The concept of Life eternal in Christianity
Life eternal in Christianity signifies a profound and lasting existence granted to believers through their relationship with God and Jesus Christ. It encompasses not only the promise of everlasting life beyond physical death but also a deep spiritual connection that enriches one's experience. This concept includes deliverance from sin, spiritual vitality, and communion with the divine, which provides believers with fulfillment and hope for a relationship that transcends earthly life. Life eternal is ultimately viewed as the ultimate reward for faithfulness and righteousness.
Synonyms: Everlasting life, Eternal life, Immortality, Everlasting existence, Perpetual existence, Unending life, Immortal existence, Perpetual life, Infinite life, Endless existence
In Dutch: Eeuwig leven; In Spanish: Vida eterna; In German: Ewiges Leben; In Swedish: Evigt liv; In Malay: Kehidupan yang kekal; In Finnish: Elämä ikuinen; In French: La vie éternelle
The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.
Christian concept of 'Life eternal'
From: Ante-nicene Fathers
(1) This describes the state of existence that endures forever, contrasting with the impermanence of physical sustenance.[1] (2) The harvest-man gathers fruit unto this state, where both the sower and the reaper may rejoice together in this endeavor.[2] (3) This is the reward for those who have their fruit unto holiness and are servants to God, representing the ultimate goal and the result of devotion.[3] (4) This phrase describes everlasting existence, highlighting the significance of spiritual knowledge and the pursuit of a relationship with the divine for salvation.[4] (5) This individual gives to His believing people power to drink spiritual waters, which spring up to life eternal, implying a promise of everlasting existence.[5]
From: Gospel of Thomas Commentary
(1) This is what the reaper receives wages for, and the one who sows and reaps may rejoice together, and it is a benefit.[6]
From: Expositions of Holy Scripture
(1) The text offers life eternal, deliverance from the death of sin both as guilt and power, the pouring out upon us of all the blessing that our thirsty spirits can desire.[7] (2) The text mentions that if faith be rooted in Christ, it will bear fruit unto life eternal.[8] (3) This phrase refers to the state that those who hate their life in this world shall keep, representing a state of existence beyond the present.[9] (4) The realization of everlasting life through the knowledge of God and Jesus Christ, deeper than mere intellectual agreement, involving a personal relationship.[10] (5) The ongoing existence and communion with God that is promised to believers in Jesus Christ.[11]
From: The Complete Sayings of Jesus
(1) The ultimate promise of everlasting existence and communion with God offered to the righteous.[12] (2) The spiritual reward of everlasting life promised to those who follow and serve Jesus.[13]
From: Hymns for Christian Devotion
(1) The concept of everlasting life, which the speaker wishes to receive and experience.[14]
From: A Dictionary of the Bible (Hastings)
(1) The everlasting life promised to believers through faith in Christ, signifying a continuous relationship with God.[15]
From: The Little Flowers of St. Francis
(1) The beatitude assured to those who, after the example of St. Francis, shall perfectly follow the desire of most holy Poverty.[16] (2) The promised reward for St. Francis, described as a treasure, and the source of his great joy, a promise from the divine.[17] (3) The eternal rest promised to those who die in peace, as mentioned in the Psalm verse recited by Friar James.[18] (4) A state of everlasting existence, often referred to in a religious context as an afterlife or spiritual continuation beyond physical death.[19] (5) The ultimate goal of Friar John's journey; represented as the reward promised by Christ after his earthly life.[20]
From: The city of God
(1) The state of being where the righteous will go, and it is the opposite of everlasting punishment, and it is the ultimate reward for the righteous, according to the words of the Son of Man.[21] (2) The text considers life eternal as the supreme good, suggesting that achieving this state is the ultimate goal.[22]
From: Summa Theologica (English translation)
(1) The ultimate end intended by God for rational creatures, representing the experience of seeing God.[23]