ZOE Greek (Strongs 2222)
2222 zōḗ – life (physical and spiritual). All life (2222 /zōḗ), throughout the
universe, is derived – i.e. it always (only) comes from and is sustained by
God’s self-existent life. The Lord intimately shares His gift of life with people,
creating each in His image which gives all the capacity to know His eternal
life.
Jesus said, I am the Way, the Truth and the Life (Zoe Life).
We have been born again and have a new abundant and eternal life (Zoe
Life) offered by the atonement of Jesus Christ on the cross. This new life is
for the here and now and it starts the moment you surrender your heart to
and acknowledge Jesus Christ as your savior, the risen Son of God. We are
new creations filled with the Holy Spirit of God and we have fellowship with
the Holy Spirit and the rights (privileges) to all of the blessings and promises
in the Bible. We need to meditate on the significance and true dimensions
of this Zoe Life. Therefore it is worthwhile to review what exactly this New
Life, this gift of God is.
The Greek word for “life” is zoe. Zoe is the state of existing and being
animate which is common to all mankind, whether saved or unsaved. For
example, Paul says to the idol worshipping Greeks at Athens, “The God who
made the world and all things in it…He Himself gives to all life (zoe) and
breath and all things…for in Him we live (zao–the verb form) and move and
have our being” (Acts 17:25-28 NASV). Zoe also refers to an individual
person’s life while on earth (Luke 16:25, Philippians 1:20, James 4:14). But
in the Greek New Testament, zoe has a special meaning. It speaks of the
life that is given by God through Christ Jesus to those who believe the
gospel. In this usage, zoe is often modified by the adjective aionios [English:
eon] which means “eternal”, “everlasting”, “of endless duration.”
Scripture reveals that the source or fount of this zoe life is God the Father.
Indeed, Jesus calls Him “the living [zao] Father” (John 6:57), indicating that
zoe life is the very life that God has in Himself. Having life in Himself, the
Father imparted this life to the Son: “For just as the Father has life in Himself,
even so He gave to the Son also to have life in Himself” (John 5:26 NASV).
In turn, the Son manifested this life to the world. Consider John’s words: “In
Him was life, and the life was the light of men, and the light shines in the
darkness…” (John 1:4-5 NASV). Again, John says: “And the life was
manifested, and we have seen and bear witness and proclaim to you the
eternal life, which was with the Father and was manifested to us” (I John 1:2
NASV). Paul confirms John’s testimony when he says that God’s purpose
“now has been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who
abolished death, and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel”
(II Timothy 1:9-10 NASV).
For it is written that Jesus said “I have come that they may have life, and
have it to the full (abundantly).” (John 10:10). Here the Greek work is again
zoe, it is Jesus sharing the life of the Father with mankind. Jesus’ foremost
purpose in coming was to give zoe life to men, that is, to cause men to enter
into and partake of the very life of God “For this is the will of My Father, that
everyone who beholds the Son and believes in Him, may have eternal life;
and I myself will raise him up on the last day” (John 6:40 NASV). Again,
“…Thou gavest Him authority over all mankind, that to all whom Thou hast
given Him, He may give eternal life” (John 17:2 NASV).
Even before the ages of time began, God had promised to give zoe life to
men: “…In the hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised long
ages ago [“before the world began”–KJV], but at the proper time
manifested…” (Titus 1:2-3 NASV).
Life was certainly man’s great need, for mankind was without life because of
sin. All had sinned and through sin, death had come. We all were dead in
our trespasses and sins and in the uncircumcision of our flesh (Ephesians
2:1, Colossians 2:13). This death included alienation from God. We were
“excluded from the life of God” (Ephesians 4:18 NASV), “without God in this
world” (Ephesians 2:12 NASV).
Being dead in sin involved not only alienation from God but also opposition
to God. “We were enemies” (Romans 5:10 NASV), “hostile in mind and
engaged in evil deeds” (Colossians 1:21 NASV). Moreover, we were “foolish
ourselves, disobedient, deceived, enslaved to various lusts and pleasures,
spending our [earthly] life in malice and envy, hateful, hating one another”
(Titus 3:3 NASV). We walked in the futility of our minds, darkened in our
understanding, in ignorance, because of the hardness of our hearts
(Ephesians 4:17-18 NASV)
Clearly, because of man’s sin and rebellion, his portion was a justly deserved
death, not life. Yet God purposed to bring zoe life to the dead by causing
death to fall on the only One who truly lived. At the cross, the penalty for sin
fell on Jesus. Through His bodily death, the claim of God’s judgement on
sinners was satisfied. On the basis of the shed blood of His Son, God could
pardon sinners and impart His very life (zoe) to them.
A person receives zoe life as he responds to the gospel with repentance,
reverence and faith. The gospel, called “the word of life” (Philippians 2:16),
proclaims God’s offer to exchange His zoe life for man’s death. The gospel
brings repentance and reverential fear: “God has granted to the Gentiles also
the repentance that leads to life” (Acts 11:18 NASV). And the gospel brings
faith: “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who
sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgement, but has passed
out of death into life” (John 5:24 NASV).
