Commentaries:
The word Eden in Hebrew means "delight" or "enjoyment"—it was a garden of delight or enjoyment. When the Septuagint Version was produced, its translators used the Greek word for "parkland" for Eden, from which came the word "paradise." In the Old Testament, Eden is often a symbol of great fertility, a place where things wold grow. In other words, its environment was not only beautiful but also useful for producing things. In this case, God had in mind not merely an environment for vegetation, but for a relationship through fellowship—between God and Adam and Eve, who represented all of mankind. Spiritually, Eden symbolizes a rich and fertile place of unbroken fellowship.
John W. Ritenbaugh
The Holy Spirit and the Trinity (Part 6)
Adam had mortal life. The Tree of Life represented eternal life, which can come only from God's Spirit. If Adam had eaten of that Tree, he would have received God's Spirit, been begotten as a son of God. Adam, conditionally, would have received the earnest or down payment of eternal life. God's Spirit would have enabled Adam and Eve to overcome temptation, grow in righteous character, and become perfect, eventually, ready to be given spirit-composed eternal life, unconditionally. Even Jesus had to grow, learn, overcome, and become perfect (Luke 2:40; Hebrews 5:8; Revelation 3:21; Hebrews 2:10).
Pentecost: Only 'Firstfruits' Now Called!
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