John 8:35 and the Promise of Eternal Life
The concept of eternal life is a central theme in the New Testament, frequently appearing in the Gospels and Epistles. The apostle John, in 1 John 2:25 (NASB), states, "This is the promise which He Himself made to us: eternal life" [2]. Similarly, the Literal Translation of the Bible renders this verse as, "And this is the promise which He promised us: everlasting life" [1]. This promise is understood as the permanent consummation of abiding in the Son and the Father [8].
Eternal life is not merely an extended duration of earthly existence but a quality of life that begins in the present and continues into the future [4]. It is revealed by Christ and is intrinsically linked to knowing God and Christ (John 17:3) [3]. The doctrine of eternal life is taught throughout Scripture, appearing in the Old Testament, notably in Daniel 12:2, and frequently in the New Testament, such as Matthew 7:14 and Luke 10:28 [4]. The Old Testament also implies the perpetuity of existence, or immortality, in passages like Genesis 5:22, 24 and Exodus 3:6, with clearer teachings in later books like Isaiah 14:9 and Psalm 73:24 [5]. With the full revelation of the Gospel, this doctrine was "brought to light" (2 Timothy 1:10) [5].
Augustine, in his Homilies on John, connects eternal life to God's promise to give life to those given to Him, stating, "That He should give eternal life to as many as Thou hast given Him" [7]. He also emphasizes that eternal life is the ultimate good and happiness, where one lives to God and from God, in whom is the fountain of life [9]. The promise of eternal life is meant to strengthen believers in their labors, much like the remembrance of promised wages motivates a worker [10].
The gift of eternal life is given by God and through Christ [3]. It is received by those who believe in God and in Christ (John 3:15-16, 6:40, 47) [3]. Charles Hodge notes that belief in Jesus Christ is central to receiving eternal life, citing John 3:14-16, which states that "whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life" [11]. The Jamieson, Fausset & Brown Commentary on 1 John 2:25 also highlights Christ as the one who made this promise [8].
Eternal life is contrasted with eternal punishment (Matthew 19:29; 25:46) and represents the final reward and glory for the children of God [4]. It is the "newness of life" that believers derive from Christ (Romans 6:4) [4]. The assurance of eternal life is a privilege for saints, produced by faith and confirmed by love [6].
Sources
- I John “I John 2:25 (LITV) — And this is the promise which He promised us: everlasting life.”
- 1 John “1 John 2:25 (NASB) — This is the promise which He Himself made to us: eternal life.”
- 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: 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 ”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 7: Augustine — Homilies on John — CHAPTER XVII. 24-26. (part 2): life. For so He 413 says: "That He should give eternal life to as many as Thou hast given Him." Accordingly they were not given Him that from them He should withhold eternal life; although over them also the power has been given Him, inasmuch as He has received it over all flesh, in other words, over every man. In this way the world that has been reconciled will be delivered from the hostile world, when He putteth into exercise His power over it, to send it away into death eternal; but the other He maketh His own that H”
- 1 John (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 John 2:25: this is the promise--Eternal life shall be the permanent consummation of thus abiding in the Son and in the Father (Jo1 2:24). he--Greek, "Himself," Christ, "the Son" (compare Jo1 1:1). promised-- (Joh 3:15, Joh 3:36; Joh 6:40, Joh 6:47, Joh 6:57; Joh 17:2-3).”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 5: Augustine — Anti-Pelagian — CHAP. 37 [XXII.] --THE ETERNAL REWARD.: He then went on to state the reward: "I will be their God, and they shall be my people."(3) This corresponds to the Psalmist's words to God: "It is good for me to hold me fast by God."(10) "I will be," says God, "their God, and they shall be my people." What is better than this good, what happier than this happiness, --to live to God, to live from God, with whom [is the fountain of life, and in whose light we shall see light?(11) Of this life the Lord Himself speaks in these words: "This is life eternal that they ”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 7: Augustine — Homilies on John — 1 JOHN II. 18-27. (part 11): which I have heard from the beginning"(5) may "remain" in me; and that I may say to my God, "Because of the words of Thy lips have I kept hard ways."(6) Unto what wages then? Hear, and faint not. If thou wast fainting in the labors, upon the promised wages be strong. Where is the man that shall work in a vineyard, and shall let slip out of his heart the reward he is to receive? Suppose him to have forgotten, his hands fail. The remembrance of the promised wages makes him persevering in the work: and yet he that promised i”
- CCEL (Reformed (Old Princeton)) “Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 3, section 65: Jesus Christ. “As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” ( John iii. 14-16 .) “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life; and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him” ( ver. 36 ). “I am the bread of life: he that cometh to”