Page:Studies in the Scriptures - Series I - The Plan of the Ages (1909).djvu/191

 *' Mortality^ signifies a state or condition of liability to death ; not a condition of death, but a condition in which death is a' possibility.

"Immortality" signifies a state or condition not liable to death; not merely a condition of freedom from death, but a. condition in which death is an impossibility*

The common but erroneous idea of mortality is, a state or condition in which death is unavoidable, while the com- mon idea of the significance of immortality is more nearly correct.

The word immortal signifies not mortal; hence the very construction of the words indicates their true definitions. It is because of the prevalence of a wrong idea of the word mortal that so many are confused when trying to deter- mine whether Adam was mortal or immortal before his trans- gression. They reason that if he had been immortal God would not have said, "In the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die;" because it is impossible for an immortal being to die. This is a logical conclusion. On the other hand, say they, Had he been mortal, wherein could have consisted the threat or penalty of the statement, 4i Thou shalt surely die ;" since if mortal (according to their erroneous definition) he could not have avoided death any- how?

The difficulty, it will be perceived, is in the false mean- ing given to the word mortality. Apply the correct defini- tion, and all is clear. Adam was mortal that is, in a con- dition in which death was a possibility. He had life in full and perfect measure, yet not inherent life. His was a life sustained^ "every tree of the garden " save the one tree forbidden ; and so long as he continued in obedience to and in harmony with his Maker, his life was secure the sustaining elements would not be denied. Thus seen, Adam had life; and death was entirely avoidable, yet he was in

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