II Athanasia, Aphthartos, Aphtharsia—Restrict Innate Immortality to God

1. “APHTHARTOS” (“INCORRUPTIBLE”) LIKEWISE CONFINED EXCLUSIVELY TO GOD

The Greek adjective aphthartos (“incorruptible”), from which the single instance of the term “immortal” is translated (1 Timothy 1:17), occurs seven times in the New Testament, the six other cases being rendered “incorruptible”—and defined by Greenfield as “incorruptible, immortal, imperishable, undying, enduring.” The seven passages follow, with the key statement of the text:CFF1 447.2

(1) Romans 1:23—“Changed the glory of the uncorruptible [aphthartou] God into an image made like to corruptible man.”CFF1 447.3

(2) 1 Corinthians 9:25—“They do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible [aphtharton].”CFF1 447.4

(3) 1 Corinthians 15:52—“The dead shall be raised incorruptible [aphthartoi], and we shall be changed.”CFF1 447.5

(4) 1 Timothy 1:17—“The King eternal, immortal [aphtharto], invisible, the only wise God.”CFF1 447.6

(5) 1 Peter 1:4—“To an inheritance incorruptible [aphtharton], and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you.”CFF1 447.7

(6) 1 Peter 1:23—“Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible [aphthartou].”CFF1 447.8

(7) 1 Peter 3:4—“That which is not corruptible [aphtharto], even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit.”CFF1 447.9

The first four usages are by Paul, the last three by Peter. In the first passage aphthartos is used to describe God. In the second Paul utilizes it to depict the heavenly crown of the overcomer. In the third it is used to set forth the glories of the redeemed at the resurrection. In the fourth it is translated “immortal” and presents this unique and absolute attribute of God, the Eternal One. In the fifth Peter makes use of it to describe the inheritance reserved in Heaven for the overcomer. In the sixth it is used to set forth the creative principle by which regeneration is wrought in us. And in the seventh Peter again employs it to describe the heavenly adorning we are laboring to secure. These complete the instances.CFF1 447.10

Be it noted that in no case is aphthartos applied to man as a whole or to any part of man as a natural possession. It affirms that Christ brought Immortality, or incorruption, to light by coming to abolish death (2 Timothy 1:10). There could have been no life or Immortality without this, for the race was hopelessly doomed to death through sin. Christ abolished death by dying for man, and rising again a victor over death, thus preserving Immortality for us.CFF1 448.1

But this avails only for those who accept the proffered provision. Those who reject it will meet the same fate as would have been the lot of all, had not Christ undertaken the work of redemption with its imperishable boon. And it is to be particularly observed that aphthartos is never joined with the words for “soul” or “spirit” of man, in any of their 1,644 occurrences. It is predicated of only one being—the Eternal God. This is both highly significant and conclusive.CFF1 448.2

2. “APHTHARSIA” (“INCORRUPTION”)—NOT INALIENABLE POSSESSION OF MAN

And finally there is aphtharsia, defined as “incorruptibility,” “incorruptness,” and by implication, “immortality.” Aphtharsia occurring eight times (and twice rendered “immortality”) ^{11) Thus in Romans 2:7 and 2 Timothy 1:10, aphtharsia is translated “immortality”—otherwise “incorruption” or “sincerity.”} presents Immortality or incorruption from the material side (1 Corinthians 15:42, 50, 53, 54), also from the spiritual (Ephesians 6:24), and also from both aspects (Romans 2:7 and 2 Timothy 1:10). The passages follow:CFF1 448.3

(1) Romans 2:7—“Seek for glory and honour and immortality [aphtharsian], eternal life [zoen aionion].” (2) 1 Corinthians 15:42—“Sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption [aphtharsia].”CFF1 448.4

(3) 1 Corinthians 15:50—“Neither doth corruption inherit incorruption [aphtharsian].”CFF1 449.1

(4) 1 Corinthians 15:53—“This corruptible must put on incorruption [aphtharsian].”CFF1 449.2

(5) 1 Corinthians 15:54—“When this corruptible shall have put on incorruption [aphtharsian].”CFF1 449.3

(6) Ephesians 6:24—“Love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity [lit., “uncorruptness,” aphtharsia].”CFF1 449.4

(7) 2 Timothy 1:10—“Who [“our Saviour Jesus Christ”] hath abolished death, and hath brought life [zoen] and immortality [aphtharsian] to light.”CFF1 449.5

(8) Titus 2:7—“Uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity [aphtharsian, “incorruptibility”].” ^{22) Omitted by Griesbach, Lochmann, Tischendorf, Tregelles, Alford, and Codex Sinaiticus.}CFF1 449.6

Note that in the second one Paul refers to the body after the resurrection. And in the third, fourth, and fifth Paul declares that “incorruption” cannot be inherited in our present mortal condition, and that “incorruption” must be put on before we can enter the kingdom of God. In the sixth and eighth it is used to describe the love we should bear to Christ, and the quality of doctrine we should hold. The seventh shows the relation of the gospel to Immortality.CFF1 449.7

3. OBSERVATION

That is the complete Biblical testimony on Immortality and incorruptibility. So far from being applied to man inherently, it points out the supreme contrast between God and man. Man is now only corruptible and mortal. Incorruptibility and Immortality are for man an object of hope, for which he is to seek. These terms contrast the heavenly and the eternal with the earthly and the decaying. In other words, the Biblical usage in no way implies or sustains the popular Innate Immortality of the soul postulate.CFF1 449.8