ISSN: 2583-1011

Ensygloge Vol.:1, Issue:2; July-December, 2021

An International Journal for Arts and Science Article No.: V1N2003
www.ensygloge.com

JESUS AS THE GIVER OF

ΖΩΉ ΑΙΏΝΙΌΣ
Tosh Thomas
BA Philosophy
E-Mail: toshthomas96@gmail.com

Abstract: Life is a major theme in the Gospel of John. The programmatic text (Jn. 20:30-31) pronounces the chief motive of the
gospel as to “have life in His name”. The Greek term ζωή αιώνιός, meaning ‘ETERNAL LIFE’ occurs seventeen times in the gospel.
It is the rendering of Hebrew term, ‫( ַחַ יֵי עוֺ לם‬a period without definite beginning or end). Ζωή doesn’t refer to natural life (yuch,)
which has death as end. John uses this imagery in reference to the life that a believer gains by believing in Jesus. The importance of
‘life’ is evident from the fact that it is mentioned both in the beginning (Jn. 1:4) and the end (Jn. 20:31) and so forms an inclusion
for the whole gospel. Eternal life is a partaking in the life of God. The only qualification that goes with ζωή in the gospel is αιώνιός,
usually translated as ‘eternal’. But even in places where he uses life without the adjective αιώνιός, he means the same as eternal
life. Αιώνιός in the gospel, indicates not only an infinite duration in the temporal sense, but also a qualitatively new life which even
death cannot destroy. This academic paper is an attempt to study Jesus as the giver of eternal life.

Key Words:Life, Jesus the Life Giver, Eternal Life, Life in the Gospel of St John

1. Introduction 2. Father as the Author of Life

Life is a major theme in the Gospel of John. The God, the Father possesses life in its fullness. This
programmatic text (Jn. 20:30-31) pronounces the chief defines the innermost essence of His Being. It is He who
motive of the gospel as to “have life in His name”. The sends His only begotten Son to give them eternal life by
Greek term ζωή αιώνιός, meaning ‘ETERNAL LIFE’ his being “lifted up” on the Cross (Jn. 3:15-17). The God
occurs seventeen times in the gospel. It is the rendering of who possesses eternal life is the transcendental Father who
Hebrew term,‫(ַחַ יֵי עוֺ לָם‬a period without definite beginning remains invisible and unapproachable (Jn. 1:18). For the
or end). Ζωή doesn’t refer to natural life (yuch,) which Evangelist, Father stands behind the plan of salvation that
has death as end. John uses this imagery in reference to the is revealed by the Son. The Father has set His seal on the
life that a believer gains by believing in Jesus. The Son (Jn. 6:27) thus, confirming the work of the Son who
importance of ‘life’ is evident from the fact that it is gives eternal life. Father is the author of eternal life, who
mentioned both in the beginning (Jn. 1:4) and the end (Jn. not only initiates the Son’s activity in the world but also
20:31) and so forms an inclusion for the whole gospel. remains present in all that the Son does (Jn. 14:10-11).
Eternal life is a partaking in the life of God. The only
qualification that goes with ζωή in the gospel is αιώνιός, 3. Authority of the Son
usually translated as ‘eternal’. But even in places where he
Though the Jews often referred to God as Father
uses life without the adjective αιώνιός, he means the same
(Jn. 8:41), Jesus claims a unique and exclusive relationship
as eternal life. Αιώνιός in the gospel, indicates not only an
with God as His own Father (πατέρα ίδιον – Jn. 5:18) since
infinite duration in the temporal sense, but also a
eternity. Such a relationship presupposes an equality with
qualitatively new life which even death cannot destroy.
God. Therefore, the Son too possessed life as the Father.

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 ISSN: 2583-1011
Ensygloge Vol.:1, Issue:2; July-December, 2021
An International Journal for Arts and Science Article No.: V1N2003
www.ensygloge.com

