A debate is ongoing between the upper and lower houses of Congress regarding the meaning of the word forthwith in Section 4, Article XI of the 1987 Philippine Constitution. This current discussion serves as an example that words found in the King James Bible (1611), such as forthwith, may not be as outdated or difficult to understand as often assumed. In fact, its usage in both the 1611 Bible and the 1987 Constitution demonstrates its continued relevance, as even in 2025, Philippine politicians and legal experts are actively interpreting its meaning.
- Does this suggest that the language of the 1987 Philippine Constitution is outdated and archaic?
- Does it indicate that the King James Bible (1611) remains relevant and understandable today?
- Does it reveal about the state of English literacy and comprehension in 2025?
BIBLICAL ENGLISH
The language of the King James Bible is “Biblical English.” That is, it may not always sound the way modern people talk, but it sounds like the way God talks. Not only that, but it can also be understood by the modern reader.
The King James Bible has a “built-in” dictionary. Comparing Scripture with Scripture, the Bible “defines itself”. Using a Bible concordance, a Bible software, a Bible app, an online search engine, or a well-trained, properly prompted A.I. tool, the Bible student can simply search for all verses using the word “forthwith” in the KJB. To find the meaning of a word using the Bible’s built-in dictionary, find the meaning of the word (1) within the verse, (2) before or after the verse, (3) within the chapter, (4) before or after the chapter, (5) and in parallel verses or passages.
USING THE KJB BUILT-IN DICTIONARY
1) Find the meaning of the word within the verse.
Acts 9:18 (KJV), “And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized.”
2) Find the meaning of the word before or after the verse.
Mark 1:28-30 (KJV) And immediately his fame spread abroad throughout all the region round about Galilee. 29 ¶ And forthwith, when they were come out of the synagogue, they entered into the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. 30 But Simon’s wife’s mother lay sick of a fever, and anon they tell him of her.
3) Find the meaning of the word within the chapter.
Mark Chapter 1. Forthwith (Mark 1:29)
• Immediately (Mark 1:12, 28, 42)
• Straightway (Mark 1: 10, 18, 20)
• Anon (Mark 1:30)
Ezra Chapter 6. Forthwith (Ezra 6:8)
• Not hindered (Ezra 6:8, within the verse)
• Done with speed (Ezra 6:12)
• Did speedily (Ezra 6:13)
4) Find the meaning of the word before or after the chapter.
• Ezra Chapter 6. Forthwith (Ezra 6:8)
• Ezra Chapter 7 (next chapter). Done speedily (Ezra 7:21)
5) Find the meaning of the word in parallel verses or passages.
Forthwith (Matthew 13:5), Anon (Matthew 13:20)
• Immediately (Mark 4:5, cf. Mt. 13:5; Mark 4:16, cf. Mt. 13:20)
• As soon as (Luke 8:6, cf. Mt. 13:5)
• For a while (Luke 8:13, cf. Mt. 13:20)
DEFINITION (SUMMARY):
The dictionary meaning of “forthwith” means immediately, without delay, or at once. Its etymology comes from Middle English: “forth” (forward)+ “with” (at the same time), conveying the idea of instant action. In legal contexts, it signifies prompt compliance without delay, within a reasonable time under the circumstances. In the built-in Bible dictionary, forthwith is synonymous with immediately, anon, straightway, by and by, as soon as, presently, for a while, and similar expressions that denote swift or imminent action. Though less common in modern usage, forthwith retains its formal and authoritative tone, especially in legal, historical and Biblical writings.
