I think that sometimes people over-complicate simple verses because to make them too simple can contradict one of their core beliefs.
A simple example. James is said to be the brother of John. The bible speaks of Jesus’ brothers.
However, many absolutely INSIST that it should be translated “cousins”. Now, on the surface that seems kinda silly. I mean, it’s very straightforward in language and context, but still people persist in this contorted meaning. And it makes sense when you find out what these same people believe about Mary: That she never had sex in her entire life.
Therefore, their belief about Mary FORCES them to deny the plain meaning of scripture.
And the same thing happens with discussions on eternal life. Thing is, it can also be translated “immortal”. However, many don’t want to do that. They want to say “eternal life” means more abundant, more special, more “real”, and all sorts of things that focus on quality rather than duration. And, honestly, the duration one can be argued to some degree, since “forever” in the bible doesn’t always mean “forever”. There are many past events that came to a conclusion, yet the bible uses phrases to describe them that are translated in English as “forever” or “never-ending”.
Nevertheless, the reason so many don’t want to play the “eternal life means immortality” is because the implication of that is that those places that discuss the fate of the saved as “eternal life” make it clear that the lost do not share in this. This creates a conundrum for many of them because they believe the lost really do have immortality, but will spend it being tortured in a certain “bad place”. i.e. if they accept the plain meaning of “eternal life vs death” and “eternal life vs perish”, it means those who are not Christs will, at some time, die/perish, and cease to exist. That contradicts their “eternal suffering in hell” message.
So, sometimes, when you see someone applying a LOT of definitions to a word, be careful to determine if their definition is supported by scripture and they are not doing a lot of twisting and bending of the word of God.
Just a thought.
BTW, I, personally see “eternal life” as life, beginning today, throughout the next age. And if there are any ages after that, all bets are off, though I hope it includes them, and the concept may not even apply. I also don’t see eternity as having to be the same thing as the linear passage of time that we enjoy in this age.
“James is said to be the brother of John” should have read, “James is said to be the brother of Jesus.”