how to answer this objection

[DanielMarsh]

In I tim 6:16 we are told that only God is immortal. In I cor 15:50-55 all of the dead is raised incorruptible with immortal bodies, the same word for immortal is used in I tim 6:16. In Matthew 25:46, "eternal life" and "eternal punishment" is the same grammar, if you shorten the time for one, you shorten the time for the other. Since, the wicked have immortal bodies, they can not be consumed, digested, nor destoryed. What book can you point me to that answers this objection based on I cor 15, I tim 6 and matthew 25? thanks daniel.

 

[calidog]

1Ti 6:16 Who alone has immortality [in the sense of exemption from every kind of death] and lives in unapproachable light, Whom no man has ever seen or can see. Unto Him be honor and everlasting power and dominion. Amen (so be it).


1Co 15:42 So it is with the resurrection of the dead. [The body] that is sown is perishable and decays, but [the body] that is resurrected is imperishable (immune to decay, immortal). [Dan. 12:3.]
1Co 15:43 It is sown in dishonor and humiliation; it is raised in honor and glory. It is sown in infirmity and weakness; it is resurrected in strength and endued with power.
1Co 15:44 It is sown a natural (physical) body; it is raised a supernatural (a spiritual) body. [As surely as] there is a physical body, there is also a spiritual body.
1Co 15:45 Thus it is written, The first man Adam became a living being (an individual personality); the last Adam (Christ) became a life-giving Spirit [restoring the dead to life]. [Gen. 2:7.]
1Co 15:46 But it is not the spiritual life which came first, but the physical and then the spiritual.
1Co 15:47 The first man [was] from out of earth, made of dust (earthly-minded); the second Man [is] the Lord from out of heaven. [Gen. 2:7.]
1Co 15:48 Now those who are made of the dust are like him who was first made of the dust (earthly-minded); and as is [the Man] from heaven, so also [are those] who are of heaven (heavenly-minded).
1Co 15:49 And just as we have borne the image [of the man] of dust, so shall we and so let us also bear the image [of the Man] of heaven.
1Co 15:50 But I tell you this, brethren, flesh and blood cannot [become partakers of eternal salvation and] inherit or share in the kingdom of God; nor does the perishable (that which is decaying) inherit or share in the imperishable (the immortal).
1Co 15:51 Take notice! I tell you a mystery (a secret truth, an event decreed by the hidden purpose or counsel of God). We shall not all fall asleep [in death], but we shall all be changed (transformed)
1Co 15:52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the [sound of the] last trumpet call. For a trumpet will sound, and the dead [in Christ] will be raised imperishable (free and immune from decay), and we shall be changed (transformed).
1Co 15:53 For this perishable [part of us] must put on the imperishable [nature], and this mortal [part of us, this nature that is capable of dying] must put on immortality (freedom from death).
1Co 15:54 And when this perishable puts on the imperishable and this that was capable of dying puts on freedom from death, then shall be fulfilled the Scripture that says, Death is swallowed up (utterly vanquished forever) in and unto victory. [Isa. 25:8.]
1Co 15:55 O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting? [Hos. 13:14.]
1Co 15:56 Now sin is the sting of death, and sin exercises its power [upon the soul] through [the abuse of] the Law.
1Co 15:57 But thanks be to God, Who gives us the victory [making us conquerors] through our Lord Jesus Christ.


Mat 25:46 Then they will go away into eternal punishment, but those who are just and upright and in right standing with God into eternal life. [Dan. 12:2.]


I don't understand where the conflict is.

All people will be raised from the dead:

Rev 20:11 And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.
Rev 20:12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.
Rev 20:13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.
Rev 20:14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.
Rev 20:15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

 

[dmiller]

In I tim 6:16 we are told that only God is immortal. In I cor 15:50-55 all of the dead is raised incorruptible with immortal bodies, the same word for immortal is used in I tim 6:16. In Matthew 25:46, "eternal life" and "eternal punishment" is the same grammar, if you shorten the time for one, you shorten the time for the other. Since, the wicked have immortal bodies, they can not be consumed, digested, nor destoryed. What book can you point me to that answers this objection based on I cor 15, I tim 6 and matthew 25? thanks daniel.

The word for "immortality" in I Tim 6:16 is athanasia (and can be translated as *deathlessness*), as it pertains to Christ -- being a continuing description of Him from verse 15.
I Cor 15:50-55 does use the same word, describing the state of a believing man. By believing in Jesus, we can attain that "deathless state" when He returns. It is ours now only as in a promise for the future.

Jesus -- being the Son of God (the second Adam) never would have died, had He not chosen to give His life for mankind. I Tim says that Jesus is the only one who has immortality dwelling in the light and the implication is NOW versus later, when the promise to the rest of us will be fulfilled.

I don't understand how Mat 25: 46 fits into this.
Not being facetious -- but I think that is a different subject.
But then again --- I've been wrong before!

 

[heron]

888...Was that a creative bump? (-;

Notice also that in Timothy, God posesses it -- which could imply that He is the only one who has control over His immortality.

exwn (5723) aqanasian,

We can gain it as a gift, but no one knows the true outcome until we find ourselves mort - mortis - muerte.

 

[ITBM]

1 Tim 6:16 It says God IS immortal

1 Cor 15:50-55 It says mortality is replaced with immortality

I'd imagine your question would be: If only God is immortal, then how can humans acchieve immortality?

I'd imagine that just like God IS love and give us love He too can give us immortality.


I'm not sure how Matthew fits in either. My guess is that your issue is with immortality & eternal as opposed to infinite.

God is infinite. No beginning & no end.

Human (spirit) is immortal. There was a definite beginning but there is no end (life or punishment - aka the 2nd death)

 

[hannahfievel]

In I tim 6:16 we are told that only God is immortal. In I cor 15:50-55 all of the dead is raised incorruptible with immortal bodies, the same word for immortal is used in I tim 6:16. In Matthew 25:46, "eternal life" and "eternal punishment" is the same grammar, if you shorten the time for one, you shorten the time for the other. Since, the wicked have immortal bodies, they can not be consumed, digested, nor destoryed. What book can you point me to that answers this objection based on I cor 15, I tim 6 and matthew 25? thanks daniel.

Hello Daniel,

New here, and I have a question that kind of goes hand and hand with what you have asked. I thought humans became "eternal beings" not immortal beings. Can anyone explain what the difference would be?

I thought this the difference "immortal" meaning "this body we now own" and "eternal" bodies those that one day we shall wear are the ones God makes us when HE returns...we "cast off" this old body and are given new bodies that are "eternal"? Yes/no? Now, I am going to have to check back here and see what else others have to say! Good question btw, hannah

 

[Macca]

Hello Daniel,

New here, and I have a question that kind of goes hand and hand with what you have asked. I thought humans became "eternal beings" not immortal beings. Can anyone explain what the difference would be?

I thought this the difference "immortal" meaning "this body we now own" and "eternal" bodies those that one day we shall wear are the ones God makes us when HE returns...we "cast off" this old body and are given new bodies that are "eternal"? Yes/no? Now, I am going to have to check back here and see what else others have to say! Good question btw, hannah

Eternal implies without beginning or end; whereas immortal implies a beginning without death.
God is an eternal being; we become immortal.