Double Trouble

[Van]

One of the chronic problems with gaining an accurate understanding of God's word, based on reading and even studying an English Translation is dealing with original language words with two or more meanings. Sometimes the translators choose the correct contextual meaning, but sometimes they choose the wrong one, or more often they choose an ambiguous word that could convey more than one meaning.

I have posted concerning words like sanctify (make holy or set apart) and baptism (water or spiritual) in prior threads. Today I wish to consider the concept of "death." When we see references to "death" we must ask ourselves, "does this refer to physical death, spiritual death or both?

First we must deal with the concept, end of existence, such as the end of physical life, or separation from God due to unholiness. When we were "dead in our trespasses" we were physically alive, but spiritually dead, meaning separated from God.

Our next question deals with just when did "death" enter mankind?

Romans 5:12 NASB
Therefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all mankind, because all sinned—​

Here we see that when Adam volitionally sinned, death entered mankind. Since Adam and Eve did not physically die that day, they died "spiritually." Meaning they were separated from God, illustrated by being kicked out of the Garden of Eden, and prevented from ever reentering of their own accord. Paul also writes that as a result of Adam's sin, all of humanity were "made sinners." (Romans 5:19)

But that still leaves us pondering when did physical death enter the world. Some claim physical death did not beginning in the world (referring to all life forms) until after Adam sinned. I believe that is a mistaken view.

If we look at the Genesis 1 account we see plants and animals were created to procreate "after their kind." There would be no need unless either mortality existed or was anticipated. In Genesis 1:11, on day 3 of creation, plants were created with the ability to re-create their kind, through their "seed."

In Genesis 1:22 we that animal life were created with the ability to multiply before Adam had sinned.

Lastly let us consider the "Second Death" which results in the destruction of not only the body but also the soul in Gehenna.

 

[Stopgap]

I understand Adam's sin as the reason why mankind experiences physical death. While one can make the case for spiritual death as the intended consequence, I do believe that God's promise that he would surely die if he ate from the tree came to fruition after 930 years, as recorded in Genesis 5:5.

As a side note, I believe the NASB does the best job overall at translating Greek words consistently, but of course it is not perfect and should be subject to further examination when the need arises.

 

[Van]

I understand Adam's sin as the reason why mankind experiences physical death. While one can make the case for spiritual death as the intended consequence, I do believe that God's promise that he would surely die if he ate from the tree came to fruition after 930 years, as recorded in Genesis 5:5.

As a side note, I believe the NASB does the best job overall at translating Greek words consistently, but of course it is not perfect and should be subject to further examination when the need arises.

I think your view is correct. As long as Adam was located within the Garden, in communion with God, we have no solid evidence he would die. However, we do have have solid evidence God anticipated his fall and physical death, because he was created (once given Eve) with the capacity to procreate. Something those with everlasting life do not do.

Certainly physical death existed before the fall, as Adam ate plants. Similarly, animal life had the capacity to procreate, thus probably experienced death. But again, this is a reasonable assumption, but NOT clearly taught in scripture.

But God provided plants that were "good for food" and livestock, animals used for feed such as sheep.

 

[Stopgap]

My old pastor was a math and science teacher and an advocate of old-earth creation and essentially proposed that there was a large gap of time between Genesis 2 and 3. He believed that Adam and Eve lived in the garden in an immortal, sinless state for thousands of years before eating from the tree, after which inevitably resulted in Adam's physical death 930 years later.