βίος (bios)
bios
life
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 11 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun bios refers to life in its extensive sense, covering both the duration of one’s existence and the material means required to sustain it. Unlike the more intensive word zōē, which points to the vital principle itself, bios describes the practical course of living and the resources that support it. This distinction is clear in passages like Mark 12:44, where the widow’s offering is described as her entire bios, highlighting her livelihood rather than just her spiritual state.
In the New Testament, this word often appears in contexts dealing with earthly existence or material provision. Luke uses it to describe how the cares of life choke the seed (Luke 8:14), while 1 John contrasts loving with one’s lips versus acting on the truth when seeing a brother in need (1 John 3:17). The term carries a tangible weight, reminding readers that faith intersects with daily survival and financial reality.
Translators typically render bios as "life" or "livelihood," depending on whether the context emphasizes time or resources. Its usage in Luke and 1 John underscores the tension between spiritual priorities and physical necessities, showing how early Christians navigated their faith within the constraints of everyday economic life.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word bios points to the practical reality of our daily existence—the time we have and the resources needed to sustain it. It reminds us that faith is lived out in the ordinary moments of earning, spending, and caring for ourselves and others. When Scripture mentions bios, it often highlights how our material needs intersect with our spiritual walk.
Consider the widow in Mark 12:44, who gave all she had to live on. Her offering was not just a transaction but a profound act of trust. God sees the weight of what we give and the sincerity behind it. We are invited to bring our everyday concerns, from bills to health, into His presence rather than hiding them.
This perspective helps us balance spiritual priorities with physical necessities. It encourages generosity even when resources feel tight, trusting that God values our faithful stewardship of the life He has given us. May you find peace in knowing that your daily efforts are seen and valued by Him.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 11 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- of life2×
- living2×
- livelihood2×
- life2×
- property.1×
- of life,1×
- goods1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- βίον6×
- βίου3×
- βίου,1×
- βίον.1×
Key Verses
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Mark 12:44
for they all gave out of their abundance, but she, out of her poverty, gave all that she had to live on.”
This verse highlights bios as the widow's entire livelihood, showing that God values sacrificial giving from one's basic needs.
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Luke 8:14
What fell among the thorns, these are those who have heard, and as they go on their way they are choked with cares, riches, and pleasures of life; and they bring no fruit to maturity.
Here bios refers to the 'pleasures of life' that compete with spiritual growth, illustrating how earthly comforts can distract from faith.
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I John 3:17
But whoever has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, then closes his heart of compassion against him, how does God’s love remain in him?
The term 'world's goods' translates bios in this context, connecting material provision directly to the practical expression of God's love.