The promise of eternal life

God has promised us eternal life, and that life is through Jesus Christ:  1 John 2.25

The words “eternal” and “everlasting” are interchangeable but also have some distinction.  Reading John 3:15-16 in the New King James, we see both words, but they translate the same Greek word.

“Eternal” can include no beginning, which only applies to God.  We can only be everlasting.  The word “everlasting” when used with “life” (“zoe” in Greek) can speak of the life that never ends, but when either word is used with “life,” the focus is on the kind of life we have with God—a quality of existence.

“Everlasting”  speaks of a linear duration of time that goes on without end, and can apply to the judgment of the unsaved as in Matthew 18.9.  

” No, not ever”   

“Ever” translates what appears to be an idiom “into the age (aiona)”    And when this idiom appears with the strong negative of what appears as double negative, it is translated “never.”   Jesus said in John 4.14: “not, not into the age thirst, being translated “never thirst”; also see John 8.51-52; 11.26; cp. With Peter 13.8: “not, not ever wash my feet.”  There are 5 Greek words translated as “never” being “not, not into the age.”

Eternal Life is Christ’s to give:  John 4.10; 10.27-28; 17.2

Christ gives eternal life to those who believe in him for it (John 6:47). God saves from the penalty of sin those who believe in Jesus, the son of God, who suffered for their sins on the cross, so God could save them.  To be saved from sin is to be given eternal life.