REFERENCES:
- Mention of “forthwith” in the Philippine 1987 Constitution:
In case the verified complaint or resolution of impeachment is filed by at least one-third of all the Members of the House, the same shall constitute the Articles of Impeachment, and trial by the Senate shall forthwith proceed. 1987 CONSTITUTION OF THE PHILIPPINES. (ARTICLE XI) (4):
- Definitions of “forthwith” from legal dictionaries:
Forthwith means immediately; promptly; without delay; within a reasonable amount of time under the circumstances. [Last reviewed in July of 2021 by the Wex Definitions Team ] https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/forthwith
Forthwith, Definition and Citations: As soon as, by reasonable exertion, confined to the object, a thing may be done. Thus, when a defendant is ordered to plead forthwith, he must plead within twenty-four hours. When a statute enacts that an act Is to be done “forthwith,” itmeans that the act is to be done within a reasonable time. 1 Chit. Archil. Pr. (12th Ed.)10-1; Pickerman v. Northern Trust Co., 170 U. S. 181, 20 Sup. Ct. 311, 44 L. Ed. 423;Faivre v. Manderscheid. 117 Iowa, 724, 90 N. W. 70; Martin v. Pifer, 90 Ind. 248. https://thelawdictionary.org/forthwith/
- Definition of “forthwith” from an online King James Bible dictionary:
FORTHWITH’, adv. forth and with. Immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales; and he received his sight forthwith. Acts. 9. https://av1611.com/kjbp/kjv-dictionary/forthwith.html
- Strong’s Definition
Forthwith comes from the Greek term euthus (2117), which means “straight” or “level” and from the Greek adverb eutheos (2112). They are often translated as “forthwith,” “straightway,” and “immediately.”
- Verse reference search list using the Swordsearcher Bible software (https://www.swordsearcher.com/)
FORTHWITH. Ezr 6:8; Mt 13:5; Mt 26:49; Mr 1:29,43; Mr 5:13; Joh 19:34; Ac 9:18; Ac 12:10; Ac 21:30)
IMMEDIATELY. Mt 4:22; Mt 8:3; Mt 14:31; Mt 20:34; Mt 24:29; Mt 26:74; Mr 1:12,28,31,42; Mr 2:8,12; Mr 4:5,15-17,29; Mr 5:2,30; Mr 6:27,50; Mr 10:52; Mr 14:43; Lu 1:64; Lu 4:39; Lu 5:13,25; Lu 6:49; Lu 8:44,47; Lu 12:36; Lu 13:13; Lu 18:43; Lu 19:11,40; Lu 22:60; Joh 5:9; Joh 6:21; Joh 13:30; Joh 18:27; Joh 21:3; Ac 3:7; Ac 9:18,34; Ac 10:33; Ac 11:11; Ac 12:23; Ac 13:11; Ac 16:10,26; Ac 17:10,14; Ac 21:32; Ga 1:16; Re 4:2
ANON. Mt 13:20; Mr 1:30.
STRAIGHTWAY. 1Sa 9:13; 1Sa 28:20; Pr 7:22; Da 10:17; Mt 3:16; Mt 4:20; Mt 14:22,27; Mt 21:2-3; Mt 25:15; Mt 27:48; Mr 1:10,18,20-21; Mr 2:2; Mr 3:6; Mr 5:29,42; Mr 6:25,45,54; Mr 7:35; Mr 8:10; Mr 9:15,20,24; Mr 11:3; Mr 14:45; Mr 15:1; Lu 5:39; Lu 8:55; Lu 12:54; Lu 14:5; Joh 13:32; Ac 5:10; Ac 9:20; Ac 16:33; Ac 22:29; Ac 23:30; Jas 1:24
BY AND BY. Mt 13:21; Mr 6:25; Lu 17:7; Lu 21:9.
AS SOON AS. Ge 18:33; Ge 27:30; Ge 44:3; Ex 9:29; Ex 32:19; Jos 2:7,11; Jos 3:13; Jos 8:19,29; Jg 8:33; Jg 9:33; 1Sa 9:13; 1Sa 13:10; 1Sa 20:41; 1Sa 29:10; 2Sa 6:18; 2Sa 13:36; 2Sa 15:10; 2Sa 22:45; 1Ki 16:11; 1Ki 18:12; 1Ki 20:36; 2Ki 10:2,25; 2Ki 14:5; 2Ch 31:5; Ps 18:44; Ps 58:3; Isa 66:8; Eze 23:16; Mr 1:42; Mr 5:36; Mr 11:2; Mr 14:45; Lu 1:23,44; Lu 8:6; Lu 15:30; Lu 22:66; Lu 23:7; Joh 11:20,29; Joh 16:21; Ac 10:29; Ac 12:18; Re 10:10; Re 12:4
PRESENTLY. 1Sa 2:16; Pr 12:16; Mt 21:19; Mt 26:53; Php 2:23
FOR A WHILE. Mt 13:21; Lu 8:13; Lu 18:4