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| Author | Comment |
Dana
Nov 5, 05 - 9:25 PM |
Greek
Hi again, I looked up the Greek word "aion," which translates to age, ages, or whatever. But the Bible uses the same word to discribe God's love for us. It seems as though the Greeks had no word for "forever," so they used aion. Is this true? You wouldn't say God's love for us is temporary would you? |
Mike Burke
 Nov 15th, 2005 - 4:41 PM |
Re: Greek
You asked several questions, and I would answer them as follows: Q. "It seems as though the Greeks had no word for 'forever,' so they used aion. Is this true?" A. I believe there were several words that could have expressed the idea of "forever" more clearly then aion, aionian, or aionios: 1. Akataluton= Imperishable/ endless 2. Aphthartos= Immortal/ imperishable http://bible.crosswalk.com/Lexicons/Greek/grk.cgi?number=862&version=kjv 3. Amarantos= Unfading/ perennial http://bible.crosswalk.com/Lexicons/Greek/grk.cgi?number=263&version=kjv 4. Amarantinos= Immortality/ perpetuity. http://bible.crosswalk.com/Lexicons/Greek/grk.cgi?number=262&version=kjv 5. Athanasia= Undying/ immortal/ everlasting/ deathlessness http://bible.crosswalk.com/Lexicons/Greek/grk.cgi?number=110&version=kjv 6. Anui telos= Without end http://bible.crosswalk.com/Lexicons/Greek/grk.cgi?number=5056&version=kjv 7. Analethron= Indestructible 8. Adioleipton= Never ceasing 9. Ateleuteton= Endless 10. Pantote= Forever 11. Eis tou dienekes= Forever 12. Aphtharsia= Incorruption/ perpetuity http://bible.crosswalk.com/Lexicons/Greek/grk.cgi?number=861&version=kjv 13. Aphthartos= Imperishable/ immortal http://bible.crosswalk.com/Lexicons/Greek/grk.cgi?number=862&version=kjv Q. "You wouldn't say God's love for us is temporary would you?" A. No I wouldn't. God IS love (1John 4:8.) That's not to say that He can't use tough love to correct His children, and bring them to repentance, but it is to say that He never acts purely out of hate (even for the worst of sinners.) If love is what God IS, it is as permanent as He is. Q. "But the Bible uses the same word to discribe God's love for us." A. True, but it's a very flexible word. Notice the following quotes: Schleusner: "Any space of time whether longer or shorter, past, present or future, to be determined by the persons or things spoken of, and the scope of the subjects; the life or age of man. Aiónios, a definite and long period of time, that is, a long enduring, but still definite period of time."...Alex. Campbell: "ITS RADICAL IDEA IS INDEFINITE DURATION." ...Even Professor Stuart is obliged to say: "The most common and appropriate meaning of aión in the New Testament, and the one which corresponds with the Hebrew word olam, and which therefore deserves the first rank in regard to order, I put down first: an indefinite period of time; time without limitation; ever, forever, time without end, eternity, all in relation to future time. The different shades by which the word is rendered, depend on the object with which aiónios is associated, or to which it has relation, rather than to any difference in the real meaning of the word." ...J. W. Haley *says: "The Hebrew word 'olam' rendered 'forever,' does not imply the metaphysical idea of absolute endlessness, but a period of indefinite length, as Rambach says, a very long time, the end of which is hidden from us." Olam or olim is the Hebrew equivalent of aión...Undoubtedly the definition given by Schleusner is the accurate one, 'Duration determined by the subject to which it is applied.' Thus it only expresses the idea of endlessness when connected with what is endless, as God. The word great is an illustrative word. Great applied to a tree, or mountain, or man, denotes different degrees, all finite, but when referring to God, it has the sense of infinite. Infinity does not reside in the word great but it has that meaning when applied to God. It does not impart it to God, it derives it from him. So of aiónion; applied to Jonah's residence in the fish, it means seventy hours; to the priesthood of Aaron, it signifies several centuries; to the mountains, thousands of years; to the punishments of a merciful God, as long as is necessary to vindicate his law and reform his children; to God himself, eternity. What great is to size, aiónios is to duration. http://www.tentmaker.org/books/Aion_lim.html God Bless. |
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Amethousia
Feb 23rd, 2006 - 7:45 AM |
Re: Greek
Jesus said "I am with you always, even to the close of the age" -- but we don't take that to mean that after the close of the Age, that He will NOT be with us. Maybe it's "as long as we can comprehend". God has "set eternity in the hearts of men", but who can comprehend endlessness, really. |
