According to scripture, Christ abolished spiritual death, the separation from God that came through Adam, not physical death.

2 Timothy 1:10 – "...our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel."

This shows the death being addressed was abolished through the gospel, not physical death which still occurred.

Romans 5:12 – "...through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all mankind..."

This death was the result of sin, and Christ came to reverse it.

1 Corinthians 15:21-22 – "For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive."

The contrast is spiritual and covenantal: death in Adam, life in Christ.

Ephesians 2:1 – "And you were dead in your offenses and sins..."

These people were physically alive but spiritually dead.

So when was spiritual death abolished?

There are two key stages to understand:

At the cross – Christ accomplished the legal victory over death by putting away sin.

Hebrews 9:26 – "...to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself."

Colossians 2:15 – "When He had disarmed the rulers and authorities, He made a public display of them..."

By 70 AD – the Old Covenant (called the ministration of death in 2 Corinthians 3:7) was removed, and the New Covenant fully established.

Hebrews 8:13 – "...is about to disappear."

Revelation 21:4 – "...there will no longer be any death..."

Christ abolished spiritual death at the cross by defeating sin, and He manifested that victory fully when the Old Covenant passed away and life in the New Covenant was fully revealed. That’s why Paul could say Christ "brought life and immortality to light through the gospel" because what was accomplished at the cross became visible and accessible through the New Covenant age.