But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:
But is now made manifest - in contrast to its concealment heretofore in God's eternal purpose "before the world began" (2 Timothy 1:9; Colossians 1:26; Titus 1:2-3).
Appearing, х epifaneias (G2015)] - Christ's whole manifestation on earth.
Abolished - `taken away the power from' (Tittmann). х Katargeesantos (G2673), without the article; 'Having made, as He did, of none effect' (Ellicott).] The article before "death" х ton (G3588) thanaton (G2288)] implies that Christ abolished death as a principle (Matthew 4:16) overshadowing the world' (Ellicott), not only in particular instances, but in its essence, as also in all its consequences (John 11:26; Romans 8:2; Romans 8:38; 1 Corinthians 15:26; 1 Corinthians 15:55; Hebrews 2:14). The full abolition shall be at Christ's second coming (Revelation 20:14). The death of the body meanwhile is but temporary, and is made no account of by Scripture. DEATH seems to me personified. Already it is said to be "abolished," because the earnest of it was given in Christ's resurrection. This is an appropriate consolation to Paul, soon about to suffer a violent death (2 Timothy 1:12).
Life - of the Spirit, acting first on the soul here, about to act on the body also at the resurrection.
Immortality, х aftharsian (G861)] - 'incorruptibility' of the new life, not merely of the raised body (Romans 2:7; Romans 8:11; 1 Peter 1:4; Revelation 21:4).
Through - brought to light by means of the Gospel: life and immortality, purposed by God from eternity, but manifested now first to man. Christ, in His resurrection, has given the pledge of His people's final triumph over death through Him. Before the Gospel revelation, man, by the light of nature, at best had but a glimmering idea of a future being of the soul, but not the faintest idea of the resurrection of the body (Acts 17:18; Acts 17:32). If Christ were not "the life," the dead could never live: if He were not the resurrection, they could never rise; had He not the keys of hell and death (Revelation 1:18), we could never break through the bars of death or gates of hell (Dr. Pearson).