Eternal life

Easton, 1897

This expression occurs in the Old Testament only in Daniel 12:2 (R.V., "everlasting life").

It occurs frequently in the New Testament (Matthew 7:14; Matthew 18:8, Matthew 18:9; Luke 10:28; comp. Luke 18:18). It comprises the whole future of the redeemed (Luke 16:9), and is opposed to "eternal punishment" (Matthew 19:29; Matthew 25:46). It is the final reward and glory into which the children of God enter (1 Timothy 6:12, 1 Timothy 6:19; Romans 6:22; Galatians 6:8; 1 Timothy 1:16; Romans 5:21); their Sabbath of rest (Hebrews 4:9; comp. Hebrews 12:22).

The newness of life which the believer derives from Christ (Romans 6:4) is the very essence of salvation, and hence the life of glory or the eternal life must also be theirs (Romans 6:8; 2 Timothy 2:11, 2 Timothy 2:12; Romans 5:17, Romans 5:21; Romans 8:30; Ephesians 2:5, Ephesians 2:6). It is the "gift of God in Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 6:23). The life the faithful have here on earth (John 3:36; John 5:24; John 6:47, John 6:53-58) is inseparably connected with the eternal life beyond, the endless life of the future, the happy future of the saints in heaven (Matthew 19:16, Matthew 19:29; Matthew 25:46).