What does "quicken" mean in the Bible?

Meaning and Linguistic Background

The term “quicken” in older English translations of Scripture is most famously associated with the King James Version (KJV). It conveys the idea of giving life, making alive, or revitalizing. Modern translations more commonly render this concept as “make alive” or “give life.” In Hebrew, the primary word often translated as “quicken” in older English is חָיָה (chayah), meaning “to live” or “to revitalize.” In Greek, the term is ζῳοποιέω (zōopoieō), signifying “to make alive” or “to impart life.” These terms function not just in a physical sense (as a reference to bodily life) but also in a spiritual sense (imparting new life in relationship with God).

Occurrences in Scripture

In many modern versions, verses that once used the word “quicken” now employ phrases such as “give life,” “revive,” or “make alive.” For instance:

• Romans 8:11 states: “And if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit, who lives in you.” Though not using the Old English “quicken,” the concept is the same—God imparts life to believers, both spiritually and ultimately in bodily resurrection.

• Ephesians 2:4–5 teaches: “But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in our trespasses. It is by grace you have been saved!” This encapsulates the “quicken” idea of moving from spiritual death to spiritual life by divine power and grace.

• Psalm 119 (repeatedly in older translations) uses “quicken” for the idea of reviving or restoring: “Revive me according to Your word” (Psalm 119:25). The original Hebrew captures the concept of renewal and life-giving power from God’s word.

Spiritual and Theological Dimensions

“Quicken” consistently addresses a divine action that transforms the individual from one state to another. In Scripture, this transformation is twofold:

1. Spiritual Regeneration: This is the inward renewal brought about by the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer. Jesus Himself alludes to being endowed with life by the Spirit when He says, “The Spirit gives life; the flesh profits nothing...” (John 6:63). Without this divine “quickening,” hearts remain separated from God.

2. Physical Resurrection: “Quicken” also refers to an ultimate hope of bodily resurrection. As seen in Romans 8:11, believers trust that God, through His Spirit, will “give life” to mortal bodies, echoing the reality of Christ’s own bodily resurrection. Since an empty tomb was reported and historically attested (e.g., by early Christian witnesses recorded in 1 Corinthians 15), believers hold that the same power animating Christ’s resurrected body will also invigorate their mortal frames in the future.

Historical and Manuscript Evidence

The writings containing scriptural references to “quicken” (or “make alive”) stand on a firm historical basis. Multiple manuscript discoveries bolster confidence in the authority and integrity of these biblical texts:

• The Dead Sea Scrolls (discovered in 1947) include Hebrew manuscripts of Old Testament books, demonstrating remarkable consistency with later copies and validating passages like the Psalms where “quicken” or “revive” is a frequent theme.

• Early New Testament manuscripts, such as the John Rylands Fragment (P52, dated to the early second century AD), preserve the authenticity of texts proclaiming that believers are “made alive” with Christ. These ancient papyrus manuscripts support the accurate transmission of passages like Ephesians 2:5.

Archaeological work in Jerusalem and surrounding regions likewise provides evidence of the cultural and geographical realities referenced in the biblical narratives, adding historical credibility to the accounts that teach the “making alive” of believers through God’s power.

Connection to Salvation and Renewed Life

“Quicken” underscores that humans cannot grant themselves true spiritual life. As a key component of salvation, this life-giving process originates entirely from God’s mercy, grace, and power. Passages like Ephesians 2:8–9 clarify that being “made alive” is a gift of God and not something that can be earned by works.

From a behavioral standpoint, such “quickening” does more than address intellectual assent; it involves a personal, life-altering transformation. And from a philosophical vantage, it implies that true meaning and purpose derive from the one who gives life—leading believers to glorify the Giver.

Practical Implications

1. Assurance of Hope: For those who trust the biblical record, “quicken” affirms that no situation—spiritual or physical—is beyond God’s power to revive. It offers hope that ultimate renewal and redemption are possible because of God’s action.

2. Motivation for Holiness: Recognizing that God has made believers alive with Christ emboldens them to live in a manner that reflects God’s holiness. Being “quickened” spiritually means being freed from sin’s binding power.

3. Confidence in Resurrection: The same power that “quickens” believers now offers the certainty of bodily resurrection. This hope anchors the Christian belief that death does not have the final say.

Conclusion

In Scripture, “quicken” entails a divine infusion of life—both spiritual and physical—rooted in the very nature and work of God. It is woven throughout the Old and New Testaments, demonstrating that the One who created life also restores, revives, and resurrects. Though translations and languages adapt over time, the enduring message is that God alone has the power to transform hearts, bring spiritually dead people to life, and ultimately raise the body in the likeness of Christ’s own resurrection.