Difference Between Remember and Remembrance in AV New Testament

In the King James Version (KJV) of the New Testament, the terms "remember" and "remembrance" carry distinct nuances, though both relate to the act of recalling past events or persons. While "remember" generally functions as a verb indicating the act of recalling, "remembrance" often refers to the object of memory, a memorial, or the act of recalling itself when it has a specific, often ritualistic or theological purpose ^{[1, 4]}.

The concept of remembering in a biblical context extends beyond mere cognitive recall. In the Old Testament, "to forget" means more than simply not remembering; it implies a failure to obey or act in accordance with what should be remembered ^[8]. This active dimension of memory is crucial for understanding both terms. For instance, the Babylonian Talmud connects divine remembrance with active intervention, such as God remembering Sarah, leading to her conceiving, or God remembering the earth, resulting in rain ^{[2, 3]}. This suggests that divine remembrance is not passive recollection but an active engagement with the remembered subject.

The Greek word most frequently translated as "remember" in the New Testament is mimneskomai (μνημονεύω), and its related noun mneme (μνήμη) or anamnesis (ἀνάμνησις) for "remembrance." The term anamnesis is particularly significant in theological discussions.

"Remember" (Verb)

When the KJV uses "remember," it typically refers to the act of bringing something back to mind. This can be a simple cognitive function, as when Augustine discusses his memory retaining various things, including truths and falsehoods, and his ability to distinguish between them ^[5]. However, in a biblical context, "remembering" often carries moral or theological weight.

For example, Jesus instructs his disciples, "Do this in remembrance of me" (Luke 22:19; 1 Corinthians 11:24-25). Here, "remember" is an active command to recall his sacrifice and person. This is not merely a mental exercise but an act of worship and identification. The act of remembering Jesus in the Eucharist is a central practice in Christian tradition, signifying a continued connection to his saving work.

In other instances, "remember" can imply a call to action or a warning. For example, when Jesus tells the disciples to "remember Lot's wife" (Luke 17:32), it serves as a cautionary tale, urging them to avoid her mistake of looking back longingly at what they had left behind. Similarly, remembering God's commandments implies an obligation to obey them, echoing the Old Testament understanding that forgetting is a failure to obey ^[8].

"Remembrance" (Noun)

The noun "remembrance" (often anamnesis in Greek) frequently denotes something that serves as a memorial or a means by which something is recalled. It can also refer to the act of recalling itself, especially when that act has a specific purpose or consequence.

One prominent use of "remembrance" is in the context of the Old Testament sacrificial system. The author of Hebrews states that the annual sacrifices on the Day of Atonement served as "a remembrance again made of sins every year" (Hebrews 10:3). This "remembrance" (ἀνάμνησις) was not a forgetting of sins, but rather a recalling to mind, through the high priest's confession, that the previous expiatory sacrifices had not fully atoned for sins ^[7]. This highlights a crucial distinction: the Old Covenant sacrifices, while prescribed, continually pointed to the ongoing reality of sin and the need for a more complete atonement. They were a "remembrance" of sin, underscoring the temporary and incomplete nature of their expiation ^[7].

In contrast, the New Testament presents the Lord's Supper as a "remembrance" of Christ's sacrifice. When Jesus says, "Do this in remembrance of me" (Luke 22:19; 1 Corinthians 11:24-25), the Greek term is anamnesis. This remembrance is not a recalling of sin, but a recalling of Christ's perfect, once-for-all sacrifice that does atone for sins. The Jamieson, Fausset & Brown Commentary on Psalms 30:4 defines "remembrance" as "the thing remembered or memorial" ^[1], and on Psalms 145:7, as "what causes to be remembered" ^[4]. In the context of the Eucharist, the bread and wine serve as the memorial, causing Christ's sacrifice to be remembered by the participants.

The concept of "remembrance" can also refer to a memorial or a record that preserves memory. For instance, in the Old Testament, the "memorial" (often translated as "remembrance") of God's holiness is linked to His name, signifying His perfections and His enduring presence ^[1]. This suggests that "remembrance" can be an enduring aspect of God's character or a lasting testament to His actions.

Distinguishing the Terms

While both terms relate to memory, the distinction often lies in their grammatical function and theological implication:

1. Grammatical Function: "Remember" is primarily a verb, indicating the action of recalling. "Remembrance" is a noun, referring to the act of recalling itself, the object being recalled, or a memorial that facilitates recall.

2. Active vs. Passive: "Remember" can be a direct command to actively bring something to mind. "Remembrance" can be the state of being remembered, or a ritual/object designed to ensure something is remembered.

3. Theological Weight: In the New Testament, "remembrance" (especially anamnesis) often carries a specific theological weight, particularly in the context of the Eucharist and the Old Covenant sacrifices. The "remembrance of sins" in Hebrews 10:3 highlights the inadequacy of the old system, while the "remembrance of Christ" in the Lord's Supper emphasizes the efficacy of the new covenant.

The Jewish tradition, as seen in the Ramban's commentary on Deuteronomy 5:12, emphasizes the importance of remembering the Ten Commandments as they were heard directly from God, indicating that this remembrance is foundational to covenantal obedience ^[6]. This aligns with the broader biblical understanding that remembering God's commands is intrinsically linked to observing them.