Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and Nature: The term "mortal" refers to that which is subject to death. In the biblical context, it often pertains to human beings, who, unlike God, are finite and subject to physical death. Mortality is a fundamental aspect of human existence post-Fall, as described in the Scriptures.
Biblical Context: The concept of mortality is introduced in the early chapters of Genesis. When God created Adam and Eve, they were placed in the Garden of Eden with access to the Tree of Life, suggesting the potential for eternal life. However, with the introduction of sin through disobedience, mortality became a reality for humanity.
Genesis 3:19 states, "By the sweat of your brow you will eat your bread, until you return to the ground, because out of it you were taken; for dust you are, and to dust you shall return."
Theological Significance: Mortality is a direct consequence of sin.
Romans 5:12 explains, "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 highlights the universal nature of mortality as a result of the Fall. The mortality of humans underscores the need for redemption and the hope of eternal life through Jesus Christ.
Human Mortality and Divine Immortality: The Bible contrasts human mortality with God's immortality.
1 Timothy 6:16 describes God as "the only One who is immortal and who dwells in unapproachable light." This distinction emphasizes the transient nature of human life compared to the eternal nature of God.
Hope Beyond Mortality: Despite the reality of mortality, the Bible offers hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
1 Corinthians 15:53-54 declares, "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.'" This passage assures believers of the promise of eternal life and victory over death through Christ.
Practical Implications: Understanding human mortality encourages a life of humility and dependence on God.
Psalm 90:12 prays, "Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom." Recognizing the brevity of life can lead to a more intentional and God-centered way of living, focusing on eternal values rather than temporal pursuits.
Conclusion: While mortality is an inherent part of human existence due to sin, the Bible provides a narrative of hope and redemption. Through faith in Jesus Christ, believers are promised a future where mortality is replaced with immortality, and death is ultimately defeated.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
a.) Subject to death; destined to die; as, man is mortal.
2. (a.) Destructive to life; causing or occasioning death; terminating life; exposing to or deserving death; deadly; as, a mortal wound; a mortal sin.
3. (a.) Fatally vulnerable; vital.
4. (a.) of or pertaining to the time of death.
5. (a.) Affecting as if with power to kill; deathly.
6. (a.) Human; belonging to man, who is mortal; as, mortal wit or knowledge; mortal power.
7. (a.) Very painful or tedious; wearisome; as, a sermon lasting two mortal hours.
8. (n.) A being subject to death; a human being; man.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
MORTAL; MORTALITYmor'-tal, mor-tal'-i-ti (thnetos to thneton): The meaning is "subject to death" (Romans 6:12; Romans 8:11 1 Corinthians 15:53, 54; in 2 Corinthians 5:4 the Revised Version (British and American) has "what is mortal"). In Job 4:17, the Hebrew word is 'enosh, "mortal man."
See IMMORTAL.
Greek
2349. thnetos -- subject to death ... subject to death. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: thnetos Phonetic Spelling:
(thnay-tos') Short Definition:
mortal Definition:
mortal, subject to
... 2286. thanasimos -- deadly
... deadly. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: thanasimos Phonetic Spelling:
(than-as'-ee-mos) Short Definition: deadly, mortal Definition: deadly, mortal ...
1659. eleutheroo -- to make free, fig. to exempt (from liability)
... deliver, make free. From eleutheros; to liberate, ie (figuratively) to exempt (from
moral, ceremonial or mortal liability) -- deliver, make free. ...
599. apothnesko -- to die
... Origin from apo and thnesko Definition to die NASB Word Usage dead (5), death (1),
death* (1), die (34), died (53), dies (12), dying (4), mortal (1), perished ...
3498. nekros -- dead
... Transliteration: nekros Phonetic Spelling: (nek-ros') Short Definition: dead, a
corpse Definition: (a) adj: dead, lifeless, subject to death, mortal, (b) noun ...
Strong's Hebrew
582. enosh -- man, mankind... an unused word Definition man, mankind NASB Word Usage advisers* (2), friends*
(1), life (1), man (26), man's (4), mankind (1), men (6),
mortal (1),
mortal man
... 4463. mamoth -- death
... death. From muwth; a mortal disease; concretely, a corpse -- death. see HEBREW
muwth. 4462, 4463. mamoth. 4464 . Strong's Numbers.
120. adam -- man, mankind
... infantry (1), low degree* (1), low* (1), man (363), man's (20), man* (1), mankind
(9), men (104), men of low degree* (1), men's (3), men* (4), mortal (1), one ...
