The phrase “eternal life” points to a spiritual state of existence of only those who believe. This phrase is found mostly in NT and only once in OT in Dan. 12:2 as “everlasting life”.
The Gk. word translated “eternal” predominantly (66 times in NT except for Rom. 16:25, Titus 1:2, 2 Tim. 1:9) means “forever, always, unending, continuous” and it also conveys “a particular character and quality.” This word does not just focus on the future but also the quality of the future.
Always remember it is a gift of God. Rom. 6:23 says, “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Definition:
In Chapter 17, Jesus Himself defines it in v.3 as “And this is eternal life, that they [v.2 – whom the Father has given to the Son] know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.”
“Eternal life” is to know God the Father and God the Son through God the Spirit who regenerates a person so as to believe in Jesus (Gal. 6:8).
The Gk. word “ginosko” translated as “know” is not knowing about God and also not knowing about Christ, the Son of God but it is to “know God and His Son through personal and intimate experience”.
It is that experiential knowledge of God and His Son that is gifted through the relationship that has been established with the believer, not just the intellectual knowledge that many have. That relationship happens only through believing in Christ (Rom. 5:1,10; Col. 1:20).
Without the saving faith in Jesus, there is no loving relationship between a person and God and so cannot “know” God and His Christ. We have to believe in Christ to have eternal life (Jn. 6:40).
Another way to define is in 1 Jn. 5:20 – “And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know [same Gk. word ginosko] him [God] who is true; and we are in him [Christ] who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.” Jesus Himself is eternal life and apart from Him there is no eternal life (1 Jn. 2:23, 1 Jn. 5:12).
Jesus is the resurrection and the life (Jn. 11:25). Jesus is the revealer of eternal life (Jn. 12:50). Jesus is the giver of eternal life (Jn. 10:28).
Duration:
In the Bible, this term “eternal life” is used in all 3 tenses.
In the past tense in 1 Jn. 5:11, “And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in His Son.” (This is at the moment of salvation).
In the present tense in Jn. 6:47 it says, “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes has [Gk. means own, possess] eternal life.”
In future tense in Rom. 2:7, “…to those who by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, he will give eternal life.” (This is in the future as we seek incorruption through the resurrected body)
So eternal life of knowing God and Christ personally and intimately –
starts at the moment when we were saved (past),
remains with us all throughout our life on earth (present) and
continues to be with us even after death when we will be with the Lord. (future).
