The Synonymous Words for "Life"
This Is Appendix 170 From The Companion Bible.
There are three principal words translated
"LIFE". Their shades of meaning are to be distinguished as follow
:-
- zoe = life in all its manifestations; from the
life of God down to the lowest vegetable. It is life in activity, and
thus especially is the opposite of death. It involves resurrection life
and eternal life; and hence, as such, is the "gift of God"
(Romans 6:23. 1 John
5:12) For the same
reason its verb zao is frequently used of, and put for,
resurrection life (Matthew 9:18. Mark
16:11. Luke
24:5,
23.
John 11:25,
26.
Acts 1:3; 9:41; 25:19. Romans
6:10; 14:9. 2 Corinthians
13:4. Revelation
1:18; 2:8; 13:14; 20:4, 5.
- bios = life, as lived, manner of life; life as
led, etc.; zoe being life as one experiences it;
bios as others see it. This is used therefore, only of
mankind, who not only live but lead lives. Hence the difference between
ZO-ology and BIO-graphy. Zoe is life in its principle;
bios is life in its manifestations (Luke 8:14).
Bios is also put by Figure of Speech,
Metonymy (of Adjunct), Appendix 6, for
livelihood, or that which supports animal life (Luke 8:43). It occurs
eleven times (Mark 12:44. Luke
8:14,
43;
15:12,
30;
21:4. 1 Timothy
2:2. 2 Timothy
2:4. 1 Peter
4:3. 1 John
2:16; 3:17).
- psuche = the breath of animal life; one of the
manifestations of zoe, common to all living animals. In
one passage (Isaiah 10:18, the Hebrew
nephesh (Appendix 13),
Greek psuche) is applied to vegetable life. It is used of
the living individual as such. For its various renderings and usages,
see Appendix
110.
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