"Aionios" NEVER means "eternal"

[Guest]

Paidion,

I posted a comment by Richard Bauckham from his article "Universalism: A Historical Survey as follows:

The nineteenth-century debates always included extensive exegetical discussions, especially over the meaning of aionios. In this century, however, exegesis has turned decisively against the universalist case. Few would now doubt that many NT texts clearly teach a final division of mankind into saved and lost, and the most that universalists now commonly claim is that alongside these texts there are others which hold out a universal hope

Here is an article by a Universalist that shows they are giving up your claim that aionios never means eternal. In fact the author states that the Hebrew olam and Greek aionios both can mean infinity or limitless duration, and bases his argument for universalisim on other grounds. Your argument is outdated.

It is well written, interesting article:

[The Hidden Aeonian]

[Guest]

Your argument is outdated.

If an argument supports truth, the date of the argument is irrelevant.

[Guest]

Homer, I'm somewhat familiar with Beecham and I think you've misunderstood his central point in the article that you linked to, which is this:

If we translate the Greek word aionios either by everlasting or by age-lasting we meet with inconsistencies and contradictions. If we trace it back to its roots in the Hebrew word olam, pointing us to the unseen, timeless realm of God the Scriptures take on new and consistent meaning.

What he's positing is that aion and aionios don't refer to the passage of time, be it limited or eternal. Rather, he is saying that aion and aionios refer to the realm of God which is outside of time.

[Guest]

that the Hebrew olam and Greek aionios both can mean infinity or limitless duration, and bases his



"Aion" and "olam" both mean age. "Aionios" is the adjective of "aion."
The issue is how it is used in the bible.

Before there ever were an "aions" 1 Cor 2.7
God created the "aions" Heb 1.2
Hid from the aions Col 1.26
Our present aion Gal 1.4
The end of our present aion Matt 24.3
The aion to come Luke 18.30
Future aions Eph 2.7
Throughout all aions Eph 3.31
The ends of all the aions 1 Cor 10.11

[Guest]

In my own studies I have found a distinct difference between the Greek words used to describe the current time/season (kairos) we live in and the eternal (aionios) age (aiwn) to come. In Luke 18:30 this difference is illustrated in which Jesus states:

“Truly I say to you, there is no one who has left house or wife or brothers or parents or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, who will not receive many times as much in this season (kairos) and in the age (aiwv) to come, eternal (aiwnios) life.

The next life is not simply a temporal season, it is of a different quality, and Jesus always uses the word aiwnios to describe this new life. It is not simply an “age-lasting”, temporal time frame like this life—it is eternal. Does Jesus ever use any other word to describe the next life, besides aiwnios, that would imply it is temporal and not eternal?

Additionally, I read the 69 times aiwnios is used in the NT, and it is never used to describe the temporal life we currently live in; aiwnios is always used for the next life which demonstrates that the next life is of a different quality, that is, it is not terminal.

In 2 Cor 4:18 Paul draws a literal contrast between the temporal and eternal:

“for the things which are seen are temporal (this Greek word does literally mean temporal - for a season), but the things which are not seen are eternal (aiwnios).”

Paul is evidently trying to make a distinction between that which is temporal and that which is not by using the disparity between proskairos (temporary) and aiwnios (eternal).

I concede with Homer that aiwnios means eternal in either the literal sense or the figurative sense to simply emphasize a point.

[Guest]

Ben,

Excellent post!
(I might learn NT Greek after all)!

What's the first letter again? An Aleph? just kidding,

God bless you, brother,
Rick

[Guest]

Hello Benzoaic,

Quote: "for the things which are seen are temporal (this Greek word does literally mean temporal - for a season), but the things which are not seen are eternal (aiwnios)."

How are they used to define the final outcome of the wicked? Is eternal
seperation of the wicked a valid interpretation? Or, is there support for the Universalist claim that the 'wicked' will be delivered out of the LOF?

Thanks,
Bob

[Guest]

Additionally, I read the 69 times aiwnios is used in the NT, and it is never used to describe the temporal life we currently live in; aiwnios is always used for the next life which demonstrates that the next life is of a different quality, that is, it is not terminal.

The following passage contradicts your assertion that "aiōnios" is never used to describe "the temporal life we currently live in" and that the word is always used for the next life.

I appeal to you for my child, Onesimus, whose father I have become in my imprisonment. (Formerly he was useless to you, but now he is indeed useful to you and to me.) I am sending him back to you, sending my very heart. I would have been glad to keep him with me, in order that he might serve me on your behalf during my imprisonment for the gospel;but I preferred to do nothing without your consent in order that your goodness might not be by compulsion but of your own free will. Perhaps this is why he was parted from you for a while, that you might have him back for ever[aiōnios], no longer as a slave but more than a slave, as a beloved brother, especially to me but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord. Philemon 8-16 RSV

[Guest]

Additionally, I read the 69 times aiwnios is used in the NT, and it is never used to describe the temporal life we currently live in; aiwnios is always used for the next life which demonstrates that the next life is of a different quality, that is, it is not terminal.