1121. ben -- son
... lambs* (2), lay (4), Levites* (1), low degree* (1), low* (1), man (5), man one old
(1), man* (1), men (19), men of low degree* (1), men* (4), mortal (1), must ...
Library
Whether it is a Mortal Sin for a Man to have Knowledge of his Wife ...
... GOODS* (SIX ARTICLES) [*"Bona matrimonii," variously rendered marriage goods, marriage
blessings, and advantages of marriage.] Whether it is a mortal sin for a ...
Whether it is Always a Mortal Sin to Communicate with an ...
... OF COMMUNICATION WITH EXCOMMUNICATED PERSONS (THREE ARTICLES) Whether it is always
a mortal sin to communicate with an excommunicated person in other cases ...
Whether Boasting is a Mortal Sin?
... OF BOASTING (TWO ARTICLES) Whether boasting is a mortal sin? Objection 1: It seems
that boasting is a mortal sin. ... Therefore boasting is a mortal sin. ...
Whether Sloth is a Mortal Sin?
... OF SLOTH (FOUR ARTICLES) Whether sloth is a mortal sin? Objection 1: It would seem
that sloth is not a mortal sin. ... Therefore sloth is not a mortal sin. ...
Whether Scandal is a Mortal Sin?
... OF SCANDAL (EIGHT ARTICLES) Whether scandal is a mortal sin? Objection
1: It would seem that scandal is a mortal sin. For every ...
Whether it is a Mortal Sin to have Intercourse with a Concubine?
... OF PLURALITY OF WIVES (FIVE ARTICLES) Whether it is a mortal sin to have
intercourse with a concubine? Objection 1: It would seem ...
Whether Disobedience is a Mortal Sin?
... OF DISOBEDIENCE (TWO ARTICLES) Whether disobedience is a mortal sin? Objection
1: It seems that disobedience is not a mortal sin. ...
Whether Fear is a Mortal Sin?
... Otherwise 'cowardice' would be a better rendering.] Whether fear is a mortal
sin? Objection 1: It seems that fear is not a mortal sin. ...
Whether the Forgiveness of Mortal Sin is an Effect of this ...
... OF THE EFFECTS OF THIS SACRAMENT (EIGHT ARTICLES) Whether the forgiveness
of mortal sin is an effect of this sacrament? Objection ...
Whether Drunkenness is a Mortal Sin?
... OF DRUNKENNESS (FOUR ARTICLES) Whether drunkenness is a mortal sin? Objection
1: It would seem that drunkenness is not a mortal sin. ...
Thesaurus
Mortal (35 Occurrences)... 1. (a.) Subject to death; destined to die; as, man is
mortal.
... 6. (a.) Human; belonging
to man, who is
mortal; as,
mortal wit or knowledge;
mortal power.
...Mortality (3 Occurrences)
... 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. ...
Deadly (31 Occurrences)
... 1. (a.) Capable of causing death; mortal; fatal; destructive; certain or likely
to cause death; as, a deadly blow or wound. ... 3. (a.) Subject to death; mortal. ...
Mortally (17 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (adv.) In a mortal manner; so as to cause death; as,
mortally wounded. 2. (adv.) In the manner of a mortal or of mortal beings. ...
Bodies (144 Occurrences)
... (BBE). Romans 6:12 Let not Sin therefore reign as king in your mortal bodies,
causing you to be in subjection to their cravings; (WEY RSV). ...
Clothed (153 Occurrences)
... In all probability Paul thinks of a certain envelopment of his physical mortal body
even in this life ("in this we groan," ie in this present body), hence, the ...
Incorruption (6 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV ASV WBS YLT). 1 Corinthians 15:53 For this corruptible must put on
incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. (WEB KJV ASV WBS YLT). ...
Incorruptibility (7 Occurrences)
... incorruptibility. (DBY). 1 Corinthians 15:53 For this corruptible must needs put
on incorruptibility, and this mortal put on immortality. (DBY). ...
Enosh (8 Occurrences)
... e'-nos, e'-nosh ('enosh, "mortal"; 'Enos): In the New Testament (the Revised Version
(British and American) and the King James Version) and the Old Testament ...
Enos (7 Occurrences)
... e'-nos, e'-nosh ('enosh, "mortal"; 'Enos): In the New Testament (the Revised Version
(British and American) and the King James Version) and the Old Testament ...
Resources
Does the Bible teach mortal and venial sin? | GotQuestions.orgIs the human soul mortal or immortal? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is deductive Bible study? | GotQuestions.orgMortal: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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