Instant; Instantly
The Older Meaning of Instant
In the King James Version, "instant" and "instantly" do not primarily mean "immediately" as in modern English. Instead, they convey urgency, persistence, and earnest pressing. The Latin root "instare" means to stand upon or press upon, and this sense of pressing earnestly is the one found throughout the biblical text. Understanding this older meaning unlocks several important passages.
Instant in Prayer
Paul instructs the Romans to be "instant in prayer" (Romans 12:12, KJV), meaning to be persistent, urgent, and unwavering in their prayer lives. Modern translations render this as "constant in prayer" (ESV) or "faithful in prayer" (NIV). The emphasis is not on speed but on devotion — the kind of prayer that does not give up. Similarly, Paul tells Timothy to "be instant in season, out of season" (2 Timothy 4:2, KJV), meaning to be ready and urgent in proclaiming the word at all times, whether convenient or not.
The Crowd's Instant Demand
In Luke 23:23, the crowd's demand for Jesus's crucifixion is described with the same word: "They were instant with loud voices, requiring that he might be crucified" (KJV). Here "instant" means vehement, pressing, and relentless. The crowd did not merely ask; they pressed urgently and would not relent until Pilate gave in. Modern translations render this as "they were urgent, demanding with loud cries" (ESV).
Anna's Instant Service
The prophetess Anna is described as someone who "did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day" (Luke 2:37). The KJV of Luke 2:37 (in some readings) and the parallel concept describe her service as instant and unceasing. Her decades of devoted worship represent the epitome of the biblical call to persistent, unflagging service.
The Centurion's Instant Appeal
In Luke 7:4, the Jewish elders who brought the centurion's request to Jesus "besought him instantly" (KJV), meaning they urged him earnestly and persistently. Modern translations say they "pleaded earnestly" (NIV) or "begged him earnestly" (ESV). The urgency reflected genuine need and deep respect for both the centurion and Jesus.
Instant Action by God
Isaiah 29:5 and 30:13 use "instantly" to describe the sudden, decisive action of God in judgment. The destruction of enemies will come "in an instant, suddenly" (Isaiah 29:5). Here the word does carry the sense of immediacy, describing how God's judgment can fall without warning. This dual meaning — human persistence and divine immediacy — creates a rich theological picture: believers are to be persistently urgent in their devotion, while God acts with sovereign swiftness when the time is right.
Biblical Context
"Instant" and "instantly" appear in Romans 12:12 and 2 Timothy 4:2 (persistent devotion), Luke 23:23 (urgent demanding), Luke 7:4 (earnest pleading), Acts 26:7 (the twelve tribes "instantly serving God day and night"), and Isaiah 29:5 and 30:13 (sudden divine action).
Theological Significance
The biblical concept of being 'instant' teaches that genuine faith is characterized by urgency and persistence, not passivity. Whether in prayer, proclamation, or worship, the believer is called to press on earnestly. This contrasts with the casualness that can characterize spiritual life when urgency is lost. At the same time, God's 'instant' action reminds believers that divine intervention can come suddenly and decisively when his purposes demand it.
Historical Background
The KJV translators in 1611 used 'instant' and 'instantly' in their original Latin-derived sense of pressing urgently, a meaning well established in early modern English. Shakespeare used the word similarly. As English evolved, 'instant' shifted to mean 'immediate,' which has caused confusion for modern Bible readers. Understanding this semantic shift is important for accurate interpretation of KJV passages containing these terms.