The following passage contradicts your assertion that "aiōnios" is never used to describe "the temporal life we currently live in" and that the word is always used for the next life.

I appeal to you for my child, Onesimus, whose father I have become in my imprisonment. (Formerly he was useless to you, but now he is indeed useful to you and to me.) I am sending him back to you, sending my very heart. I would have been glad to keep him with me, in order that he might serve me on your behalf during my imprisonment for the gospel;but I preferred to do nothing without your consent in order that your goodness might not be by compulsion but of your own free will. Perhaps this is why he was parted from you for a while, that you might have him back for ever[aiōnios], no longer as a slave but more than a slave, as a beloved brother, especially to me but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord. Philemon 8-16 RSV

That verse is not describing the quality of life which we currently live in. The word is used in Philemon 8-16 to demonstrate that they would get to keep Onesimus.

Here are all the places where aiwnios is used in the NT to describe other things besides eternal(aiwnios) life:

Matt. 18:8 – aiwnios is used to describe the aiwnios fire
Matt. 25:41 – aiwnios is used to describe the aiwnios fire
Matt 25:46 – aiwnios is used to describe the aiwnios “punishment”
Mark 3:29 – aiwnios is used to describe the aiwnios sin
Mark 16:20 – aiwnios is used to describe the aiwnios salvation
Luke 16:9 – aiwnios is used to describe the aiwnios tent/dwelling place
Rom. 16:25 – aiwnios is used to describe the aiwnios time
Rom. 16:26 – aiwnios is used to describe the aiwnios God
2 Cor. 4:17 – aiwnios is used to describe the aiwnios burden
2 Cor. 4:18 – aiwnios is used to describe the aiwnios things which are not seen
2 Cor 5:1 – aiwnios is used to describe the aiwnios house
2 Th. 1:9 – aiwnios is used to describe the aiwnios destruction
2 Th. 2:16 – aiwnios is used to describe the aiwnios encouragement
1 Tim 6:16 – aiwnios is used to describe the aiwnios strength
2 Tim. 1:9 – aiwnios is used to describe the aiwnios time
2 Tim 2:10 – aiwnios is used to describe the aiwnios splendor/glory
Titus 1:2 – aiwnios is used to describe the aiwnios time
Philem. 15 – aiwnios is used to describe the aiwnios retainment of Onesimus
Heb 5:9 – aiwnios is used to describe the aiwnios salvation
Heb 6:2 – aiwnios is used to describe the aiwnios judgment
Heb 9:12 – aiwnios is used to describe the aiwnios ransom
Heb 9:14 – aiwnios is used to describe the aiwnios spirit
Heb 9:15 – aiwnios is used to describe the aiwnios inheritance
Heb 13:20 – aiwnios is used to describe the aiwnios covenant
1 Pet 5:10 – aiwnios is used to describe the aiwnios splendor/glory
2 Pet. 1:11 – aiwnios is used to describe the aiwnios kingdom
Jude 7 – aiwnios is used to describe the aiwnios custom/punishment
Rev 14:6 – aiwnios is used to describe the aiwnios gospel


Aiwnios is never used to describe the temporary season we currently reside in. Please find a place where the next life—whether with God or in punishment—is described by using kairos or other such words that depict a temporary season or time period.

[Guest]

Translation of "Eternal" Contradictions Per Aion

Romans 16:25

to de dunameno humas stopixai kata to euagelion mou kai kêrugma iêsou christou kata apokalupsin musteriou chronois aioniois sesigemenou phanerothentos de nun." "Now to Him Who is able to establish you according to my evangel, and the heralding of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of a secret having been hushed in times eonian, yet manifested now."


2 Timothy 1:9 and Titus 1:2 "pro chronon aionion," "before times eonian."

Jude 7 states that Sodom is an example of puros aioniou dikên hupechousai, "experiencing the justice of fire eonian."

Hebrews 9:26, epi sonteleia ton aionon

Col. 1:26, apokekrummenon apo ton aionion

Luke 20:34, hoi huioi tou aionos,

In Matthew 12:32 Jesus said, oute en touto to aioni oute en to mellonti,

Ephesians 3:11: "According to the eternal purpose which He purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord." This purpose carries the idea that there is a goal in view, a plan, an aim, a design. Is it never accomplished??