IMMORTALITY

I read in `1 Tim. 6:16`, that the Apostle Paul speaking of God says--"Who only hath immortality." In the same chapter, `19th verse`, the brethren are exhorted to good works, "that they may lay hold on eternal life." And the only place I find the word "immortal" is in `1 Tim. 1:17`, which also refers to God, and in `Rom. 6:23`, the Apostle says--"The wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." Then again `Rom. 2:6,7`, shows that the gift has to be sought for--"By patient continuance in well-doing." Therefore if immortality or eternal life is the gift of God as a reward to those who faithfully fulfill His desires, from whence is the authority derived by those who teach that man is now in possession of immortal life?

<ANSWER>--This is a question that is frequently asked these days by those who are not content to accept a mere assertion without a "thus saith the Lord." There is but one statement to be found in the Scriptures which could be construed as teaching that man was in any sense immortal; that he would not and that he could not die. This is found in the `third chapter of Genesis, the fourth verse`. However, we suggest that before any one accepts this as due authority they read the passage and note carefully who it was that made the statement!