A) GODLY VALUES.

B) THE OLD TESTAMENT TEACHINGS.

C) NEW TESTAMENT TEACHINGS.

D) IN CONCLUSION.

 

 

A) GODLY VALUES

 

 

One thing I can say about “life,” is that without our Lord as a part of it; its meaning is worthless and the Evil-Solution (Evolution) might as well be true.  Existence becomes only for the here and now.  No regard for other life is bred by a lack of Godly values.

 

Of the Hebrew term, “ḥayah” is a verb which means, “to live, to have life,” or the vital principle, “to continue to live,” or “to live prosperously.”  By contrast, the noun “hayyim,” is generally used in the plural form, and is an abstract noun meaning, “life,” i.e., “the possession of the vital principle with its energies and activities.”  Another Hebrew term “Nephesh,” often means, a “living being,” or “creature.”  Sometimes it has the force of the reflexive “self.”  At other times, it refers to “the seat of the soul, the personality, the emotions, the appetites, with its passions,” and even “mental acts.”  Frequently it means, “life,” or, the “seat of life,” and in this way it is used about 171 times in the Old Testament.  It refers to the principle of vitality in both men and animals.  Finally, “ruaḥ” signifies, “wind, breath,” which is the principle, or source of vitality; but is never used to signify life proper.

 

 

B) THE OLD TESTAMENT TEACHINGS

 

 

1. Popular Use of the Term:

 

The term “life” is used in the Old Testament in the popular sense.  It meant life in the body, the existence and activity of the man in all his parts and energies.  It is the person complete, conscious, and active.  There is no idea of the body being a fetter or prison to the soul.  In other words, the body was essential to life, and the writers had no desire to be separated from it.  To them, the physical sphere was a necessity, and a man was living when all his activities were performed in the light of God’s face and favor.  The secret and source of life to them was a relationship with God.  There was nothing good or desirable apart from this relation of fellowship.  To overcome, or to be rid of sin, was necessary to life.  The real center of gravity in life was in the moral and religious part of man’s nature.  This must be in fellowship with God, the source of all life and activity.

 

2. Complexity of the Idea:

 

The conception of life is very complex.  Several meanings are clearly indicated:

 

(1) Very frequently it refers to the vital principle itself, apart from its manifestations (Gen. 2:6-7).  Here it is the breath of life, or the breath from God, which contained and communicated the vital principle to man and made him a “nephesh.” Or, a living being (see also Gen. 1:30; 6:17; 7:22; 45:5; etcetera).

 

(2) It is used to denote the period of one’s actual existence, i.e., “lifetime” (Gen. 23:1; 25:7; 47:9; Exo. 6:16 & 18 & 20; etcetera.).

 

(3) The life is represented as a direct gift from God, and dependent absolutely upon Him for its continuance of (Gen. 1:11-27; 2:7; Num. 16:22).

 

(4) In a few cases, it refers to the conception of children, denoting the time when conception was possible (Gen. 18:10 & 14 margins; 2Ki. 4:16 & 17 margin).

 

(5) In many cases, it refers to the totality of man’s relationships and activities, all of which make up life (Deu. 32:47; 1Sa. 25:29; Job 10:1; etcetera).

 

(6) In a few instances, it is used synonymously with the means of sustaining life (Deu. 24:6; Pro. 27:27).

 

(7) Many times, it is used synonymously with happiness, or well-being (Deu. 30:15 & 19; Ezra 6:10; Psa. 16:11; 30:5).

 

(8) It is always represented as a very precious gift, and offenses against life were to be severely punished (Gen. 9:4 & 5; Lev. 17:14; 24:17).

 

(9) Long life was much desired and sought out by the Israelites, and under certain conditions this was possible (Psa. 91:16).  The longevity of the ante-diluvium patriarchs is a problem by itself.  It was one of the greatest of calamities to be cut off in the midst of life (Isa. 38:10-12; 53:8).  That a good old age was longed for is shown by Exodus 20:12; Psalm 21:4; 34:12; 61:6; etcetera.  This long life was possible to those who are obedient to parents (Exo. 20:12; Deu. 5:16); to those obedient to God (Deu. 4:4; Pro. 3:1 & 2; 10:27); to the wise (Pro. 3:16; Pro. 9:11); to the pure in heart (Psa. 34:12-14; 91:1-10; Ecc. 3:12 & 13); to those who fear God (Pro. 10:27; Isa. 65:18-21; 38:2-5; etcetera.).

 

(10) The possibility of an immortal life is dimly hinted at in the earliest writing, and much more clearly taught in the later.  The Tree of Life in the midst of the garden indicated a possible immortality for man upon earth (Gen. 2:9; 3:22 & 24).

 

(11) The fundamental fact in the possession of life, was a vital relationship with God.  Men first lived because God breathed into them the breath of life (Gen. 2:6-7).  Man’s vital energies are the outflowing of the Spirit, or, the vital energies of God, and all activities are dependent upon the vitalizing power from God.  When God sends forth His Spirit, things are created, and live.  When He withdraws that Spirit, they die (Psa. 104:30).  He is the fountain of life (Psa. 36:9; 63:3).  “All My fountains are in Thee,” Psalm 87:7.  The secret of Job’s success and happiness was that the Almighty was with him (Job 29:2).  This fellowship brought him health, friends, prosperity and all other blessings.

 

 

C) NEW TESTAMENT TEACHINGS

 

 

Of the Greek terms “bios,” it is used at times as the equivalent of the Hebrew, “ḥayyim.”  It refers to life extensively, i.e., “the period of one’s existence, a lifetime.”  It also carries with it, “the means of sustaining life,” such as wealth, health, etcetera.

 

“Psuche,” is also equivalent to, “ḥayyim” at times, but very and more frequently, to “nephesh,” and sometimes to “ruaḥ.”  Thus, it means, “the vital principle, a living being, the immaterial part of man, the seat of the affections, desires and appetites, etcetera.”

 

The term “zoe,” corresponds very closely to “ḥayyiim,” and means, “the vital principle, the state of one who is animate, the fullness of activities and relationship, both in the physical and spiritual realms.”  The content of the word “zoe,” is the chief theme of the New Testament.  And the theme is a theme, because Jesus Christ mediates the life.

 

 

D) IN CONCLUSION

 

 

In conclusion, in the Old Testament, this life was through fellowship with God.  In the New Testament, it is through Jesus Christ the Mediator.  The Old Testament idea is carried to its completion, its highest development of meaning being enriched by the supreme teaching and revelation of Jesus Christ.  In the New Testament, as well as in the Old Testament, the center of gravity in human life is in the moral and religious nature of man.

​