… according to the promise of the life which is in Christ Jesus…
Summary: Paul’s wording in this passage gives us a reason to pause and ponder.
Paul doesn’t waste any time in this letter. Already, before the ink is dry on his first sentence, I have questions about what he is saying. At least this time I am not alone!
Translators have issues with this sentence, too. The translation used for the passage above is the World English Bible (WEB). The NIV says it almost the same way:
“…in keeping with the promise of life that is in Christ Jesus…”
The Darby Translation says it a bit differently and may capture the intent of the Greek better than most:
“Paul, apostle of Jesus Christ by God’s will, according to promise of life, the [life] which [is] in Christ Jesus…”
Let’s go with this translation for now. What is the life which is in Christ Jesus? Jesus says:
“I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will still live, even if he dies.” (John 11:25, WEB)
There is a technical phrase for what this sentence does to the human brain. It is “cognitive dissonance.” A more colloquial way to put it would be, “Jesus, you grind my gears!”
How can I still live, even if I die?
It turns out that there are two kinds of life and death. The one we all know about is the kind of life we have when our body is working well, and the death we experience when the body stops working. But what about our inner self? What about the invisible, spiritual, personal “ME” that is inside of me and is where my thinking and feelings occur?
The invisible part of us doesn’t just go out when we die, like blowing out a candle. Instead, it continues to exist only without the complications of a physical body. How do I know this?
The best evidence is Jesus Christ himself. That he lived two thousand years ago is not contested. Some people claim that he didn’t really die on the cross, but the evidence that he did is overwhelming. Nobody survives being whipped to near death, crucified, and then run through to the heart with a lance.
It is Jesus himself who provides evidence of life after death, and it is his conversation with Nicodemus that explains why he knows:
“ I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things? No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven—the Son of Man.” (John 3:12-13)
He has “been there, done that,” as they say.
Application: Trust Jesus—he knows!
Food for Thought: What does the word “life” mean the way Paul is using it in his sentence?
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What does the word “life” mean the way Paul is using it in his sentence?
I believe Paul is speaking to the death of our old life through faith in Christ, and the new life which is raised by His power. When one submits to Christ, places faith in His death and resurrection, confesses Him as Lord and Savior, they are given the Holy Spirit, and Christ lives within them. This is in itself a new creation, and the life in Jesus Christ is one that is no longer separated from God, now or in eternity. Also, Christ gives life more abundantly here on Earth as we surrender more of ourselves to Him by grace, and are sanctified for His good work.
Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
Colossians 3:3–4 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
Romans 6:4 We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.
Ephesians 4:23–24 And to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.
1 John 5:11–12 And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.
Thank you, Chris!
Well said! I especially like the reminder that life in Christ is abundant life. 🙂