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NASB | Titus 1:2 in the hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised long ages ago, |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Titus 1:2 based on the hope and divine guarantee of eternal life, [the life] which God, who is ever truthful and without deceit, promised before the ages of time began, |
Bible Question:
Titus 1v1-2 tells us that Paul is a "servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ...in hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began". (AV). NASB renders "promised long ages ago" but I don't know that that is a very accurate rendering although it probably does give the thought! In v2 we learn that eternal life is a Prospect "in hope of", we also learn that it was Promised; then in v3 we learn that it was Preached by the apostle Paul. My question is - When/how/where did God PROMISE "eternal life...before the world began"? Does this just relate to His eternal purpose or is there a written promise in Scripture? Thanks David |
Bible Answer: Greetings DWilliamson, John 3:36 "He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not obey the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him." Everlasting or eternal life is not only a future hope but the present possession of everyone who believes in Christ (see also John 6:47). This life is the life of God revealed in Jesus Christ, who is God. This life of God is imparted in a new birth to every believer in Jesus Christ (John 3:3-15). Therefore, this life that is imparted to us is still "that which was from the beginning" (1 John 1:1; 2 Thess 2:13), but we are the new creation (2 Cor. 5:17; Gal. 6:15). This life of God which is in every believer is an unsevered part of the life which eternally was and is in Christ Jesus. He is the Vine and we are the branches; He is the Head and we are the members (see John 15:1-5; 1 Cor. 6:17, 12:12-14; Gal. 2:20; Col. 1:27, 3:3-4; 1 John 5:11-12). We are one in the eternal life of God, together with Christ and each other! This eternal life is in Christ, who was before the world began (John 17:5) and is through Christ alone - this is the promise of eternal life to us before the world began. Blessings to you, Makarios |