Are everlasting life and eternal life one and the same?

[RB]

http://www.gracecentered.com/christian_forums/catholic-forum/jesus'-flesh-blood/msg1055162196/?topicseen#msg1055162196

Any comments from anyone?

[4WD]

The word "everlasting" doesn't even appear in many, perhaps most, of the better English translations.  The English words "everlasting" and "eternal" are translations from the same Greek word. One could possibly impose a very fine distinction between the two English words, but it is not clear that the writers of the NT ever actually make such a distinction.

[Rella]

Mr RB

Just the teeniest comment by reposting a comment I made elsewhere.

Simply for clarity's sake. I believe that most lay people would say that the two words mean the same and are interchangable.

  Merriam Webster defines this way:

eter·​nal | \ i-ˈtər-nᵊl  \

Definition of eternal (Entry 1 of 2)

1a: having infinite duration : EVERLASTING
//eternal damnation


Definition of everlasting (Entry 2 of 2)
1: ETERNITY
// from everlasting

Please do not get me wrong. I am not challenging you or anyone who posts on what they say.

I simply wanted to say that I consider the two words to carry the same meanings. 

By your leave.

[RB]

The word "everlasting" doesn't even appear in many, perhaps most, of the better English translations.  The English words "everlasting" and "eternal" are translations from the same Greek word. One could possibly impose a very fine distinction between the two English words, but it is not clear that the writers of the NT ever actually make such a distinction.

Agreed with both you and "Miss" Rella. 

[winsome]

Mr RB

Just the teeniest comment by reposting a comment I made elsewhere.

Simply for clarity's sake. I believe that most lay people would say that the two words mean the same and are interchangable.

  Merriam Webster defines this way:

eter·​nal | \ i-ˈtər-nᵊl  \

Definition of eternal (Entry 1 of 2)

1a: having infinite duration : EVERLASTING
//eternal damnation


Definition of everlasting (Entry 2 of 2)
1: ETERNITY
// from everlasting

Please do not get me wrong. I am not challenging you or anyone who posts on what they say.

I simply wanted to say that I consider the two words to carry the same meanings. 

By your leave.

You have omitted some of the Merriam-Webster definition.   
Definition of eternal (Entry 1 of 2)
1a : having infinite duration : everlasting eternal damnation
b : of or relating to eternity
c : characterized by abiding fellowship with God good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life? — Mark 10:17 (Revised Standard Version). 
Note c: which is what I have been saying.

But also note b: of or relating to eternity. 
We also have to note that we are talking theology here and secular dictionaries do not necessarily give theolgical understandings of a word.

I maintain that eternity is without beginning or end. So, yes it incorporates everlasting and may be used loosely as a synonym in everyday language. But strictly it is not.   
Here are definitions for a Catholic dictionary:
ETERNITY
Definition
In its full sense, duration of being without beginning, succession, or ending. Only God possesses the fullness of eternity, since only he always existed (no beginning), has no succession (no change), and will never end (no cessation). It is defined Catholic doctrine that God possesses the divine Being in a constant undivided now. His eternity is the perfect and simultaneous total possession of interminable life

Rational creatures share in God's eternity, but only approximate it, by participation. Angels have a beginning, and they have a succession of past, present, and future, but they have no cessation since they are pure spirits that will never die or cease to be. Human beings likewise have a beginning and they have succession, but unlike the angels they will die in body, to be later resurrected, while the souls live on forever. In God's absolute power, however, angels and human souls could be deprived of existence. Their eternity depends on the goodness and will of God.

And the definition of Eternal Life

ETERNAL LIFE
Definition
The term used by Christ to describe the state of endless happiness enjoyed by the just in heaven (Matthew 25:46; Mark 9:44; Luke 18:30; John 3, 4, 5, 6, 10, 12). It means not only everlasting duration but also fullness of life, which the believer possesses already here and now through participation in the life of God.

Which is all consistent with what I have been saying.

[Michael2012]

..

[NyawehNyoh]

.
Of one thing we can be sure: Eternal Life and Immortality are not synonymous because according to John 5:26 and 1John 1:1-2, the Lord had eternal life but it didn't prevent his death on the cross.

And according to John 6:54, the apostles had eternal life too, but it didn't prevent their deaths either. They're all gone.

Eternal life and Immortality are juxtaposed in 2Tim 1:10; where the terms are connected with a conjunction. They aren't connected with a verb, so that you can't say eternal life is immortality; no, eternal life and immortality are two distinctly different subjects.

In addition, according to John 5:24 and John 6:54, eternal life can be obtained now before people pass on, whereas according to 1Cor 15:51-53, they obtain immortality later.
_