Note 19 at 2 Tim. 1:10: The Greek word "KATARGEO" which was translated "abolished" in this verse, means "to be (render) entirely idle (useless), literally or figuratively" (Strong). If Christ rendered death useless or abolished death, then why do those who put their faith in Jesus die? The answer is that they don't.

The death that occurred in Adam and Eve when they ate of the forbidden fruit wasn't physical death, but spiritual death. That can be seen by God saying they would die in the very day they ate of that fruit (Gen. 2:17). They didn't die physically that day. Adam lived another 930 years (Gen. 5:5), but they did die spiritually at that exact moment.

The minute they ate of the forbidden fruit, they were separated from God spiritually (see note 9 at Col. 3:3, p. 1206). Their spirits died, not their physical bodies. The process of physical death was set in motion at that moment, but actual physical death came many years later.

The real issue is spiritual life. Physical death came to mankind only because they had lost their spiritual life. Jesus has returned spiritual life to us, and there is coming a day when the physical death, which results from sin, will also be banished.

Note 20 at 2 Tim. 1:10: Life is a present tense possession of every born again (see note 2 at Jn. 3:3, p. 92) believer. This life is not just physical existence, but life as God has it or life in the absolute sense (see note 6 at Jn. 10:10, p. 301). Immortality has been purchased for every believer and will become our possession at the second appearing of Christ. We will receive glorified bodies that will not be subject to death (see ref. h at this v.).

Note 21 at 2 Tim. 1:10: "Immortality" is a translation from the Greek noun "APHTHARSIA" and means "incorruptibility, unending existence, deathlessness and imperishable." It is translated "immortality" in Romans 2:7 and 2 Timothy 1:10. In 1 Corinthians 15:42, 50, 53-54, it is translated "incorruption." The dictionary defines it as "not subject to death."

God is immortal and through our union with Him, we have already experienced immortality in our spirits, and will experience it in our physical bodies at the second coming of Christ (1 Cor. 15:42; 50; 52-54).