5036. tachus

Lexical Summary

tachus: Quick, swift, speedy

Original Word: ταχύς
Part of Speech: Adjective
Transliteration: tachus
Pronunciation: tah-KHOOS
Phonetic Spelling: (takh-oos')
KJV: swift
NASB: soon, faster, quick, quickly, sooner
Word Origin: [of uncertain affinity]

1. swift, fleet
2. (figuratively) prompt or ready

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

swift.

Of uncertain affinity; fleet, i.e. (figuratively) prompt or ready -- swift.

HELPS Word-studies

Cognate: 5036 taxýs (an adjective) – swift (speedy), without unnecessary delay. See 5035 (taxy).

[This root (tax-) emphasizes the idea "promptly" (without unjustified time-lapse). Immediacy is conveyed by 2112 /euthéōs ("straightway, right away").

See also Strong's numbers: 5030 (taxéōs), 5031 (taxinós), 5032 (táxion), 5033 (táxista), 5034 (táxos), 5035 (taxý).]

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
a prim. word
Definition
quick, swift
NASB Translation
faster (1), quick (1), quickly (1), soon (2), sooner (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 5036: ταχύς

ταχύς, ταχεῖα, ταχύ, from Homer down, quick, fleet, speedy: opposed to βραδύς (as in Xenophon, mem. 4, 2, 25), εἰς τό ἀκοῦσαι (A. V. swift to hear), James 1:19.

Topical Lexicon

Overview

Strong’s Greek 5036 conveys the idea of speed, swiftness, or promptness. While its distinct form appears only once in the Greek New Testament—in James 1:19—the concept of being “quick” or “swift” resonates throughout the biblical canon, informing principles of obedience, wisdom, and readiness for divine action.

Biblical Usage

James 1:19 exhorts believers: “Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger”. Here the adjective highlights a spiritual reflex: an eagerness to receive truth. In the flow of the epistle, this readiness precedes the call to “be doers of the word” (James 1:22). Thus swiftness in hearing is foundational to genuine discipleship.

Intertextual Connections

1. Wisdom Literature – Proverbs repeatedly commends restrained speech and attentive ears (Proverbs 10:19; 13:3; 17:27-28). James, echoing these maxims, repurposes them for a messianic community.
2. Old Testament Narrative – Instances of “haste” tied to obedience (Genesis 22:3; Exodus 12:11) underscore prompt responsiveness to God. Though rendered by different Hebrew terms, they embody the same ethical impulse James distills.
3. Rapid Divine Action – Texts such as Isaiah 55:11 and Psalm 147:15 portray the Word of the Lord “running swiftly,” framing human quickness to listen as an echo of God’s own energetic outreach.

Theological Significance

1. Listening as Worship – Prompt attentiveness honors the Giver of the Word, recognizing revelation as authoritative and life-giving (Deuteronomy 32:1-2).
2. Humility and Self-Domination – Swiftness to hear, balanced by slowness to speak and anger, demonstrates mastery over impulsive desires, a hallmark of Spirit-enabled holiness (Galatians 5:22-23).
3. Community Health – Congregational unity thrives when members prioritize listening over reaction, fulfilling the law of love (Romans 13:10).

Historical Reception

• Patristic writers (e.g., Chrysostom, Augustine) applied James 1:19 against rash theological debate and personal quarrels, urging catechumens to cultivate silence before doctrinal depth.
• Reformers such as Martin Luther cited the verse to curb polemical excesses and defend Scripture as the final word needing attentive hearing.
• Puritan pastors wove the precept into practical divinity, warning that careless speech “grieves the Spirit” and ruptures fellowship.

Applications for Contemporary Ministry

1. Pulpit and Teaching – Encourage active listening by providing clear exposition and inviting immediate personal response before discussion.
2. Counseling – Model reflective hearing; allow counselees to speak fully before guidance is offered.
3. Social Media Engagement – Apply James 1:19 to digital discourse, urging believers to read thoroughly, reply sparingly, and resist outrage.
4. Evangelism – Cultivate sensitivity to hear seekers’ questions, demonstrating respect that opens doors for the gospel.
5. Leadership Development – Train elders and ministry leaders to be “quick listeners,” fostering an environment where concerns are heard and addressed biblically.

Relation to Other Greek Forms

Though 5036 occurs once, cognate forms convey allied ideas: believers are urged to “make every effort” (spoudazō) and Christ promises to “come quickly” (tachy in Revelation 22:20). Together they paint a portrait of holy urgency: God acts swiftly for salvation, and His people respond with prompt obedience and attentive hearts.

Summary

Strong’s 5036 crystallizes a virtue vital to Christian maturity: eagerness to hear God and others. It guards against impulsive speech, diffuses anger, and nurtures communities marked by wisdom and love. When the church embodies this swift attentiveness, it mirrors the readiness of Christ Himself, who both listens to His Father (John 12:50) and acts decisively for our redemption.

Forms and Transliterations

ταχεία ταχείς ταχύ ταχύν ταχυς ταχύς ταχὺς tachus tachys tachỳs

Englishman's Concordance

James 1:19 Adj-NMS
GRK: πᾶς ἄνθρωπος ταχὺς εἰς τὸ
NAS: But everyone must be quick to hear,
KJV: man be swift to hear,
INT: every man swift for

Strong's Greek 5036
1 Occurrence

ταχὺς — 1 Occ.