Eternal Life through Faith in Jesus Christ
Eternal life, a concept frequently appearing in the New Testament, signifies the perpetual existence and ultimate reward for the redeemed [4]. This concept is contrasted with "eternal punishment" or "eternal death," which describes the unending suffering of the lost [4, 5]. The same Greek words (aion, aionios, aidios) used to describe the eternal existence of God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit are also employed to denote the eternal duration of both the righteous's life and the lost's suffering [5].
The biblical understanding of eternal life is rooted in a relationship with God and Jesus Christ. John 17:3 states, "This is eternal life, that they should know you, the only true God, and him whom you sent, Jesus Christ" [1]. This knowledge is not merely intellectual but implies a deep, personal connection. Jesus himself declared, "Most certainly, I tell you, he who believes in me has eternal life" (John 6:47) [2]. This highlights faith in Christ as the pathway to receiving eternal life [3].
The doctrine of immortality, or perpetuity of existence, is taught in the Old Testament, implied in the writings of Moses, and more clearly articulated in later books such as Isaiah and Psalms [6]. With the full revelation of the Gospel, this doctrine was "brought to light" [6]. Eternal life is given by God and through Christ, and it is found in Christ [3]. It is promised to all who believe in God and in Christ [3].
The concept of eternal life is intrinsically linked to faith. Adam Clarke, in his commentary on 1 John 2:25, notes that God has promised eternal life to all who believe in Christ Jesus. Those who receive Christ's doctrine and maintain communion with the Father and the Son will possess this eternal life [10]. The "work of faith" is described as the active reality of one's faith, demonstrating itself through its fruits rather than being a passive assent [8]. This working faith is a continuous chain of "work" [8].
For those who believe, there is an assurance of eternal life [7]. This assurance is produced by faith and confirmed by love [7]. It is an effect of righteousness and is abundant in the understanding of the Gospel [7]. This assurance extends to one's election, redemption, adoption, and salvation, as well as an unalienable love from God and union with God and Christ [7].
The hope of eternal life was present even before Christ's coming, with Jewish Christians looking forward to His arrival [9]. This hope is a central theme in the New Testament, encompassing the entire future of the redeemed [4]. It is described as a Sabbath of rest [4].
Sources
- John “This is eternal life, that they should know you, the only true God, and him whom you sent, Jesus Christ. -- John 17:3”
- John “Most certainly, I tell you, he who believes in me has eternal life. -- John 6:47”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Life, Eternal — Christ is -- 1Jo 1:2; 5:20. Revealed by Christ -- Joh 6:68; 2Ti 1:10. To know God and Christ is -- Joh 17:3. Given By God. -- Ps 133:3; Ro 6:23. By Christ. -- Joh 6:27; 10:28. In Christ. -- 1Jo 5:11. Through Christ. -- Ro 5:21; 6:23. To all given to Christ. -- Joh 17:2. To those who believe in God. -- Joh 5:24. To those who believe in Christ. -- Joh 3:15,16; 6:40,47. To those who hate life for Christ. -- Joh 12:25. In answer to prayer. -- Ps 21:4. Revealed in the Scriptures -- Joh 5:39. Results from Drinking the water of life. -- Joh 4:14. Eating the ”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Eternal life — This expression occurs in the Old Testament only in Dan. 12:2 (R.V., "everlasting life"). It occurs frequently in the New Testament (Matt. 7:14; 18:8, 9; Luke 10:28; comp. 18:18). It comprises the whole future of the redeemed (Luke 16:9), and is opposed to "eternal punishment" (Matt. 19:29; 25:46). It is the final reward and glory into which the children of God enter (1 Tim. 6:12, 19; Rom. 6:22; Gal. 6:8; 1 Tim. 1:16; Rom. 5:21); their Sabbath of rest (Heb. 4:9; comp. 12:22). The newness of life which the believer derives from Christ (Rom. 6:4) is the ”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Eternal death — The miserable fate of the wicked in hell (Matt. 25:46; Mark 3:29; Heb. 6:2; 2 Thess. 1:9; Matt. 18:8; 25:41; Jude 1:7). The Scripture as clearly teaches the unending duration of the penal sufferings of the lost as the "everlasting life," the "eternal life" of the righteous. The same Greek words in the New Testament (aion, aionios, aidios) are used to express (1) the eternal existence of God (1 Tim. 1:17; Rom. 1:20; 16:26); (2) of Christ (Rev. 1:18); (3) of the Holy Ghost (Heb. 9:14); and (4) the eternal duration of the sufferings of the lost (Matt. 25”
- 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).”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Assurance — Produced by faith -- Eph 3:12; 2Ti 1:12; Heb 10:22. Made full by hope -- Heb 6:11,19. Confirmed by love -- 1Jo 3:14,19; 4:18. Is the effect of righteousness -- Isa 32:17. Is abundant in the understanding of the gospel -- Col 2:2; 1Th 1:5. Saints privileged to have, of Their election. -- Ps 4:3; 1Th 1:4. Their redemption. -- Job 19:25. Their adoption. -- Ro 8:16; 1Jo 3:2. Their salvation. -- Isa 12:2. Eternal life. -- 1Jo 5:13. The unalienable love of God. -- Ro 8:38,39. Union with God and Christ. -- 1Co 6:15; 2Co 13:5; Eph 5:30; 1Jo 2:5; 4:13. Peace with ”
- 1 Thessalonians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Thessalonians 1:3: work of faith--the working reality of your faith; its alacrity in receiving the truth, and in evincing itself by its fruits. Not an otiose assent; but a realizing, working faith; not "in word only," but in one continuous chain of "work" (singular, not plural, works), Th1 1:5-10; Jam 2:22. So "the work of faith" in Th2 1:11 implies its perfect development (compare Jam 1:4). The other governing substantives similarly mark respectively the characteristic manifestation of the grace which follows each in the genitive. Faith, love, and hope, are the ”
- Ephesians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Ephesians 1:12: (Eph 1:6, Eph 1:14). who first trusted in Christ--rather (we Jewish Christians), "who have before hoped in the Christ": who before the Christ came, looked forward to His coming, waiting for the consolation of Israel. Compare Act 26:6-7, "I am judged for the hope of the promise made of God unto our fathers: unto which our twelve tribes, instantly serving God day and night, hope to come." Act 28:20, "the hope of Israel" [ALFORD]. Compare Eph 1:18; Eph 2:12; Eph 4:4.”
- 1 John (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on 1 John 2:25: This is the promise - God has promised eternal life to all who believe on Christ Jesus. So they who receive his doctrine, and continue in communion with the Father and the Son, shall have this eternal life.”