SPECIAL TOPIC: LIFE (zoâ) IN PAUL

The term "life" (zoâ) is used several times in the Pastoral Letters and can mean

eternal life (1 Tim. 1:16; 6:12; Titus 1:2; 3:7)
true life (1 Tim. 6:19)
present life and life of the age to come (1 Tim. 4:8)
promise of life in Christ (2 Tim. 1:1)
life and immortality through Christ (2 Tim. 1:10)

There are two related terms used in the Pastoral Letters to express never ending, new age life:

"corrupt" with an ALPHA PRIVATIVE (2 Tim. 1:10; Titus 2:7; Rom. 2:7; 1 Cor. 15:52-54)
"death" with an ALPHA PRIVATIVE (1 Tim. 6:16 and 1 Cor. 15:53-54)

This is not the Greek concept of every human having an immortal pre-existing "soul." Believers' immortality begins with their personal repentant faith in Christ. God is the only source of immortality (cf. 1 Tim. 1:17; 6:16). He gives it freely through Christ (and Christ alone).