The Two Lives: Biological Existence (Bios) vs. Divine Vitality (Zōē) 🧬
The New Testament uses two main Greek concepts for “life,” and their distinction clarifies that the eternal reward is not merely an extended existence, but participation in God’s own perfect, divine nature.
1. The Life of Biological Existence: Bios (βιˊoς)
- Meaning: This is the Greek word for biological life, livelihood, or physical existence. It is the root of the English words “biology” and “biography.”
- Theological Focus: Bios describes the natural, physical realm of human existence—the life we live on Earth. Christ warns against seeking the things of this life: “Take heed and beware of all covetousness, for one’s life (bios) does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses” (Luke 12:15).
- The Shocking Tie: This form of life is finite, subject to decay, and inherently limited by the fallen nature of the world. Even when it’s good, it is temporary.
Bios is the natural, mortal, biological existence.
2. The Life of Divine Vitality: Zōē (ζωηˊ)
- Meaning: This word refers to life in its fullest, ultimate sense—spiritual life, absolute energy, and divine vitality. It emphasizes the quality and source of the life.
- Theological Focus: Zōē is the word used for the eternal life offered by Christ. John states, “I have come that they may have life (zōē), and have it more abundantly” (John 10:10). This life is uncreated, self-sustaining, and characteristic of God Himself.
- The Final Reality: The eternal state is defined by the complete transition from the temporal bios (biological existence) to the eternal zōē (divine vitality). The believer is infused with the very quality of God’s life, which is imperishable and unlimited.
The Eschatological Conclusion
The final reward is a magnificent and fundamental change of being:
- The finite Bios (biological life) is swallowed up by the infinite Zōē (divine vitality).
- The goal of the Gospel is not merely to extend bios indefinitely, but to initiate the believer into perfect zōē.
The ultimate shocking truth is that the eternal state is not just a place where we live a long time; it is a state of absolute, unceasing, divine vitality—a total qualitative change in the very nature of our existence.
The Return Question
If the eternal reward is participation in God’s divine vitality (Zōē), what specific area of your Bios (mortal life: time, health, resources) are you treating as separate or detached from Christ’s eternal purpose, failing to live out the quality of Zōē in the confines of your Bios?