Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and Nature:Mortality refers to the state of being subject to death. In the biblical context, it encompasses the human condition of being finite and the inevitability of physical death as a consequence of sin. Mortality is a central theme in Scripture, highlighting the transient nature of human life and the contrast between the temporal and the eternal.
Biblical Origin:The concept of mortality is introduced in the early chapters of Genesis. God created man in His own image, intending for humanity to live in communion with Him. However, mortality entered the human experience through the disobedience of Adam and Eve.
Genesis 2:17 records God's warning: "but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for in the day that you eat of it, you will surely die." This death was both spiritual and physical, marking the beginning of human mortality.
The Fall and Its Consequences:The fall of man, as described in
Genesis 3, brought sin into the world, and with it, death.
Romans 5:12 states, "Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, so also death was passed on to all men, because all sinned." This passage underscores the universality of mortality as a result of sin, affecting all of humanity.
Human Life and Its Brevity:Scripture frequently reflects on the brevity and fragility of human life.
Psalm 90:10 observes, "The length of our days is seventy years—or eighty if we are strong—yet their pride is but labor and sorrow, for they quickly pass, and we fly away."
James 4:14 further emphasizes this by comparing life to a mist: "You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes."
The Hope of Resurrection:Despite the reality of mortality, the Bible offers hope through the promise of resurrection and eternal life. Jesus Christ's victory over death is central to Christian belief. In
John 11:25-26 , Jesus declares, "I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in Me will live, even though he dies. And everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die." This assurance of eternal life through faith in Christ provides comfort and hope to believers facing the reality of mortality.
The Transformation of Mortality:The Apostle Paul speaks of the transformation that will occur at the resurrection. In
1 Corinthians 15:53-54 , he writes, "For the perishable must be clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come to pass: 'Death has been swallowed up in victory.'"
Living in Light of Mortality:The awareness of mortality calls believers to live wisely and purposefully.
Psalm 90:12 prays, "Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom." This perspective encourages a life of faithfulness, stewardship, and readiness for the life to come.
Eternal Perspective:While mortality is a present reality, the Bible encourages believers to maintain an eternal perspective.
Colossians 3:2 advises, "Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things." This focus on the eternal helps Christians navigate the challenges of mortal life with hope and assurance in God's promises.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) The condition or quality of being mortal; subjection to death or to the necessity of dying.
2. (n.) Human life; the life of a mortal being.
3. (n.) Those who are, or that which is, mortal; the human race; humanity; human nature.
4. (n.) Death; destruction.
5. (n.) The whole sum or number of deaths in a given time or a given community; also, the proportion of deaths to population, or to a specific number of the population; death rate; as, a time of great, or low, mortality; the mortality among the settlers was alarming.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
MORTAL; MORTALITYmor'-tal, mor-tal'-i-ti (thnetos to thneton): The meaning is "subject to death" (Romans 6:12;Romans 8:111 Corinthians 15:53, 54; in2 Corinthians 5:4 the Revised Version (British and American) has "what is mortal"). InJob 4:17, the Hebrew word is 'enosh, "mortal man."
SeeIMMORTAL.
Greek
2349. thnetos -- subject to death... Word Origin from thnesko Definition subject to death NASB Word Usage mortal (6).
mortality. From thnesko; liable to die -- mortal(-ity). see GREEK thnesko.
...Library
Mortality.
...MORTALITY. In plant, animal, and spiritual lifemortality is greatest in infancy.
The plant in the first few days of its existence is very tender and delicate....
Treatise vii. On theMortality.
... Treatise VII. On theMortality. Argument."The Deacon Pontius in a Few Words
Unfolds the Burthen of This Treatise in His Life of Cyprian....
And Again Paul Says: "ThatMortality Might be Swallowed up of Life...
... Section XXI. And again Paul says: "Thatmortality might be swallowed up of life.?
And again Paul says: "Thatmortality might be swallowed up of life....
Psalm 89 Part 6Mortality and Hope. A Funeral Psalm.
... THE PSALMS OF DAVID PSALM 89 PART 6Mortality and hope. A funeral psalm. v.47ff
LM.Mortality and hope. A funeral psalm. Remember, Lord, our mortal state,....
Psalm 90 Part 2 Infirmities andMortality the Effect of Sin.
... THE PSALMS OF DAVID PSALM 90 PART 2 Infirmities andmortality the effect of
sin. v.8-12 CM. Infirmities andmortality the effect of sin....
Psalm 89:7. 47 &C. Sixth Part.Mortality and Hope. A Funeral Psalm...
... Psalm 89:7. 47 &c. Sixth Part.Mortality and hope. A funeral psalm. 1 Remember,
Lord, our mortal state, How frail our life, how short the date!...
Cyprian's Treatise "On theMortality. "
... A Treatise on the predestination of the saints, Chapter 28."Cyprian's Treatise
"On theMortality.".... Footnotes: [3507] Cyprian, On theMortality, as above....
Psalm 102 Part 3 Man'sMortality, and Christ's Eternity.
... THE PSALMS OF DAVID PSALM 102 PART 3 Man'smortality, and Christ's eternity.
v.23-28 LM. Man'smortality, and Christ's eternity....
The Doctrine of Apelles Refuted, that Christ's Body was of...
... Substance, Not Born. Nativity andMortality are Correlative Circumstances,
and in Christ's Case His Death Proves His Birth. But certain...
There was no Other More Suitable Way of Freeing Man from the...
... Book XIII. Chapter 10."There Was No Other More Suitable Way of Freeing Man from
the Misery ofMortality Than The Incarnation of the Word....
Thesaurus
Mortality (3 Occurrences)... also, the proportion of deaths to population, or to a specific number of the population;
death rate; as, a time of great, or low,
mortality; the
mortality...Imperishable (11 Occurrences)
... 1 Corinthians 15:53 For so it must be: this perishable nature must clothe itself
with what is imperishable, and thismortality must clothe itself with...
Perishable (9 Occurrences)
... 1 Corinthians 15:53 For so it must be: this perishable nature must clothe itself
with what is imperishable, and thismortality must clothe itself with...
Mortal (35 Occurrences)
... mortal hours. 8. (n.) A being subject to death; a human being; man. Int. Standard
Bible Encyclopedia. MORTAL;MORTALITY. mor'-tal, mor...
Mortally (17 Occurrences)
Nature (80 Occurrences)
... 1 Corinthians 15:53 For so it must be: this perishable nature must clothe itself
with what is imperishable, and thismortality must clothe itself with...
Kibroth-hattaavah (5 Occurrences)
... they loathed the food which they had desired; it bred disease in them; the divine
anger aggravated the disease into a plague, and a heavymortality was the...
Kibrothhattaavah (5 Occurrences)
... they loathed the food which they had desired; it bred disease in them; the divine
anger aggravated the disease into a plague, and a heavymortality was the...
Longevity
... I have never seen anyone among them who could prove that he was 80 years
of age; the rate of infantmortality is appallingly high....
Flux (26 Occurrences)
... of Medicine, II, 841). It is also prevalent in Palestine at certain seasons,
and in Egypt itsmortality was formerly about 36 percent....
Resources
What is the biblical view of mortality? | GotQuestions.orgMortality and Eternity ' Article Index | GotQuestions.orgHow can I overcome the fear of death? How can I stop being scared of dying? | GotQuestions.orgMortality: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
Bible Thesuarus
