What is meant by the word 'eternal'?
One of the most difficult pieces of translating things from one language to another is that words have multiple meanings. It would be nice if we could take any word, and say that it always means the same thing. Unfortunately, languages do not work that way. A common example that I often use is the word "trunk". How many different meanings can we can come up with for that word? Let's see. .1. A large box for storing or transporting clothes in
2. A compartment in the back of a car
3. The nose of an elephant
4. A branch of a railroad line
5. The base of a tree
And there are probably even more that I am not aware of.
So when a passage of scripture is translated from the original language to the English language (or any other language, for that matter), how does a translator decide the correct word? In the article Determining the Meaning of Words, I discussed briefly some of these issues. In this article, I intend to examine one particular word quite closely, and make the case that sometimes this word is translated incorrectly.
One of the characteristics of language is that words that are one part of speech can be modified to become a different part of speech. Sometimes we take nouns and turn them into adjectives. For example, consider the following pairs of words:
water...............watery
cake................cakey
dog.................doggy
rain.................rainy
In general, when we turn a noun into an adjective, the root meaning of the new word is strongly related to the original meaning. We do not change the meaning to something completely different.
So why do I mention this? It's because of a particular noun in the Greek New Testament, and its corresponding adjective form. With this particular noun, the word is translated a certain way, and the adjective form generally is translated with a somewhat different meaning. If one were to look up the meanings of this adjective in a Greek dictionary, one would find a meaning related to the noun form, as well as a secondary meaning. However, translators have ALWAYS translated this word using the secondary meaning, apparently without ever considering the possibility that the root meaning might be an alternative.
OK - so what is this mystery word that I'm talking about? The Greek word is the word "aion", which generally is translated as "age". It is the origin of our English word "eon", which generally means a very long period of time. It's not uncommon to think of an age as a period of 1000 years. Now the adjective word is "aionias", which is ALWAYS translated everlasting or eternal. But what if this word, which clearly CAN be translated eternal, should sometimes be translated "age"? How would that affect things? Furthermore, how would one determine which translation was the correct translation?
I am convinced that both translations should be used in scripture. Otherwise, we end up with a host of contradictions. For example:
Matthew 18:8 - 9 (NIV) - If your hand or your foot causes you to sin cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life maimed or crippled than to have two hands or two feet and be thrown into eternal fire. And if your eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into the fire of hell.
In this passage, I have highlighted the word "eternal" so it is easier to find. Notice that there is no discussion here about grace - it is about our behavior. This seems to imply that we should cut off the body parts that cause us to sin, so that we can avoid eternal fire. Yet this is completely contrary to The Gospel of Grace!
Look at the next example:
Matthew 19:16 - 24 (NIV) - 16 Now a man came up to Jesus and asked, "Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?" 17 "Why do you ask me about what is good?" Jesus replied. "There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, obey the commandments." 18 "Which ones?" the man inquired. Jesus replied, "'Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, 19 honor your father and mother,' and 'love your neighbor as yourself.'" 20 "All these I have kept," the young man said. "What do I still lack?" 21 Jesus answered, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." 22 When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth.
23 Then Jesus said to his disciples, "I tell you the truth, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. 24 Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."
Wait a minute! Where is the part about believing on the Lord Jesus Christ? Why does Jesus tell him he must perform WORKS? Again, this is completely contrary to The Gospel of Grace!
On the other hand, look at John 3:16 (NIV) - "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
This verse seems to be in complete harmony with the Gospel of Grace. So the question before us is why is eternal life sometimes linked with belief, and sometimes linked with works?
Since I hold fast to the belief that scripture does not contradict itself, there must be an answer to this apparent contradiction. I believe the answer lies in how this word, "aionias", has been translated. As I've pointed out above, there are two possible meanings for this word - one is that of "eternal", and the other is that "lasting for an age". Since the same word is used in passages that refer to works and in passages that refer to belief, it seems to me that when the context surrounding the word is that of works, it must be referring to "age life", and when the context is that of belief in what Christ's work on the cross (as in John 3:16), then the meaning must be that of "eternal life". To always translate this word as eternal creates significant problems with the Gospel of Grace.
I will be exploring more of what this means in future articles. For now, any comments, thoughts, or rotten tomatoes anyone wants to throw my way?
Posted On Oct 23, 2005 at 9:41 PM
On Oct 26, 2005 Brian's wife wrote: It is interesting that such "math guy" is so interested in words!
On Nov 13, 2005 Trent wrote: Augustine (not my favorite church history personality) said this
Quote:
| "Distinguish the Ages, and the Scriptures harmonize." |
Though I have not had the time to examine any of the texts, I did notice something. The passages you quoted were for Matthew. At least those ones that seemed mistranslated.
But it was the Gospel of John that you quoted from re. The Gospel of Grace
Here is a question, are there any times, outside of the Gospel of Matthew that you have found a "mistranslation"?
Keeping in mind Augustine's quote, Matthew is written to the Jews, presenting their King and His offer of a Kingdom. You made note of the Kingdom in your excellent article The Kingdom of God.