The Prologue presents the Logos as the source 20:31). Those who refuse to believe prefer darkness over
of life. (Jn. 1:4). Jesus shares the divine prerogatives of light (Jn. 3:18-21). As Jesus Himself fulfils the will of the
giving life and executing judgement to the humankind (Jn. Father, so also, the believer must fulfil the will of God by
5:26-27). His authority over life is evident in the raising of obeying the commandments (εντολή) (Jn. 6:39-40, 12:29,
Lazarus (Jn. 11). The words of Jesus contain eternal life 14:24). This shows a concomitance between faith and
(ρήματα ζωής αιωνίου – Jn.6:68). The evangelist portrays obedience. By obeying the commandments, one abides in
the self-revelation of Jesus as, “I am (εγώειμι) the God’s love and thus, receives Trinitarian indwelling in him
resurrection (ανάστασις) and the life (ζωή)” (Jn. 11:25). To (Jn. 14:21). If Jesus is the manifestation and the giver of
Thomas, He says, “I am the way, the truth and the life” (Jn. this divine eternal life, then humans must respond to it by
14:6). The verse continues to convey that Jesus is the only believing (πιστεύειν – Jn. 3:16, 6:40, 20:31), following
way to the Father, the source of eternal life (ουδείςέρχεται (ακολουθειν – Jn. 8:12) and dying to self (αποθνήσκειν –
προςτον πατέρα ειμηδι΄ εμού). Jn. 12:24-25).

4. Gift of Life and Holy Spirit 6. Realized eschatology

The fourth gospel presents Jesus as the bearer of In John, eschatological fulfilment of eternal life is
the Holy Spirit (πνεύμάάγιον). Jesus is anointed with the a present possession. While the Synoptics point towards a
Holy Spirit (Jn. 1:32-33). The servant of God in the Old future Kingdom of God, John present eternal life as
Testament is filled with the Spirit (Is. 42:1). The baptismal already fulfilled in the believer. “Out of the believer’s
scene confirms this by the action of descending heart shall flow rivers of living water” (Jn. 7:38). The one
(καταβαίνον) and remaining (μενειν) of the Holy Spirit. He who believes in Jesus has already passed from death
promised to send the Spirit to guide and instruct the (θανάτος) and is free from judgement (κρίσις) (Jn. 3:18,
disciples (Jn. 14:15-17, 25-26; 15:26; 16:7). He fulfilled 5:24). Thus, the one who believes, shall live. To the
this in the post-resurrection encountering when He believers, Jesus has already given the glory (δόξα) that He
breathed upon them saying, "Receive the Holy Spirit” (Jn. had since eternity (Jn. 17:24). Hence, for John, faith in
20:22). Thus, Jesus the giver of life is also the giver of Christ realizes the eschatological hope in a person.
Holy Spirit. In His conversation with Nicodemus (Jn. 3:5-
8), Jesus talks about birth from above (άνωθεν) as an 7. Conclusion
activity of the Holy Spirit (πνεύμά). Just as natural life
The theme of eternal life is marked by the
relates to breath (Gen. 2:7), eternal life relates to the breath
centrality of Jesus Christ. The Son of God became man so
of the Holy Spirit. In the end of Eucharistic discourse,
that He may give life in abundance (Jn. 10:10). This
Jesus says, “It is the Spirit that gives life” (Jn. 6:63). The
eternal life is communicated to the believers through his
Father and the Son have equally important roles in sending
own death. By receiving Jesus, man has life and
the Spirit (Jn. 14:16 and 15:26). The giving of the Spirit
communion with the Father. The Father Himself is the
lays foundation for the new community of the believers.
source of eternal life, but He has sent his own Son into the
Thus, eternal life given by Jesus, is a life in the Spirit.
world to give life to all who believe in Him by the power
of the Holy Spirit. Hence, the one who possess the Son,
5. Faith in the Son leads to eternal life
possesses eternal life. This is clear in the Epistle of John,
The divine life of the Word (λόγος) was the light “God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.
of the people (φωςτων ανθρώπων – Jn. 1:4). The gospel Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the
invites the readers to believe in the One whom God has Son of God does not have life” (1 Jn. 5:11-12).
sent as a means to attain eternal life (Jn. 1:12, 3:16, 6:29,
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 ISSN: 2583-1011
Ensygloge Vol.:1, Issue:2; July-December, 2021
An International Journal for Arts and Science Article No.: V1N2003
www.ensygloge.com

8. Bibliography MLAKUZHIYIL G., Abundant life in the Gospel of John

(Delhi: ISPCK, 2007).
BROWN R., The Gospel according to John (The Anchor
PINTO E., Jesus the Son and Giver of Life in the Fourth
Bible) (New York: Doubleday, 1966).
Gospel (Rome: PontificiaUniversitasUrbaniana,
GERARD K. (ed.), Theological Dictionary of the New
1981).
Testament, Vol. II (Michigan: WM. B. Eerdmans
Publishing Company, 1983).

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