Death is separation, whether it
is physical as in the separation of the person from
his body, or spiritual separation of the person from
a relationship with God.
Death is the opposite of life,
but it never denotes non–existence, annihilation,
extinction of being, or even being inactive.
As spiritual life is “conscious
existence in communion with God,” so spiritual death
is “conscious existence in separation from God"
(Vine). Figuratively, death is the loss of spiritual
life (Romans 8:6), and the final state of the
spiritual unregenerate is called "second death"
(Revelation 20:14).
Death in the Bible is the
separation of the soul or spiritual element of a
person from his material body resulting in it
ceasing to function and turning to dust (John 11:13;
Hebrews 2:15; 5:7; 7:23).
It also signifies a man's
separation from God and His life because it is
devoted to trespasses and sins. In a spiritual sense
Adam died on the day he was disobedient to God
(Genesis 2:17). Because of Adam's disobedience every
person born since Adam, with the exception of Jesus
Christ, is in this same spiritual condition (Romans
5:12, 14, 17, 21; 1 Corinthians 15:22).
To be "dead in trespasses and
sins" (Ephesians 2:1) is to live a life in a state
of separation from God because it is not energized
and supported by the Holy Spirit. The spiritually
dead person is active, but his energy comes from a
totally depraved nature. The Spirit of God is absent
in the unregenerate person's life. The spiritually
dead person totally misses the goal of bringing
glory to God. Sinful man has “come short of the
glory of God” (Romans 3:23). Depraved man wanders
away from the path of God. "All of us like sheep
have gone astray, Each of us has turned to his own
way; But the Lord has caused the iniquity of us all
To fall on Him" (Isaiah 53:6).
Moreover, death is the penal
consequences of sin. "Therefore, just as through one
man sin entered into the world, and death through
sin, and so death spread to all men, because all
sinned" (Romans 5:12).
"The wages of sin is death"
(Rom. 6:23a). The salary that Satan pays is
death—spiritual, moral, physical, and eternal
separation from God. Sin results in death (Rom.
6:16, 21, 23).
"For the wages of sin is death,
but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ
Jesus our Lord" (Rom. 6:23). What a contrast: death
and eternal life. Sin pays wages—death. God gives
His free gift—eternal life. Eternal life is God's
free gift (John 3:16, 36). Eternal death is in
contrast with God's kind of life. This death is
eternal separation from God in an eternal hell (Luke
16:24-25). Eternal life is a gift that cannot be
earned (Ephesians 2:8-8; Titus 3:5).
Ephesians 2:1, 5, tells us the
spiritually unregenerate person is already "dead in
trespasses and sins" (cf. Col. 2:13).
Of course, Paul is speaking here of spiritual
death, not physical because unsaved persons are very
much animated physically. The person who is dead
spiritually has no communication with God.
Ezekiel 18:4 and Romans 6:23
both teach us that death is universal because sin is
universal (cf. Rom. 1:32; 7:5; James 1:15; Rev.
20:14). "Sin reigns unto death, grace reigns through
righteousness unto eternal life. Just as Adam
brought sin on all men, he brought death on all.
Death is passed on to all men."
Genesis 2:17 places a close
connection between man's death and his transgression
of God's command. Behind death lies the deep
consciousness that it is unnatural and contrary to
our innermost being.
With sin came decay,
degeneration, death, not of the spirit, but the body
into which the soul was breathed by God. The body is
imperishable; it undergoes change, not extinction.
The body is redeemed and we have the promise of a
resurrection body as a result of the atonement and
resurrection of Jesus Christ.
"Second death" is an expression
found in Revelation 2:11; 20:6, 14; 21:8 denoting
the final penalty for the unrighteous. God's penalty
for sin was both spiritual and physical death (Rom.
6:23; 7:13). The reason death spread to all was
because "all sinned." The entire human race is
viewed as having sinned in the one act of Adam's sin
(Rom. 5:12; 3:23).
Jesus Christ by the grace of
God, tasted death for us (Heb. 2:9), and therefore
delivered us who were subjects of death, and offers
us eternal life with Him in heaven. He was made a
curse for us (Gal. 3:13). "For while we were still
helpless, at the right time Christ died for the
ungodly. . . . But God demonstrates His own love
toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ
died for us" (Romans 5:6-8).
Believers in Jesus Christ have
been set free from sin because they are alive to God
(Rom. 6:11), and have eternal life (Rom. 6:23).
Christians need to understand
"there is a sin unto death" (1 John 5:17). "For this
reason many among you are weak and sick, and a
number sleep" (1 Corinthians 11:30). Spiritual
discipline for the obstinate Christian could result
in physical death (Heb. 12:5-11; 1 John 5:16). "How
much more we should submit to our spiritual Father
and live!" This does not suggest the true believer
will lose his salvation (John 10:27-30; Romans
8:28-30; Philippians 1:6).
Because we are alive to God
(Rom. 6:11), and already have eternal life (Rom.
6:23), we should present ourselves to Him (Rom.
6:13, 19) and live lives that are pleasing to Him
(Rom. 6:6, 11-14, 22).
Every individual who puts his
faith in Jesus Christ is delivered from this
spiritual death (John 5:24; 1 John 3:14).
Genesis 2:17; Ezekiel 18:4;
Romans 5:12; 6:23; 5:6, 8; 1 John 5:17; John 11:25;
14:6; 1 Corinthians 15:42-58; Revelation 2:11; 20:6,
14; 21:4, 8; Ephesians 2:1, 5
1. If we sin, God will punish
(Genesis 2:17; Ezekiel 18:4; Romans 3:23; 6:23).
2. When you live a life in a
state of separation from God, you are dead
spiritually.
3. When a person lives his life
in the pursuit of the works of the flesh, he is dead
while he lives.
4. When you repent of your sins
and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, you receive
God's free gift of eternal life which is like being
raised from the dead.
5. Jesus said, "I am the
resurrection and the life" (John 11:25). Death for
the Christian is not a helpless and hopeless
separation of the body and soul; it is an entrance
into the fullness of eternal life (Romans 5:17, 21).
6. Revelation 21-22 gives us
the assurance that the curse of sin and death will
be forever broken.
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Unless otherwise noted "Scripture quotations taken from the NASB."
"Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE" © Copyright 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation Used by permission." (www.Lockman.org)Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NET) are from the NET Bible copyright ©1996-2006 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. http://www.bible.org/. All rights reserved.
Wil is a graduate of William Carey University, B. A.; New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, Th. M.; and Azusa Pacific University, M. A. He has pastored in Panama, Ecuador and the U. S, and served for over 20 years as missionary in Ecuador and Honduras. He had a daily expository Bible teaching ministry head in over 100 countries from 1972-2005. He continues to seek opportunities to be personally involved in world missions. Wil and his wife Ann have three grown daughters. He currently serves as a Baptist pastor and teaches seminary extension courses in Ecuador.
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