This may or may not have anything to do with the meaning but it is worth considering at least.
Keep thinking, Keep meditating, Keep writing.
Have a great morning in Church,
Trent
ps
feel free to make the corrections on the links. I am still a newbie and am not always sure what I am doing wrong. Thanks.
Brian Replied: Hi Trent
Great question! I had not thought of it that way before. I did a quick search, and here's what I found.
Mark 10:17 - 22 is another account of the rich young ruler - again, he is told that to inherit eternal life, he must obey the law. Similar translations are given in the Luke account of this encounter. In all translations, they use the word eternal.
But perhaps more significant is Romans 2:1 - 8 (NIV)
Quote:
| You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge the other, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things. Now we know that God's judgment against those who do such things is based on truth. So when you, a mere man, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God's judgment? Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God's kindness leads you toward repentance? But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God's wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed. God "will give to each person according to what he has done." To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life. But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger. |
Notice first that Paul is writing to believers - this is clear from his introduction in chapter 1. Secondly, he starts chapter two with YOU have no excuse - he is specifically addressing his readers in this passage.
So we either need to acknowledge that we have to "seek glory, honor, and immortality" in order to receive eternal life (which contradicts the Gospel of Grace), or this word "eternal" has another meaning. This is the Greek word "aionios", and I believe this is another example of where the word is better translated "age" life. The last verse quoted above also indicates that we may be the recipients of "wrath and anger" - this would be not of the eternal sense, as our eternity is guaranteed by what Christ did for us on the cross, but this would be in the same sense as the previous verse - for the "age" - ie - the Millenial Kingdom.
There are more passages I could find, but right now I really need to head off to school for the day!
Thanks for the comment!
On Nov 14, 2005 Trent wrote: hmmmmm,
This will require some thought. I see your point. However, the thing I am not sure of is this, of what would "age" life consist? Are you thinking that it is like the promise of Exodus 20:12
“ Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the LORD your God is giving you."
In order to have it be a different translation, I think you would need to compare scripture with scripture and discover a solid alternate usage.
In regards to the Rich young ruler, we are still dealing with a Kingdom context. Jesus is pointing him toward the law. The purpose of the law is seen in Galations 3:24
Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith.
Jesus is not here dealing primarily with this young man's salvation. It seems as though he is pointing to the law to show him his need. When he fails to respond to that, having kept it outwardly, Our Lord then points to the need of his heart. It is here that he fails the test. Because the he was under the delusion of "keeping the whole law". He failed to see his need for "justification by faith" like his "father" Abraham.
James 2:23
And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” And he was called the friend of God.
The passage in Romans will require some more thought.
Thanks for the research and something to chew on.
Brian Replied: Hi Trent
With regards to "age" life - I believe that to be our life in the millennial kingdom. I think the distinction we must make has to do with works vs. belief. So much of scripture talks about obedience, seemingly in reference to salvation, and yet we also have much of scripture talking about belief in reference to salvation. Somehow those ideas must be reconciled.
For example - in Matthew 7, Jesus says (paraphrasing here - not quoting!) - that the ones who enter the kingdom of heaven are the ones that do the will of the Father. I have ALWAYS heard it preached that this refers to heaven, and our eternal salvation. And yet we clearly have works involved here. Likewise, the parable of the sheep and the goats - definitely works are tied into this judgment.
So - I suggest that we take the Greek word "aionios" (always translated eternal), and consider the context of the passage. If it is in reference to believing in the work Christ did on the cross (John 3:16), a correct understanding would be eternal, and refers to heaven. On the other hand, if it is in a passage where works are the issue, then I believe that a correct understanding would be "age", and is referring to the Millennial Kingdom.
In Romans, Paul talks about a man being justified by faith (Romans 3:28 NIV):
Quote:
| For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from observing the law. |
However, James talks about justification by works (James 2:24 NIV):
Quote:
| You see that a person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone. |
So - how does it all fit together? Martin Luther wanted to throw the book of James out of Scripture, because of its apparent contraditions to Paul's writing. Unless we are willing to do that, then we need to reconcile their statements.
I believe there are two levels of justification - one is addressed to the unsaved. Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved - you are justified in terms of your eternal destination based on faith alone. This is in perfect keeping with what Paul writes about.
Secondly, there is the justification that relates to our status in the Millennial Kingdom - we will be judged, as believers, at the Judgment Seat of Christ based on the work we have done. This is what James is addressing in his book. He is, after all, writing to believers, and so eternal issues are not even in question.
Perhaps I am way off base, but I have never found what I felt was a better explanation of the two justifications that are mentioned in scripture. This will also lead into different aspects of salvation, but that's for another day!
So - thoughts?
Brian.
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Brian's BlogMost articles on this blog describe what is known as "Kingdom Theology" - they deal with the doctrine of the Millennial Kingdom.If you are just finding this Blog, I would suggest that you start with the first article, rather than picking up in the middle. Enjoy your reading! ABOUT ME Current PostsA scriptural scavenger huntWhat do we want to be remembered for? How do we measure our churches? The Parable of the Sower What is Worship 
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