Biblical View on Sexuality and Human Immortality

The biblical understanding of human immortality is closely tied to the resurrection and God's gift of life, rather than an inherent indestructibility of the soul. While the Old Testament implies the doctrine of immortality in passages such as Genesis 5:22, 24 and Exodus 3:6, it is more fully and clearly revealed in later books like Isaiah 14:9 and Psalm 17:15 ^[1]. The New Testament further brings this doctrine "to light" through the gospel, particularly in 2 Timothy 1:10 and 1 Corinthians 15 ^[1].

The concept of immortality in Scripture is often presented in contrast to death, which Christ is said to have abolished or deprived of its power ^[12]. John Gill notes that "if a man keep my saying... he shall never see death," referring to the second, eternal death ^[10]. The New Testament emphasizes the resurrection of the body, stating that the perishable body is "raised imperishable" ^[3]. This perspective differs from philosophical notions that attribute inherent indestructibility to the soul; instead, immortality is understood as a gift from God ^{[5, 7]}. As John Calvin notes, what is received through Christ "remains for ever, and is not frail; but, on the contrary, tends towards immortality" ^[6].

Regarding sexuality, the Bible presents marriage as a foundational institution established by God for humanity. However, the New Testament indicates a different reality concerning sexuality in the resurrected state. Jesus, when questioned about marriage in the resurrection, states that those who are considered worthy to attain that age "neither marry nor are given in marriage, for they cannot even die anymore, because they are equal to angels and are sons of God, being sons of the resurrection" ^[9]. This passage suggests that the procreative aspect of marriage, which is central to human life in this age, will not be necessary in the resurrected life, as death will no longer exist ^[9].

The Old Testament contains laws regarding sexual purity and marriage, such as Leviticus 20:21, which addresses taking a brother's wife, stating, "it is an impurity. He has uncovered his brother’s nakedness. They shall be childless" ^[2]. This highlights the importance of proper sexual conduct and the consequences within the earthly realm. However, the New Testament's teaching on the resurrection shifts the focus from earthly procreation to an existence akin to angels, where marriage, as understood in this life, is not part of the eternal state ^[9].

The human nature of Christ, including his physical body, is affirmed in Scripture, demonstrated by his birth, partaking of flesh and blood, and experiencing human emotions and needs such as hunger, thirst, and weariness ^[4]. This underscores the reality of human embodiment, which will be transformed in the resurrection into an imperishable state ^[3]. The emphasis on the resurrection of the body, rather than merely the immortality of the soul, is a distinctive feature of biblical teaching ^[7]. The state of being "dead while she liveth," as described in 1 Timothy 5:6 for those who live in pleasure, refers to a spiritual death even while physically alive, further emphasizing the spiritual dimension of life and death beyond mere physical existence ^[8]. The patriarchs, such as Jacob, faced death with composure, holding a belief in the immortality of the soul and eternal life ^[11].