Through repentance towards God and faith in Jesus Christ, zoe life becomes
man’s portion. “He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who does
not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him” (John
3:36 NASV). The scriptures abound with similar statements connecting faith
and life. For instance, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only
begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have
eternal life.” (John 3:16 NASV) Again, “…But these have been written that
you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing
you may have life in His name.” (John 20:31 NASV; see also John 6:47, I
Timothy 1:16, I John 5:1).
We pass from death to life at the moment we receive the gift of zoe life. “We
know that we have passed out of death into life…” (I John 3:14 NASV). “But
God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us,
even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with
Christ…” (Ephesians 2:4-5 NASV).
The zoe life which we receive is not a package that Jesus gives us. It is not
something separate from Himself. Rather it is IN Jesus. “…But the free gift of
God is eternal life IN Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23 NASV, emphasis
added). “And the witness is this that God has given us eternal life, and this
life is IN His Son. He who has the Son has the life; he who does not have
the Son of God does not have the life” (I John 5:11-12 NASV, emphasis
added).
In fact, the zoe life we receive is Jesus Himself, for Jesus IS life. “I am…the
life; he who believes in Me shall live even if he dies…” (John 14:25NASV). “I
am…the life; no one comes to the Father, but through Me” (John 14:6 NASV).
Thus Jesus becomes and continues to be our life. “For you have died and
your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, is revealed,
then you also will be revealed with Him in glory” (Colossians 3:3-4 NASV). “I
have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live (zao Strongs
2198 from which zoe is derived), but Christ lives in me; and the life I now live
in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me, and delivered
Himself up for me” (Galatians 2:20 NASV).
Being made alive in Christ transforms the course and outcome of our lives
both in the here and now and also in eternity. Here and now, we still dwell in
a mortal body. But His life is manifested in and through our mortal flesh (II
Corinthians 4:10-11). No longer do we live limited and bound by sin and
flesh. This fleshly tabernacle is now indwelt by the power of an indestructible
life (Hebrews 7:16). As we abide (dwell – Greek meno, Strongs 3306) with
Him and His word abides (dwell) in us, we bear fruit: “He who abides (dwells)
in Me, and I in him, he bears much fruit; for apart from Me you can do nothing”
(John 15:4-5 NASV). Our hearts are changed: “We know that we have
passed out of death into life, because we love the brethren: (I John 3:14
NASV). His righteousness and grace cause us “to reign in life through the
One, Jesus Christ” (Romans 5:17 NASV). Thus our lives are
metamorphosed as God works in us “both to will and to work for His good
pleasure (Philippians 2:13 NASV).
Yet, “if we have hoped in Christ in this life only, we are of all men most to be
pitied” (I Corinthians 15:19 NASV). But this is not the case. For there will be
a resurrection and in the resurrection, eternal life will extend to the sphere of
the body. “Do not marvel at this; for an hour is coming, in which all who are
in the tombs shall hear His voice, and shall come forth; those who did the
good deeds to a resurrection of life, those who committed the evil deeds to
a resurrection of judgment [KJV–damnation]” (John 5:28-29 NASV). Jesus
knows His own (John 10:14) and, on the last day, will raise those who have
eternal life (zoe life) (John 6:54). No one will snatch them out of His hand
(John 10:28). On that day, He will “transform the body of our humble state
into conformity with the body of His glory, by the exertion of the power that
He has even to subject all things to Himself” (Philippians 3:21 NASV). And
we will finally “be clothed, in order that what is mortal may be swallowed up
by life (zoe life)” (II Corinthians 5:4 NASV).
So let us live now to the fullest by His eternal life, and be raised by it later.
For we have been given “everything pertaining to life (zoe life) and godliness,
through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and
excellence” (II Peter 1:3 NASV). Let us not take this life for granted, be
ignorant concerning it, trivialize it, forget it, neglect it, or turn it into clichés.
Let us not doubt or disbelieve it, let it slip from our grasp, or surrender it to
the enemy of our souls. Instead, let us consider what we have received and
reckon on the zoe life of God who indwells us. Let us trust His promises,
believe His word, and live by faith. Let us sow to the Spirit and from the Spirit
reap eternal life (Galations 6:8). And as we abide in Him continually, His zoe
life will cause us to grow and mature, and give us confidence in the day of
judgement (I John 2:28, 4:17).
Strong’s #3306: meno (pronounced men’-o)
a primary verb; to stay (in a given place, state, relation or expectancy):–abide, continue, dwell,
endure, be present, remain, stand, tarry (for), X thine own.
Strong’s #2198: zao (pronounced dzah’-o)
a primary verb; to live (literally or figuratively):–life(-time), (a-)live(-ly), quick