John 12:25
He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.
Original Language Analysis
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
1 of 22
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
φιλῶν
He that loveth
G5368
φιλῶν
He that loveth
Strong's:
G5368
Word #:
2 of 22
to be a friend to (fond of (an individual or an object)), i.e., have affection for (denoting personal attachment, as a matter of sentiment or feeling;
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 22
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ψυχὴν
life
G5590
ψυχὴν
life
Strong's:
G5590
Word #:
4 of 22
breath, i.e., (by implication) spirit, abstractly or concretely (the animal sentient principle only; thus distinguished on the one hand from g4151, wh
αὐτήν
it
G846
αὐτήν
it
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
5 of 22
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
ἀπολέσει
shall lose
G622
ἀπολέσει
shall lose
Strong's:
G622
Word #:
6 of 22
to destroy fully (reflexively, to perish, or lose), literally or figuratively
αὐτήν
it
G846
αὐτήν
it
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
7 of 22
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
8 of 22
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
9 of 22
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
μισῶν
he that hateth
G3404
μισῶν
he that hateth
Strong's:
G3404
Word #:
10 of 22
to detest (especially to persecute); by extension, to love less
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
11 of 22
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ψυχὴν
life
G5590
ψυχὴν
life
Strong's:
G5590
Word #:
12 of 22
breath, i.e., (by implication) spirit, abstractly or concretely (the animal sentient principle only; thus distinguished on the one hand from g4151, wh
αὐτήν
it
G846
αὐτήν
it
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
13 of 22
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
τῷ
G3588
τῷ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
15 of 22
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
κόσμῳ
world
G2889
κόσμῳ
world
Strong's:
G2889
Word #:
16 of 22
orderly arrangement, i.e., decoration; by implication, the world (including its inhabitants, literally or figuratively (morally))
εἰς
unto
G1519
εἰς
unto
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
18 of 22
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
αἰώνιον
eternal
G166
αἰώνιον
eternal
Strong's:
G166
Word #:
20 of 22
perpetual (also used of past time, or past and future as well)
Cross References
Matthew 10:39He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.Mark 8:35For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it.Luke 17:33Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it.Matthew 16:25For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.Luke 14:26If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.Revelation 12:11And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.Acts 20:24But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.Matthew 19:29And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.Ecclesiastes 2:17Therefore I hated life; because the work that is wrought under the sun is grievous unto me: for all is vanity and vexation of spirit.Acts 21:13Then Paul answered, What mean ye to weep and to break mine heart? for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.
Historical Context
Martyrdom was reality for early Christians. Jesus' teaching prepared disciples for persecution's cost. 'Hating' in Semitic idiom means 'loving less,' requiring radical prioritization (Luke 14:26).
Questions for Reflection
- How does this paradox challenge contemporary Christianity's focus on self-fulfillment?
- What does 'hating' life in this world practically mean in your circumstances?
- In what areas are you loving this world's life more than eternal life?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Jesus extends the principle to disciples: loving one's life loses it; hating life in this world preserves it eternally. The paradox challenges worldly values—self-preservation destroys, self-sacrifice saves. 'Hating' life means subordinating temporal existence to eternal priorities, not literal self-hatred. This radical discipleship call requires counting this world's life as loss compared to eternal life (Phil 1:21). The principle explains martyrdom's logic—those who die for Christ gain eternal reward. It challenges American Christianity's comfort-seeking. True life comes through losing life for Christ.