Earlier Paidion wrote:
But does "αιωνιος" mean "eternal"? This adjective is derived from its nominal form "αιων" which means "age".
Therefore the adjective "αιωνιος" means "age-long".
This is an example of the "root word fallacy". There are many places, sixty-six in all, in the New Testament (KJV) where we find
aionios translated everlasting, eternal, or forever. Twice it is translated "before the world began" and once "since the world began" The translators were not mistaken. The idea that only
aidios means eternal is false.
Aidios only appears twice in the NT; Romans 1:20, translated "eternal" and in Jude 6 where it is translated "everlasting". The article on
aidios in Kittle's Theological Dictionary, volume 1, page 168, states that
aidios was sometimes used with
aionios as a synonym. Also
aidios was only used twice in the LXX as a philosophical term. Kittle's also says "
aionios contains not merely the concept of unlimited time without beginning or end, but also of the eternity which transcends time.
The context of the use of
aionios in the NT easily demonstrates the falsity of the idea that
aionios means "age-long" and not everlasting, eternal, or forever. Consider the following:
2 Corinthians 4:18
New American Standard Bible 1995
18. while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal (
aionia).
2 Timothy 2:10
New American Standard Bible 1995
10.For this reason I endure all things for the sake of those who are chosen, so that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus and with it eternal(
aioniou) glory.
1 Peter 5:10
New American Standard Bible 1995
10. After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal (
aionion) glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you.
2 Peter 1:11
New American Standard Bible 1995
11. for in this way the entrance into the eternal (
aionion) kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be abundantly supplied to you.
Hebrews 5:9
New American Standard Bible 1995
9. And having been made perfect, He became to all those who obey Him the source of eternal (
aioniou) salvation,
Hebrews 9:12-15
New American Standard Bible 1995
12. and not through the blood of goats and calves, but through His own blood, He entered the holy place once for all, having obtained eternal (
aionion) redemption. 13. For if the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkling those who have been defiled sanctify for the cleansing of the flesh, 14.how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal (
aionion) Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?
15. For this reason He is the mediator of a new covenant, so that, since a death has taken place for the redemption of the transgressions that were committed under the first covenant, those who have been called may receive the promise of the eternal (
aioniou) inheritance.
Hebrews 13:20
New American Standard Bible 1995
20. Now the God of peace, who brought up from the dead the great Shepherd of the sheep through the blood of the eternal (
aioniou) covenant, even Jesus our Lord,
Many more examples could be cited; the above examples should be more than enough.
Blaise Pascal:
People almost invariably arrive at their beliefs not on the basis of proof but on the basis of what they find attractive.