College English classes, particularly the writing courses, corrected and enhanced my understanding of the English language. Also, I was more confused than ever when I heard the phrase “as it were.” 

My hometown version of Texanized English did not offer many “as it were” expressions. “As it was” was common and very nearly exclusive. So, hearing “as it were” from the mouths of professors of great learning and reading it on the pages of assigned textbooks, I was completely confused. 

A journalism professor answered my question one day about these three little words by telling me they were “the past participle.” This, as you can imagine, cleared up everything.

If you really want to know how and when to use “as it were” correctly, this website is quite helpful: (https://bit.ly/4ebJ9nc](https://bit.ly/4ebJ9nc). Just don’t ask me to explain it. 

I did know in those days, and remain convinced today, the difference between Was and Is. “Was” is something that was true before now. “Is” is something that is true at this moment. 

The centurion supervising the crew who crucified Jesus and the criminals alongside him plainly stated, “Truly this man was the Son of God.” You noticed, didn’t you, how he said “Was.” Jesus was dead. What was true before when he was alive was concluded in the mind of the centurion. Dead meant dead. Dead was the final state of all humans which Jesus had moments before arrived at after the brutality of everything leading up to and including his crucifixion. 

I wonder if that centurion was part of the guard posted at Jesus’ tomb. If so, he soon discovered that “this man was the Son of God” was completely the wrong grammatical expression. The better and forever correct way to express what was true before, true then, true now, and true forever is, “Truly, this man IS the Son of God!”

“Because he lives,” the old song says, 

I can face tomorrow,
Because He lives, all fear is gone,
Because I know He holds the future,
And life is worth the living,
Just because He lives!
[https://bit.ly/3TgRiiv](https://bit.ly/3TgRiiv)

Next time grammar confuses you or threatens to trip you up, remember the truth that Jesus Is, not Was.

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I will exalt the One who lived, died, and lives again forever. 

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Our Father, thank you for the reality of who Jesus is. Thank you for his death as the perfect sacrifice covering the sins of all who trust in him. Thank you for his resurrection proving the truth of what he accomplished on the cross. Thank you for providing us with eternal hope because of how his gift is applied to all who will receive it. Amen.