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Amethousia
Feb 23rd, 2006 - 7:50 AM |
Re: Greek
http://www.blueletterbible.org/tmp_dir/c/1140709676-2846.html#11 The ecclesiastes verse ( 3:11) that has been translated "eternity in the hearts of men" Olam in Hebrew, and some form of ainon in the Septuagint |
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Mike Burke
Feb 23rd, 2006 - 1:39 PM |
Re: Greek
Thank you Amethousia.  God Bless. |
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pawz
Sep 14th, 2007 - 2:45 AM |
Re: Greek
I found this a very useful post :) |
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Zach
Sep 14th, 2007 - 4:54 AM |
Re: Greek
Aidios does mean literally endless. It is used only twice in the NT: in Romans 1:20 ("eternal power and Godhead"), and in Jude 6 ("everlasting chains"). I've read that Jewish writers of Jesus's time usually used aidios or ateleutetos to refer to eternal torment. |
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Mike Burke
Sep 14th, 2007 - 7:08 AM |
Re: Greek
Yes, and in Jude 6 even aidios is limited by context. It says "unto the judgment of the great day." G-d Bless. |
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Zach
Sep 14th, 2007 - 8:14 AM |
Re: Greek
I do think, by the way, that many universalists overstate the case for understanding aionios in a limited sense. I think it should be understood to mean endless unless there is a good reason given to think otherwise. We have that good reason in various passages, primarily but not exclusively Pauline. |
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Mike Burke
Sep 14th, 2007 - 11:24 AM |
Re: Greek
Yes. When speaking of punishment, we have good reasons to understand it in a limited sense--and as you say, the passages that give us reason are primarily (but not exclusively) Pauline. because in him were the all things created, those in the heavens, and those upon the earth, those visible, and those invisible, whether thrones, whether lordships, whether principalities, whether authorities; all things through him, and for him, have been created, and himself is before all, and the all things in him have consisted. And himself is the head of the body -- the assembly -- who is a beginning, a first-born out of the dead, that he might become in all [things] -- himself -- first, because in him it did please all the fulness to tabernacle, and through him to reconcile the all things to himself -- having made peace through the blood of his cross -- through him, whether the things upon the earth, whether the things in the heavens. (Col. 1:16-20, Young's Literal Translation.) that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth--in Him. (Eph. 1:10.) Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Phil. 2:9-11.) for for this we both labour and are reproached, because we hope on the living God, who is Saviour of all men -- especially of those believing. (1 Tim. 4:10.) Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures. (James 1:18.) ...you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to an innumerable company of angels, to the general assembly and church of the firstborn... (Heb. 12:22-23.) Jesus said to them, "Assuredly, I say to you that tax collectors and harlots enter the kingdom of God before you. (Matt. 21:31.) the master of that servant will come on a day when he is not looking for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in two and appoint him his portion with the unbelievers. And that servant who knew his master's will, and did not prepare himself or do according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. But he who did not know, yet committed things deserving of stripes, shall be beaten with few. For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more. (Luke 12:46-48.) Agree with your adversary quickly, while you are on the way with him, lest your adversary deliver you to the judge, the judge hand you over to the officer, and you be thrown into prison. Assuredly, I say to you, you will by no means get out of there till you have paid the last penny. (Matt. 5:25-26.) Say to them: "As I live,' says the Lord GOD, "I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live. (Ezek. 33:11.) I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say: My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please. (Isa. 46:10.) with God all things are possible. (Matt. 19:26.) God is love (1 John 4:16.) For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning. (Psalm 30:5.) And they will be gathered together as prisoners are gathered in a pit or dungeon; they will be shut up in prison, and after many days they will be visited, inspected, and punished or pardoned. (Isa. 24:22, Amplified Bible.) |
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