Lexical Summary bios: Life, livelihood, manner of life Original Word: βίος Strong's Exhaustive Concordance life, living. A primary word; life, i.e. (literally) the present state of existence; by implication, the means of livelihood -- good, life, living. HELPS Word-studies 979 bíos – properly, God's gift of physical life, animating all creation "to live and move and have its being" (cf. Ac 17:28); (figuratively) the way a person invests (or spends) the gift of physical life. 979 (bios) is "the period or duration of earthly life . . . in a secondary sense, the means by which life is sustained; and thirdly, the manner in which that life is spent" (R. Trench). [979 (bíos) is the root of the English term "biography," i.e. the record (account) of how we invested (or spent!) our physical lives.] NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina prim. word Definition life, living NASB Translation everyday life (1), goods (1), life (3), live (2), wealth (2). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 979: βίοςβίος, βίου, ὁ (from Homer down); a. life extensively, i. e. the period or course of life (see below and Trench, § xxvii.): Luke 8:14; 1 Timothy 2:2; 2 Timothy 2:4; 1 John 2:16; 1 Peter 4:3 (Rec.). b. (as often in Greek writings from Hesiod, Works, 230, 575; Herodotus, Xenophon) that by which life is sustained, resources, wealth (A. V. living): Mark 12:44; Luke 8:43 (WH omits; Tr marginal reading brackets the clause); Luke 15:12, 30; Luke 21:4; 1 John 3:17 (goods). (For לֶחֶם in Proverbs 31:14 βίος denotes the lived, material side of life—one’s livelihood, possessions, and manner of living—distinguished from ζωή, which speaks of life in its spiritual or eternal dimension. In Scripture βίος is never treated as evil in itself; rather, it is tested by its orientation either toward God or toward the world. First-Century Setting Greco-Roman usage employed βίος for domestic economy, profession, and social status. In Jewish thought of the period, material resources were gifts from God but always secondary to covenant faithfulness. The New Testament writers draw on both backgrounds, consistently subordinating βίος to the kingdom of God. Occurrences in the Synoptic Gospels Mark 12:44 and Luke 21:4 highlight sacrificial giving. The poor widow “put in all she had to live on”, showing that true devotion values God above survival resources. Luke 8:43 records the woman who “had spent all her livelihood on physicians.” The incident underscores that human resources reach their limit, whereas Christ’s power is limitless. Luke 15:12, 30 uses βίος in the prodigal story—first for the father’s division of “the estate,” then for the son’s squandering of it. βίος here exposes the emptiness of self-directed living and the richness of the father’s grace. Luke 8:14 warns of “the cares and riches and pleasures of life,” which choke spiritual fruitfulness. The verse balances legitimate concerns with the danger of allowing them to dominate the heart. Johannine Theology 1 John 2:16 lists “the pride of life” among worldly temptations; 1 John 3:17 connects βίος with tangible goods that must be shared: “If anyone possesses the world’s goods and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God abide in him?”. John contrasts self-exalting use of resources with self-giving love, measuring βίος by the presence or absence of divine love. Pauline and Pastoral Emphases 1 Timothy 2:2 urges prayer for authorities “so that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and dignity.” A rightly ordered βίος serves gospel witness. 2 Timothy 2:4 portrays the soldier who avoids entanglement “in civilian affairs of life” to please his commander. The image calls believers to single-minded service, free from ensnaring preoccupation with material matters. Theological Themes 1. Stewardship: βίος is God-given and therefore to be offered back to Him in generosity (Mark 12:44; 1 John 3:17). Ministry Applications • Pastoral Care: Teach giving that flows from trust in God’s provision, using the widow and prodigal narratives to illustrate both faith and folly. Historical Reception Early Christian writers, notably Clement of Alexandria, contrasted βίος characterised by extravagance with the simple ζωή of gospel living. Monastic movements cited 2 Timothy 2:4 to justify disengagement from worldly affairs, while Reformers re-emphasized engagement coupled with stewardship. Across centuries the church has returned to these ten verses to balance material responsibility with eternal priorities. Key Insight βίος is a gift that becomes a snare or a testimony depending on its orientation. When surrendered to God it supports worship, fellowship, and mission; when ruled by pride or anxiety it suffocates spiritual vitality. Rightly embraced, βίος serves as a practical arena for demonstrating the supremacy of Christ in everyday life. Englishman's Concordance Mark 12:44 N-AMSGRK: ὅλον τὸν βίον αὐτῆς NAS: she owned, all she had to live on. KJV: [even] all her living. INT: all the livelihood of her Luke 8:14 N-GMS Luke 8:43 Noun-AMS Luke 15:12 N-AMS Luke 15:30 N-AMS Luke 21:4 N-AMS 1 Timothy 2:2 N-AMS 2 Timothy 2:4 N-GMS 1 John 2:16 N-GMS 1 John 3:17 N-AMS |
    |