Abba is an Aramaic word for father, and the New Testament uses it only three times. The first is Jesus himself, in his most troubled hour, praying, “Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee.” The other two are Paul’s, in Romans and Galatians. There the Spirit of adoption teaches believers to cry the same words, as children rather than as servants living in fear. In each case the word is quickly followed by its meaning, Father, so that readers who did not know Aramaic would understand. Romans 8:14-17 is a good place to see it explained.
3 verses
And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt.
For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.
Matthew George Easton, 1897
This Syriac or Chaldee word is found three times in the New Testament (Mark 14:36; Rom. 8:15; Gal. 4:6), and in each case is followed by its Greek equivalent, which is translated “father.” It is a term expressing warm affection and filial confidence. It has no perfect equivalent in our language. It has passed into European languages as an ecclesiastical term, “abbot.”