What is…
eternal life

• Are human souls immortal?

Eternal life is frequently mentioned or alluded to in the New Testament.

And a ruler questioned Him, saying, “Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” —Luke 18:18

…the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it. —Matthew 7:14

And if your hand or your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it from you; it is better for you to enter life crippled or lame, than, having two hands or two feet, to be cast into the eternal fire. And if your eye causes you to stumble, tear it out and throw it from you. It is better for you to enter life with one eye, than, having two eyes, to be cast into the fiery hell. —Matthew 18:8-9

Eternal life comprises the whole future of the redeemed, and is opposed to eternal death.

“…everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or farms for My name’s sake, will receive many times as much, and will inherit eternal life.” —Matthew 19:29

“These will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous [due to their redemption] into eternal life.” —Matthew 25:46

Eternal life is the final reward and glory into which the children of God enter (1 Timothy 6:12, 19; Romans 6:22; Galatians 6:8; 1 Timothy 1:16; Romans 5:21); their Sabbath of rest (Hebrews 4:9; compare 12:22).

The newness of life which the believer derives from Christ (Romans 6:4) is the very essence of salvation, and hence the life of glory or the eternal life must also be theirs (Romans 6:8; 2 Tim. 2:11-12; Romans 5:17, 21; 8:30; Ephesians 2:5-6). It is the “gift of God in Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:23).

The life the faithful have here on Earth (John 3:36; 5:24; 6:47, 53-58) is inseparably connected with the eternal life beyond, the endless life of the future, the happy future of the saints in heaven (Matthew 19:16, 29; 25:46).

Those who experience eternal life will be blessed with perfect joy and perfect knowledge of our Creator.

This basic truth was revealed in Old Testament times to the wise prophet Daniel.

And many of those who sleep in the dust of the ground will awake, these to everlasting life, but the others to reproach and everlasting contempt. —Daniel 12:2

More information

• eternal death
• immortality
• life
• death
• heaven
• paradise
• salvation
• Is there an actual place called “Hell”? Answer
• Why was Hell made? Answer
• Is there anyone in Hell today? Answer
• Will there literally be a burning fire in Hell? Answer
• What should you be willing to do to stay out of Hell? Answer
• How can a God of love send anybody to Hell? Answer
• What if I don’t believe in Hell? Answer
• The Good News—How to be saved from Hell. Answer
• How do we know the Bible is true? Answer
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• What is “blasphemy”? Answer