- Published on
by Whitney V. Myers
Sun and Clouds - Pixabay Stock Photo - with John 17:3 Added
"This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent." (John 17:3)
"Life eternal, then, is not mere conscious and unending existence, but a life of acquaintance with God in Christ." (Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary, Ref. 1)
This lesson describes the biblical definition of eternal life. This lesson primarily uses the Scriptures about eternal life in the Gospel of John. In the next lesson in the series, we will focus on who receives eternal life and how to receive eternal life.
Consider. Think for a moment. How would you define eternal life? How would you explain eternal life to an inquisitive unbeliever, or to a new Christian? For believers in Christ, eternal life certainly includes living with God after our physical death (John 11:25-26). However, the Bible has much more to say about the characteristics of eternal life.
The Apostle Paul states, "For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 6:23). In this verse, the Greek word for gift is charisma. Charisma means a gift of grace, an undeserved favor (Ref. 2). Thus, eternal life is not something we deserve or earn. Eternal life is an undeserved gift of God's grace and favor. "In spite of your sanctification as Christians, still you will not have earned eternal life; it is the gift of God’s grace" (Ref. 3).
Jesus said, "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand" (John 10:27-28).
Jesus said, "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand" (John 10:27-28).
Jesus described eternal life in the present tense. Thus, eternal life is not just in the future, but is a present possession of the believer which continues into the future.
John 3:36 - "He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not obey the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him."
John 5:24 - "Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life.
John 6:47 - "Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes has eternal life."
In John 5:24, note the importance of hearing Jesus' words. Jesus said, "He who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life."
John 3:36 - "He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not obey the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him."
John 5:24 - "Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life.
John 6:47 - "Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes has eternal life."
In John 5:24, note the importance of hearing Jesus' words. Jesus said, "He who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life."
Jesus said to Martha, "I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?" (John 11:25-26).
To the thief on the cross who asked Jesus to remember him, Jesus said, "Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise" (Luke 23:42-43).
Jesus said to his disciples, "In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also" (John 14:2-3).
To the thief on the cross who asked Jesus to remember him, Jesus said, "Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise" (Luke 23:42-43).
Jesus said to his disciples, "In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also" (John 14:2-3).
"Jesus spoke these things; and lifting up His eyes to heaven, He said, 'Father, the hour has come; glorify Your Son, that the Son may glorify You, even as You gave Him authority over all flesh, that to all whom You have given Him, He may give eternal life. This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent" (John 17:1-3).
In John 17:3, the Greek word for know is ginóskó. Ginóskó means to know, especially through personal experience (first-hand acquaintance) (HELPS Word-studies, Ref. 4). Knowing God experientially requires knowing Jesus who is the truth (John 14:6), as well as knowing and living the Word of God on a daily and life-long basis. "This life eternal, then, is not mere conscious and unending existence, but a life of acquaintance with God in Christ" (Ref. 1).
In John 17:3, the Greek word for know is ginóskó. Ginóskó means to know, especially through personal experience (first-hand acquaintance) (HELPS Word-studies, Ref. 4). Knowing God experientially requires knowing Jesus who is the truth (John 14:6), as well as knowing and living the Word of God on a daily and life-long basis. "This life eternal, then, is not mere conscious and unending existence, but a life of acquaintance with God in Christ" (Ref. 1).
The Greek word for eternal is aiónios, which means perpetual, unending, age-long (Strong's Concordance, Ref. 5). Aiónios includes the character of that which lasts for an age, as contrasted with that which is brief and fleeting (Ref. 5). "Aiónios does not focus on the future per se, but rather on the quality of the age it relates to. Thus, believers live in eternal life right now, experiencing this quality of God's life now as a present possession" (Helps Word-studies, Ref. 5).
Summary. Eternal life is a free gift of God to those who believe in Jesus Christ. Eternal life begins when we put our faith in Jesus. As believers in Christ, eternal life continues with God after our physical death. Eternal life is the quality of life that results when we know Jesus Christ by experience, on a first-hand basis.
Apply. Think for a moment. In your own words, how would you describe eternal life? Write down your description of eternal life in a few sentences. What Scripture verse would be your key reference?
Related Lessons
"Paradise, Jesus, and the Penitent Thief" (Luke 23:42-43)
"What is the Tree of Life in the Bible?" (Genesis 2:9, Revelation 2:7)
"Made Alive Together with Christ - A New Quality of Life" (Ephesians 2:4-5)
"Jesus is the Resurrection and the Life (Job's Question, Jesus' Answer)" (Job 14:14, John 11:25-26)
"Where Does Your Soul Go When You Die?" - Genesis 35:18
"Paradise, Jesus, and the Penitent Thief" (Luke 23:42-43)
"What is the Tree of Life in the Bible?" (Genesis 2:9, Revelation 2:7)
"Made Alive Together with Christ - A New Quality of Life" (Ephesians 2:4-5)
"Jesus is the Resurrection and the Life (Job's Question, Jesus' Answer)" (Job 14:14, John 11:25-26)
"Where Does Your Soul Go When You Die?" - Genesis 35:18
Amen! Thank you for your thoughtful message.
Whitney
Thank you for your comment. Yes, if we die in union with Christ our spirit goes immediately to be with Christ upon our physical death, and our spirit lives with Christ for eternity. In Luke 23:43, Jesus said to the penitent thief on the cross, "Today you shall be with Me in Paradise." Even though the thief's body died that day, his spirit went immediately to Paradise to be with Jesus. In John 11:25-26, Jesus told Martha, "I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me shall live even if he dies, and everyone who believes in Me shall never die."
