One of the chronic problems with gaining an accurate understanding of God's word, based on reading and even studying an English Translation is dealing with original language words with two or more meanings. Sometimes the translators choose the correct contextual meaning, but sometimes they choose the wrong one, or more often they choose an ambiguous word that could convey more than one meaning.
I have posted concerning words like sanctify (make holy or set apart) and baptism (water or spiritual) in prior threads. Today I wish to consider the concept of "death." When we see references to "death" we must ask ourselves, "does this refer to physical death, spiritual death or both?
First we must deal with the concept, end of existence, such as the end of physical life, or separation from God due to unholiness. When we were "dead in our trespasses" we were physically alive, but spiritually dead, meaning separated from God.
Our next question deals with just when did "death" enter mankind?
Romans 5:12 NASB
Therefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all mankind, because all sinned—
Here we see that when Adam volitionally sinned, death entered mankind. Since Adam and Eve did not physically die that day, they died "spiritually." Meaning they were separated from God, illustrated by being kicked out of the Garden of Eden, and prevented from ever reentering of their own accord. Paul also writes that as a result of Adam's sin, all of humanity were "made sinners." (Romans 5:19)
But that still leaves us pondering when did physical death enter the world. Some claim physical death did not beginning in the world (referring to all life forms) until after Adam sinned. I believe that is a mistaken view.
If we look at the Genesis 1 account we see plants and animals were created to procreate "after their kind." There would be no need unless either mortality existed or was anticipated. In Genesis 1:11, on day 3 of creation, plants were created with the ability to re-create their kind, through their "seed."
In Genesis 1:22 we that animal life were created with the ability to multiply before Adam had sinned.
Lastly let us consider the "Second Death" which results in the destruction of not only the body but also the soul in Gehenna.
I have posted concerning words like sanctify (make holy or set apart) and baptism (water or spiritual) in prior threads. Today I wish to consider the concept of "death." When we see references to "death" we must ask ourselves, "does this refer to physical death, spiritual death or both?
First we must deal with the concept, end of existence, such as the end of physical life, or separation from God due to unholiness. When we were "dead in our trespasses" we were physically alive, but spiritually dead, meaning separated from God.
Our next question deals with just when did "death" enter mankind?
Romans 5:12 NASB
Therefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all mankind, because all sinned—
Here we see that when Adam volitionally sinned, death entered mankind. Since Adam and Eve did not physically die that day, they died "spiritually." Meaning they were separated from God, illustrated by being kicked out of the Garden of Eden, and prevented from ever reentering of their own accord. Paul also writes that as a result of Adam's sin, all of humanity were "made sinners." (Romans 5:19)
But that still leaves us pondering when did physical death enter the world. Some claim physical death did not beginning in the world (referring to all life forms) until after Adam sinned. I believe that is a mistaken view.
If we look at the Genesis 1 account we see plants and animals were created to procreate "after their kind." There would be no need unless either mortality existed or was anticipated. In Genesis 1:11, on day 3 of creation, plants were created with the ability to re-create their kind, through their "seed."
In Genesis 1:22 we that animal life were created with the ability to multiply before Adam had sinned.
Lastly let us consider the "Second Death" which results in the destruction of not only the body but also the soul in Gehenna.