The Highway Forums General Discussion Theology Discussion Forum Were Adam and Eve mortal or immortal at first?

Was the death that God told them about spiritual or physical or both?

Both! They instantly knew they were naked and experienced shame, evidence of spiritual death; and the curse included disease, hunger, and physical mortality.

1. In regard to the subject of this thread, "Were Adam and Eve mortal or immortal at first?". Only God is "immortal" in the sense of being eternally without beginning or end. Even the glorified saints, although they will possess an "incorruptible body" and live forever in one sense will not be "immortal" for it is God Who sustains life, yea all things. All creation is totally dependent upon God for its very existence.

2. The death threatened upon disobedience was indeed spiritual and physical AND eternal; a tri-fold death. The eternal death is the final separation from God, i.e., damnation; the judgment of God and the casting into hell, eternal punishment/damnation.

In His grace,

I guess by immortal, I meant not subject to death. At first they were not subject to death, but sin made them subject to physical death, right?

Adam's life was contingent upon his perfect obedience. If he transgressed God's law then the penalty was death. So, in this sense, yes Adam was mortal and not immortal, i.e., he was able to die.

But I would like to know:

1. What you mean by "subject to death".
2. Why the question? Sometimes this is a help in knowing how to answer.

In His grace,

As others have said, both! In fact, not only did this affect Adam but a curse was put on the entirety of creation:

Romans 8
18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. 19 For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. 20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; 21 because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now. 23 Not only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body.