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Immortality (ἀθανασία)

From: Concise Bible Dictionary: I

By: George A. Morrish

Narrator: Chris Genthree

• 1 min. read • grade level: 11

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The deathless state which stands in contrast to the mortality of man, and which the “mortal” will “put on” when “changed” (1 Cor. 15:53-54⁵³For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. ⁵⁴So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. (1 Corinthians 15:53‑54)). God only has in Himself immortality, being the fountain and source of life for all things (1 Tim. 6:16¹⁶Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honor and power everlasting. Amen. (1 Timothy 6:16)). In Romans 2:7⁷To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life: (Romans 2:7) and 2 Timothy 1:10¹⁰But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel: (2 Timothy 1:10) the word is (ἀφθαρσία, not “immortality,” but “incorruption.”

The immortality of the soul is plainly revealed in scripture. God breathed into Adam’s nostrils the breath of life, and he became a living soul (Gen. 2:7⁷And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul. (Genesis 2:7)), which is quite different from anything said of a mere animal. The Lord, when showing the Sadducees that God is not the God of the dead, but of the living, added “for all live unto [or ‘for’] him” (Luke 20:38³⁸For he is not a God of the dead, but of the living: for all live unto him. (Luke 20:38)), though as to the body they may have died.

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Concise Bible Dictionary: I

• I Am That I Am

• Illuminated

• Imla, Imlah

• Immanuel, Emmanuel

• Immortality (ἀθανασία)