“but has now been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel” (2 Timothy 1:10).
We often speak of “death” in a variety of contexts. For instance, we might use this word to describe a phone, a battery, an automobile, or other inanimate object that has ceased to function. But when it comes to death in a physical or spiritual sense, this word involves something considerably more.
You see, we can associate the word “death” with the idea of “separation” in a physical or spiritual context. For example, physical death occurs when a person’s spirit separates from his or her physical body, for “…the body without the spirit is dead…” (James 2:26). This also represents what has come to be known as the “first death” as mentioned within the Biblical book of Revelation (see Revelation 20:11-13).
The book of Revelation also references another type of death that is identified as the “second death” in Revelation 20:14-15. That form of death results in separation from God. Adam and Eve were the first to experience this type of death and it will ultimately affect those who wants nothing to do with God for all eternity.
Nevertheless, this passage may lead to an important question: if Jesus abolished death (as we’re told here in 2 Timothy 1:10), then why does it still exist? Here’s how one Biblical scholar addresses that question…
PROBLEM: Paul affirms in this text that Christ “has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the Gospel.” But death is not abolished, since “death spread to all men” (Rom. 5:12), and “it is appointed for men to die once” (Heb. 9:27).
SOLUTION: First of all, Christ did not abolish physical death immediately, but by His death and resurrection it will be abolished eventually. Christ is the first one to experience resurrection in an immortal body (1 Cor. 15:20)—the rest of the human race will experience this later, at His second coming (1 Cor. 15:50–56). Second, Christ abolished death officially when He personally defeated it by His resurrection. However, physical death will not be completely destroyed actually until He returns again and “death is swallowed up in victory” (1 Cor. 15:54). For Paul tells us that “the last enemy that will be destroyed is death” (1)
In the words of another commentator, “Jesus brought the truth about our immortal state to life through His own resurrection; He showed us what our own immortal bodies would be like and assured us that we would in fact have them. Jesus is therefore a more reliable spokesman regarding the world beyond than anyone who has a near-death experience.” (2)
(1) Geisler, N. L., & Howe, T. A. (1992). When critics ask : a popular handbook on Bible difficulties (p. 503). Wheaton, Ill.: Victor Books.
(2) Guzik, Dave, 2 Timothy 1 – A Spirit Of Boldness, https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/2-timothy-1/