-2006 05:15 PM

Some Bible translators have transliterated, rather than translated, the word logos. Given that logos could mean so many different things, and that there seems to be little consensus (beyond accepting the "word" translation) as to the correct translation, would it be all that dishonest to simply leave the word untranslated?

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If Logos is supposed to refer to the 2nd person of the Trinity, I don't think "reason" as a definition would fit. He didn't bring Reason down. Man already had reason.

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Try this: If Logos is supposed to refer to the 2nd person of the Trinity, I don't think "word" as a definition would fit. He didn't bring word down. Man already had word.

The word "angel" comes from a Greek word meaning "news" or "message," hence "messenger." Messages usually include words. So, some would argue, calling Jesus "the Word" meant he was a messenger, or angel.If we assert that the Logos meant something other than simply "the Word," then (it seems) we can move away from the identification of Jesus as "only an angel."