Thank you for your question dated 2January2022. I have a couple of thoughts in response. First, the Bible does not teach reincarnation, that we become another being or come back as a “presence” after our death. Hebrews 9:27 says, “It is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment.” Second, more positively, if we are fortunate to have had godly parents or godly grandparents, or others such as Sunday School teachers who have helped and encouraged us while they were alive, their influence, teachings, and writings still help us while we are living, even though they have already passed on. So, in the same way, while we are alive, we should help and teach others in ways that will encourage them after our death.
Recall Hebrews chapter 11 where the writer provides a long list of God’s people who kept the faith. Then in Hebrews 12:1, the Bible says, “Therefore, since we also have such a great cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let’s rid ourselves of every obstacle and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let’s run with endurance the race that is set before us.”
I hope that helps.
Whitney
Thank you for your comment. In my understanding, eternal life is not the same thing as belief in Christ, but is the result of our belief in Christ. Eternal life is a free gift from God to believers (Romans 6:23). In line with your comment, Jesus stated in John 5:24 two conditions for our receiving eternal life -- hearing Jesus' words (and obeying them as you mention) and believing in Him who sent Jesus. In John 6:38, Jesus said "I have come down from heaven not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me."
I hope that helps.
Whitney
I have learnt today more about the Bibles questions and answers. I didn't know anything before.
I hope that through your prayer I will improve myself coming days.
THANKS A LOT
Thank you for your comment. God bless you. Keep on looking into and studying the Bible, and God will help you to learn, and He will answer your questions. John 16:13 says that the Spirit of truth (the Holy Spirit) will guide you into all the truth. God's Holy Spirit and God's word will be your life-long teacher.
God's blessing to you,
Whitney
Thank you for your question.
Eternal life begins for the believer in Jesus Christ at the point when he or she believes in (puts faith in, trusts in) Jesus Christ. John 3:36 NIV says, “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them.” Likewise, 1 John 5:11-12 NIV tells us, “And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.” Eternal life is a present possession for the believer in Jesus Christ. Eternal life begins when we believe in Christ, and continues with God after our physical death.
I hope that helps.
Best regards in Christ,
Whitney
Thank you for sharing your revelation for eternal life. Thank you for being there. I feel so inspired with your comments.
Just thought to share my comment. As i was meditating this word of eternal life i found this gift of God comes by faith in Christ Jesus. And this is holy life and devine present possession that we live a holy life of God in Christ Jesus.
Peace of the Lord beloved,
Dianah from Rwanda( Kigali)
Thank you for sending your comment. I rejoice that God led you to this site and this article on eternal life. Praise God that he has helped you to believe in his Son, Jesus Christ, and to receive God’s gift of eternal life.
Also, let’s be thankful for today’s technologies — such as the internet, smart phones, and world-wide communications — that enable people such as yourself to find good Bible-based resources.
Blessings to you in Christ,
Mr. Whitney V. Myers
As a child of God after repentance of sins and faith in Jesus, we enjoy eternal life daily, on this side of our physical existence despite our daily struggles.
On the other side after our physical departure, we continue enjoying eternal life learning about God, with other brethren, without the earthly struggles of life.
I feel Peace to know that when I study and reflect on God's word either during my personal quiet time, or at church or discussing the bible with others, we are actual feeding and enjoying eternal life!
Eternal life means knowing more and more of God, and following (obeying) His guiding words.
Praise be to God.
Amen! Thank you for your thoughtful comments.
Blessings to you in Christ,
Mr. Whitney V. Myers
We are gifted eternal life through an experience-based relationship with God through His Son Jesus Christ.
Thank you for your question. Let’s look at the meaning of “asleep.” In 1 Thessalonians 4:14, the Apostle Paul writes of Jesus’ (future) return. “For if we believe that Jesus died and rose from the dead, so also God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep through Jesus.” “Asleep” is a metaphor in the New Testament for death – the physical death of our body, but not of the soul and spirit which live on when our body dies (Genesis 35:18, John 11:25-26). One New Testament example includes Jesus raising Jairus’ daughter (Luke 8:49-56). She had died (was “asleep” – Luke 8:52) but at Jesus’ command, her spirit returned (Luke 8:55). Note also in John 11, Lazarus had died, and Jesus referred to him as “asleep” (John 11:11-14).
In 1 Thessalonians 4:14, the Apostle Paul writes that Jesus will return and Jesus will bring with him the souls and spirits of believers – people who have died in Christ. One example of a person who had died in Christ was Stephen the martyr (Acts 7:54-60). Stephen saw Jesus standing in heaven (Acts 7:56). As Stephen was dying, he asked Jesus to receive his spirit (Acts 7:59) and then he fell “asleep” (Acts 7:60).
In 1 Thessalonians 4:15-16, the Apostle Paul writes: “For we say this to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.” The term “fallen asleep” in verse 15 again refers to the death of the physical body only. For believers in Christ, when our physical body dies, our soul and spirit go immediately to be with Jesus – Luke 23:43, Acts 7:58-60, Philippians 1:21-23. When Jesus returns, the “dead in Christ will rise first” refers to the bodies of believers who had died being resurrected first before God changes believers who are still alive at that time.
Sincerely,
Mr. Whitney V. Myers