In various versions, you will see that this verse is placed between two hyphens. The intent is to indicate that this verse further explains and deepens the previous verse. In particular, it emphasizes that the Word, that is Christ, is the Word of life. True life has been revealed to people on earth in Christ who came to this world. God has shown life to us in Christ.
The true life comes from the Father who reveals it in the Son. Real life comes from God and the Spirit makes this known in the Bible. There you find the testimony of the ear and eye witnesses who saw, heard, and even touched Jesus Christ himself. That is how close they were to him.
The Lord does not keep this life hidden. He even shows it to sinners and calls them from death to life. As a result, the apostles proclaim eternal life in this world on Christ’s behalf. It is a call to faith—to follow Christ as one’s Saviour and Lord. It is in Christ that eternal life is presented to us.
The word eternal
points to a life that never ends—a life that will always be there. Yet the eternity of this life is not the decisive thing. What is decisive is the quality of this life. It is a life that could not be any better. This life will never again be disturbed by death, sickness, grief, strife, or infirmities. All the consequences of sin are gone forever in this new life! This also applies to the bodies of those who entrust themselves to Christ. By his resurrection from the dead Christ has shown that even for the body this life is so good. The bodies of believers will also share in his redemption and victory.
In John 17 we read the secret of this eternal life: And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent
(John 17:3). Living with the Lord—that is real life! It is the life that comes to his or her true destiny, a glorious commitment that you may enjoy forever.
This is the life that is inseparable from Christ’s resurrection. It cannot exist without him. This comes out clearly in John 11:25–26 where Christ says, I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die.
2 the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us