
Why do humans grow old and die? Explore the scientific and biblical reasons behind ageing, suffering, and death. Learn what the Bible reveals about why life declines, how sin affected human perfection, and the hope of everlasting life without sickness, pain, or death. Discover comforting scriptures, spiritual insight, and God’s promise for a future free from ageing and sorrow.
Why Do We Grow Old and Die? Understanding Ageing, Suffering, and Biblical Hope
Why Humans Die, What Death Is, and How God Will Destroy It
The Bible gives clear answers about why humans grow old and die. In the beginning, God created humans to live forever on earth. Genesis 1:27 states that man was made in God’s image. Therefore, life was meant to remain perfect. However, the Bible explains that death entered when Adam disobeyed God. Romans 5:12 says, “Therefore death came through one man, and so death passed to all men.” Thus, the first sin introduced ageing, sickness, and death.

Furthermore, Genesis 2:17 says that Adam would die if he disobeyed. Because he disobeyed, God’s warning came true. Consequently, mankind inherited imperfection. We still suffer sickness, frailty, and gradual decline. Therefore, humans do not die accidentally. Instead, death resulted from inherited imperfection.
What Death Actually Is According to the Bible
The Bible clearly teaches what death is. It is not life in another realm. Instead, death is the absence of life. Ecclesiastes 9:5 says, “The dead know nothing.” Therefore, the dead are unaware of anything. Psalm 146:4 explains that their thoughts perish. So death is a state of silence and inactivity.
In addition, the Bible compares death to sleep. Jesus said, “Lazarus sleeps,” in John 11:11. Yet Lazarus was actually dead. Jesus later explained that Lazarus had died. Therefore, the Bible view of death is temporary. The dead are simply unconscious while waiting for God to restore life. Consequently, death is not the enemy’s victory. Instead, death is a condition that God will reverse.
The Resurrection on the Last Day
Jesus promised a resurrection. This promise gives real hope. In John 5:28-29 He said, “All in the tombs will hear His voice and come out.” Next, Jesus told Martha, “Your brother will rise again.” She replied, “I know he will rise in the resurrection at the last day” (John 11:24). Therefore, believers expected a set future time when millions would rise.
Moreover, the apostle Paul confirmed this future resurrection. He wrote in 1 Corinthians 15:22, “As in Adam all die, so in Christ shall all be made alive.” Thus, resurrection is not symbolic. It means restored life. Job also believed this. Job 14:14-15 says that God will call, and the dead will answer. Consequently, God will return people from death.
How Death Will Be Destroyed in God’s New World
The Bible promises that death will not last forever. Therefore, death is not permanent. Revelation 21:4 states that God “will wipe every tear,” and “death will be no more.” So death, pain, ageing, and sorrow will end. Isaiah 25:8 states that God will “swallow up death forever.” Therefore, death has a limited lifespan.
Even more, 1 Corinthians 15:26 says, “The last enemy to be destroyed is death.” Therefore, death is not a friend. God sees death as a harmful enemy. However, He will remove death through the rule of His Kingdom. Jesus will reign until death is erased.
God’s Purpose Will Finally Stand
God promised life. Therefore, His purpose will succeed. Psalm 37:29 says, “The righteous will inherit the earth and live forever.” That scripture clearly connects with God’s original plan in Eden. Because God does not change, His purpose remains permanent. Malachi 3:6 confirms this.

So although ageing causes suffering today, the future will be different. God will restore human perfection. He will raise the dead. He will destroy death entirely. Consequently, humanity will enjoy life without pain or decay. The Bible promises a real resurrection, endless life, and a world free from mortality.

Summarising Death and Resurrection
Why Do We Grow Old and Die? Understanding Ageing, Suffering, and Biblical Hope
The Bible clearly explains why humans age and eventually die. Scripture shows that death was not part of God’s original purpose. Genesis 1:26-27 reveals that God made humans in His image, designed for life, peace, and lasting happiness. However, Adam disobeyed God, and Romans 5:12 states that through one man sin entered the world and death spread to all. Therefore, ageing, sickness, and death exist because humanity inherited imperfection.
The Bible also explains what death actually is. Ecclesiastes 9:5 says, “The dead know nothing,” showing that death is not conscious life in another realm. Psalm 146:4 says that a person’s thoughts perish when they die. Therefore, the dead experience no pain, fear, or awareness. Jesus compared death to sleep when speaking about Lazarus (John 11:11-14), indicating that death is temporary from God’s perspective.
However, God promises to reverse death through a resurrection. Jesus said in John 5:28-29 that all in the memorial tombs will hear His voice and come out. Martha believed this when she said, “He will rise on the last day” (John 11:24). The apostle Paul confirmed that through Christ, many will be restored to life (1 Corinthians 15:22).
The Bible also promises that death will end permanently. Revelation 21:4 says that God will remove tears and that death will be no more. Isaiah 25:8 says He will swallow up death forever. Psalm 37:29 promises everlasting life on earth. Therefore, death will soon disappear, and life will last forever, exactly as God first intended.

Useful Links
Why Do We Grow Old and Die? Understanding Ageing, Suffering, and Biblical Hope
Useful Scriptures
Why Do We Grow Old and Die? Understanding Ageing, Suffering, and Biblical Hope
1) Scriptures on Why We Die
Human perfection lost through sin
- Genesis 2:16-17
- Genesis 3:17-19
- Romans 5:12
- Romans 5:17-19
- Romans 6:23
- 1 Corinthians 15:21-22
Consequences of Adam’s rebellion
- Genesis 3:1-6
- Genesis 3:22-24
- Job 14:4
- Psalm 51:5
Death is inherited
- Job 14:1-2
- Psalm 90:10
- Ecclesiastes 7:20
- Ecclesiastes 8:8
2) Scriptures About What Death Is
Death is unconscious
- Ecclesiastes 9:5
- Ecclesiastes 9:10
- Psalm 146:4
- Psalm 115:17
Death is compared to sleep
- John 11:11-14
- Daniel 12:2
- 1 Kings 2:10
- Acts 7:60
- Matthew 27:52
No work, memory, nor emotion in death
- Psalm 6:5
- Job 14:10-12
3) Scriptures About the Resurrection on the Last Day
Direct promise of resurrection
- John 5:28-29
- John 6:39-40
- John 11:23-26
- Acts 24:15
- Daniel 12:2
- Hosea 13:14
Resurrection restores lost life
- 1 Corinthians 15:21-23
- 1 Corinthians 15:42-44
- 1 Corinthians 15:51-57
God will call, the dead will answer
- Job 14:14-15
- Isaiah 26:19
Jesus resurrected people as a preview
- Luke 7:14-15
- Mark 5:41-42
- John 11:43-44
4) How Death Will Be Destroyed
Death will be removed fully
- 1 Corinthians 15:26
- 1 Corinthians 15:54-57
- Revelation 20:14
- Revelation 21:4
Death will be swallowed up permanently
- Isaiah 25:8
Tears, pain, and sorrow end
- Revelation 21:3-4
- Isaiah 35:10
Additional Scripture Showing Life Will Be Restored
Eternal life on earth
- Psalm 37:29
- Psalm 37:11
- Matthew 5:5
Everlasting covenant of blessing
- Ezekiel 37:12-14
- Isaiah 65:21-25
Summary of Themes
Why we die:
Sin entered the world through Adam → mortality spread to all humans.
What death is:
Unconscious sleep-like state—no thinking, feeling, or awareness.
The resurrection on the last day:
Jesus will call all in the graves; both the righteous and unrighteous will rise.
How death will be destroyed:
God will abolish death permanently; pain, tears, and sorrow will vanish forever.
