Book of John - Chapter 17 - Verse 3
Meaning
These words spoken by Jesus in the Bible highlight the essence of eternal life according to Christian belief. The verse emphasizes the significance of knowing and having a relationship with God the Father, as well as with Jesus Christ, whom He sent to bring salvation to humanity. In the Christian faith, eternal life is not just about living forever in heaven, but more importantly, it is about having a deep, personal connection with God and His Son. By knowing God and Jesus Christ, believers can experience true life, meaning, and purpose. This knowledge goes beyond intellectual understanding to a place of intimate fellowship and spiritual communion. It is through this relationship that Christians find fulfillment and eternal significance in their lives. This verse serves as a cornerstone of Christian faith, reminding believers of the ultimate goal of knowing God and Jesus Christ in order to attain eternal life.
Theological Overview
One of the key theological interpretations of the verse "And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent," is the emphasis on the concept of eternal life being intimately tied to knowing God and Jesus Christ. This verse highlights the centrality of a personal relationship with God and Jesus as essential for experiencing eternal life. The word "know" in this verse goes beyond a mere intellectual understanding and conveys a deep, intimate, and personal knowledge of God and Jesus. This knowledge involves acknowledging God as the only true God and recognizing Jesus Christ as the one sent by God. Through this knowledge and relationship, believers can experience the fullness of eternal life as promised in scripture. Word studies on "know" in this context could explore the richness of the Greek word used and its implications for believers in truly knowing God and Jesus in a transformative way.