[Greek] ἀθανασία (athanasia), [Latin] immortalitis:

Greek] ἀθανασία (athanasia), [Latin] immortalitis: immortality, deathlessness, a state of not being able to die; 1Cor.15:53-54, 1Tim.6:16

Maccabees: painting by Woijciech Stattler (1842).  The Maccabees, by remaining faithful through persecution or martyrdom, will seek everlasting life (immortality).

Background information:

Greek Hellenism: This term means immortality, antidote, and elixir. This term has existed since the time of Plato and Isocrates. Immortality is seen as a quality of the gods. Plato advocated that the soul itself attains immortality. Panthesist Stocism states that man, organically part of the living cosmos, can attain immortality. Immortality is also involved with participation in the divine nature, elixirs, mysticism (mysteries), and magic. The emperors had often claimed themselves as immortal (like the gods).

Plato’s views of immortality: He advocated that the human soul itself is immortal. Plato’s Phaedrus 246a states “That which moves itself is nothing else than the soul. Then the soul would necessarily be ungenerated and immortal. Concerning immortality of the soul, this is enough. To tell what it really is would be a matter for utterly superhuman and long discourse. We will liken the soul to the composite nature of a pair of winged horses and a charioteer.”

Old Testament culture: This term is found only in the Catholic Old Testament scriptures (Sol.) and related apocryphal scriptures (3Macc and 4Macc). Although technically not part of the Catholic Old Testament canon, 3Macc and 4Macc can convey the same spirit of truth as 1Macc and 2Macc. These scriptures use this term to describe the expected eternal life of the righteous. These righteous Jews, remaining faithful to their traditions in persecution or death, seek comfort in the notion of later eternal life. Philo and Josephus, Jewish Hellenistic philosophers, frequently reference this term. For if before men, indeed they be punished, yet is their hope full of immortality (Sol.3:4). For to know you well is complete justice, and to know your might is the root of immortality (Sol.15:3). But all of them, as though running the course toward immortality, hastened to death by torture (4Macc.14:5). So these holy youths, as though moved by an immortal spirit of devotion, agreed to go to death for its sake (4Macc.14:6). But the sons of Abraham with their victorious mother are gathered together and have received pure and immortal souls from God (4Macc.18:23).

New Testament: This term means immortality. In 1Cor.15:53-54 Paul speaks of the Resurrection event. In an instant the dead will be raised incorruptible. Death is swallowed up in victory. The corruptible (mortal) must clothe itself with incorruptibility (immortality). The gulf (difference) between creatures and God is too wide bridge this gap. This is why God must transform us. Scripture predicts death’s overthrow in a new change of existence. God alone has immortality.

Scripture:

“For that which is corruptible must clothe itself with incorruptibility, and that which is mortal must clothe itself with immortality.” 1Cor.15:53

The gulf between man and God is so wide that God will change us into an incorruptible and immortal form.

Early Church: Justin Marytr states that Plato formed his views of the soul’s immortality from the Old Testament prophets. As a philosopher himself, Justin Martyr was convinced that the soul’s immortality cannot be possible outside God’s will. Otherwise, petitions for immortal resurrection life through faith in Jesus would be unnecessary. Didache 4.8 states “You shall not turn away from him that is in want, but you shall share all things with your brother. For if you are partakers in that which is immortal, how much more in things which are mortal? 2^nd Letter of Clement 19.2 states “Though they may endure affliction for a short time in the world, they will gather the immortal fruit of the resurrection.”

Conclusion:

Euthanasia, immortal, immortality

Immortality is a quality applicable to the gods. Even some persons, like emperors, claimed this quality. Plato advocated that the soul itself is immortal.

In the Old Testament culture, it is interesting to note the beginning of the notion of obtaining immortal life (immortality) after death. Many Hebrews were willing to face persecution or death for upholding their faith traditions. However, the distinction between faithful martyrdom, fanaticism, and zealousness can often be blurred.

In the New Testament, the dead will attain incorruptibility in the Resurrection event. The dead (mortal) will be clothed with incorruptibility (immortality).

Justin Martyr, a philosopher, had previously followed Plato’s views of the soul. Justin Martyr was later convinced that Plato’s arguments were inadequate. Jesus’ offer of everlasting life undermines Plato’s notion that the soul itself is immortal.

Even Plato’s arguments cannot stand up to Jesus’ offer of immortality.