Sources

Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Immortality — Perpetuity of existence. The doctrine of immortality is taught in the Old Testament. It is plainly implied in the writings of Moses (Gen. 5:22, 24; 25:8; 37:35; 47:9; 49:29, comp. Heb. 11:13-16; Ex. 3:6, comp. Matt. 22:23). It is more clearly and fully taught in the later books (Isa. 14:9; Ps. 17:15; 49:15; 73:24). It was thus a doctrine obviously well known to the Jews. With the full revelation of the gospel this doctrine was "brought to light" (2 Tim. 1:10; 1 Cor. 15; 2 Cor. 5:1-6; 1 Thess. 4:13-18).”
Leviticus ““‘If a man takes his brother’s wife, it is an impurity. He has uncovered his brother’s nakedness. They shall be childless. -- Leviticus 20:21”
1 Corinthians “So also is the resurrection of the dead. The body is sown perishable; it is raised imperishable. -- 1 Corinthians 15:42”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Human Nature of Christ, The — Was necessary to his mediatorial office -- 1Ti 2:5; Heb 2:17; Ga 4:4,5; 1Co 15:21; Ro 6:15,19. Is proved by his Conception in the Virgin's womb. -- Mt 1:18; Lu 1:31. Birth. -- Mt 1:16,25; 2:2; Lu 2:7,11. Partaking of flesh and blood. -- Joh 1:14; Heb 2:14. Having a human soul. -- Mt 26:38; Lu 23:46; Ac 2:31. Circumcision. -- Lu 2:21. Increase in wisdom and stature. -- Lu 2:52. Weeping. -- Lu 19:41; Joh 11:35. Hungering. -- Mt 4:2; 21:18. Thirsting. -- Joh 4:7; 19:28. Sleeping. -- Mt 8:24; Mr 4:38. Being subject to weariness. -- Joh 4:6. ”
1 Timothy (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Timothy 6:16: Who only hath immortality--in His own essence, not merely at the will of another, as all other immortal beings [JUSTIN MARTYR, QuÃ&brvbrst. ad Orthod., 61]. As He hath immortality, so will He give it to us who believe; to be out of Him is death. It is mere heathen philosophy that attributes to the soul indestructibility in itself, which is to be attributed solely to God's gift. As He hath life in Himself, so hath He given to the Son to have life in Himself (Joh 5:26). The term used in the New Testament for "immortal," which does not occur, is "incor”
CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on Philippians, Colossians, 1-2 Thessalonians, section 38.2: through Christ. And as what we have from Adam becomes old, 439 439 “ Deuient vieil et caduque ;” — “Becomes old and frail.” and tends towards ruin, so what we obtain through Christ remains for ever, and is not frail; but, on the contrary, tends towards immortality. This passage is worthy of notice, inasmuch as a definition of regeneration may be gathered from it. For it contains two parts — the putting off of the old man , and the putting on of the new , and of these Paul here makes mention. It is also to be notice”
1 Corinthians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Corinthians 15:53: this--pointing to his own body and that of those whom he addresses. put on--as a garment (Co2 5:2-3). immortality--Here only, besides Ti1 6:16, the word "immortality" is found. Nowhere is the immortality of the soul, distinct from the body, taught; a notion which many erroneously have derived from heathen philosophers. Scripture does not contemplate the anomalous state brought about by death, as the consummation to be earnestly looked for (Co2 5:4), but the resurrection.”
1 Timothy (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 1 Timothy 5:6: But she that liveth in pleasure,.... Voluptuously, and deliciously; lives a wanton, loose, and licentious life, serving divers lusts and pleasures:, is dead while she liveth; is dead in trespasses and sins, while she lives in them; is dead morally or spiritually, while she lives a natural or corporeal life. There is a likeness between a moral and a corporeal death. In a corporeal death, the soul is separated from the body; and in a moral death, souls are separated from God, and are alienated from the life of God; and are without Christ, who is the author and giver”
Luke (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Luke 20:36: Equal unto the angels - Who neither marry nor die. See the Jewish testimonies to the resurrection of the human body quoted at length on Co1 15:42 (note).”
John (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on John 8:48: Verily, verily, I say unto you,.... This is truth, and may be depended upon, as coming from the "Amen", and faithful witness: if a man keep my saying; or doctrine, receives the Gospel in the love of it, obeys it from his heart, and cordially embraces and firmly believes it; and retains and holds it fast, having a spiritual and comfortable experience of the doctrines of Christ, and yielding a cheerful and ready obedience to his commands and ordinances, in faith and love: he shall never see death; the second death, eternal death, which is an everlasting separation of ”
Genesis (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Genesis 48:21: Behold, I die - With what composure is this most awful word expressed! Surely of Jacob it might be now said, "He turns his sight undaunted on the tomb;" for though it is not said that he was full of days, as were Abraham and Isaac, yet he is perfectly willing to bid adieu to earthly things, and lay his body in the grave. Could any person act as the patriarchs did in their last moments, who had no hopes of eternal life, no belief in the immortality of the soul? Impossible! With such a conviction of the being of God, with such proofs of his tenderness and regard, wi”
2 Timothy (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 2 Timothy 1:10: But . . . now . . . manifest--in contrast to its concealment heretofore in the eternal purpose of God "before the world began" (Ti2 1:9; Col 1:16; Tit 1:2-3). appearing--the visible manifestation in the flesh. abolished death--Greek, "taken away the power from death" [TITTMANN]. The Greek article before "death" implies that Christ abolished death, not only in some particular instance, but in its very essence, being, and idea, as well as in all its aspects and consequences (Joh 11:26; Rom 8:2, Rom 8:38; Co1 15:26, Co1 15:55; Heb 2:14). The carryi”

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