Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary John 12:25

"He that loveth his life loseth it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal." — John 12:25 (ASV)

The man who attempts to preserve his life will lose it, while the man who readily sacrifices his life will keep it for eternal life. The two words translated “life” are different (GK 6034 & 2437). The first is generally rendered “soul” and denotes the individual personality, with all its related experiences and achievements. The second is usually coupled with the adjective “eternal” in John and means the spiritual vitality that is the experience of God (17:3; cf. Matthew 10:39; Mark 8:36).

The expression “who hates his life” is a hyperbolic expression which means that one is to base one’s priorities on that which is outside oneself. In this instance, it is to make Christ the Master of one’s life.