### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek word ἀθανασία (athanasía, `{{G110}}`) is a compound term derived from the privative alpha (α-), signifying negation, and θάνατος (thánatos, `{{G2288}}`), meaning "death." Thus, its core meaning is "deathlessness" or "immortality." It denotes the state of being exempt from death, decay, or termination. Semantically, it stretches beyond mere unending existence to encompass an incorruptible and imperishable quality of life. In classical Greek thought, it was often ascribed to the gods, but in biblical usage, it takes on a specific theological nuance, referring both to an inherent divine attribute and a promised eschatological state for humanity.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term ἀθανασία (athanasía, `{{G110}}`) appears three times in the New Testament, each instance offering profound theological insight:
* **[[1 Corinthians 15:53]]**: "For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality."
* **[[1 Corinthians 15:54]]**: "When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: 'Death is swallowed up in victory.'"
In these verses, ἀθανασία is presented as a future, transformative state for the resurrected believer. It is something "put on," indicating a divine endowment rather than an inherent human quality. The context is the grand resurrection chapter, where Paul contrasts the present mortal, perishable body with the future immortal, imperishable body. This transformation signifies the ultimate victory over death, a central tenet of Christian hope.
* **[[1 Timothy 6:16]]**: "...who alone has immortality, who dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see. To him be honor and eternal dominion. Amen."
Here, ἀθανασία is explicitly attributed solely to God. This verse underscores God's unique and inherent nature as the source of all life and the one who is eternally beyond the reach of death. It implies that any immortality experienced by created beings is a gift from this divine source, not an intrinsic property.
### Related Words & Concepts
The concept of ἀθανασία is deeply interconnected with several other significant biblical terms:
* **θάνατος (thánatos, `{{G2288}}`)**: As its direct antonym, "death," it highlights the radical nature of immortality as the complete antithesis to the human experience of finitude and decay.
* **ἀφθαρσία (aphtharsía, `{{G861}}`)**: Meaning "incorruptibility" or "imperishability." In [[1 Corinthians 15:53-54]], ἀθανασία is paired with ἀφθαρσία, suggesting a close semantic relationship. While ἀθανασία emphasizes freedom from death, ἀφθαρσία stresses freedom from decay and corruption, both qualities characterizing the resurrected body.
* **ζωή αἰώνιος (zōē aiōnios, `{{G166}}` + `{{G165}}`)**: "Eternal life." While not synonymous, immortality is a fundamental characteristic of eternal life. Eternal life speaks to the quality and duration of existence in fellowship with God, of which deathlessness is a key component.
* **ἀνάστασις (anástasis, `{{G386}}`)**: "Resurrection." The resurrection of the body is the means by which believers transition from a mortal to an immortal state, receiving the gift of ἀθανασία.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of ἀθανασία is profound and multi-faceted:
1. **Divine Attribute:** Primarily, ἀθανασία is an inherent, exclusive attribute of God alone ([[1 Timothy 6:16]]). This underscores His sovereignty, self-existence, and eternal nature as the ultimate source of all life. He is not subject to the limitations of time or decay.
2. **Eschatological Hope for Believers:** While humans are inherently mortal due to the fall, immortality is presented as a future, supernatural gift bestowed upon believers at the resurrection ([[1 Corinthians 15:53-54]]). It signifies the complete victory over the power of sin and death, which entered the world through Adam.
3. **Nature of the Resurrected Body:** Immortality describes the transformed, glorified body of believers, which will be free from decay, weakness, and the threat of death. This transformation is a central aspect of Christian hope and the culmination of God's redemptive plan.
4. **Assurance of Eternal Fellowship:** The promise of immortality assures believers of an unending, unbroken fellowship with God in the new heavens and new earth, free from the sorrow and separation caused by death.
### Summary
The Greek word ἀθανασία (athanasía, `{{G110}}`) signifies "deathlessness" or "immortality," derived from the negation of "death." Biblically, it holds dual significance: it is an exclusive, inherent attribute of God ([[1 Timothy 6:16]]), highlighting His eternal and self-existent nature. Simultaneously, it represents a future, divinely bestowed state for resurrected believers ([[1 Corinthians 15:53-54]]), signifying their ultimate victory over death and the transformation of their mortal bodies into imperishable ones. This concept is central to Christian eschatology, offering profound hope for an unending, incorruptible existence in fellowship with God.
TRV