Shalom, Madad21.
Madad21 said:
2 Corinthians 4:18 in the Youngs Literal Translation reads
"we not looking to the things seen, but to the things not seen; for the things seen are temporary, but the things not seen are age-during".
But in most other versions it reads;
"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".
The words; Eternal, Age during and Age-abiding in the New Testament come from the same Greek root word "Aiōnios"
There is a popular understanding amongst some that the greek "aionios" is not so much to do
with the translation of aionios as ‘age–abiding’ or ‘age-during’, but the insistence
that ‘age-abiding’ means that which is strictly limited or temporary.
But what upsets the applecart is Paul's use of "aionios" in the above scripture, which seems to clearly point to the word aionios meaning eternal in direct contrast to what he says are things seen and temporary. He uses "aionios" to describe things not seen and eternal.
This brings in to question the common use of this word "aionios" throughout the NT.
Is it eternal or temporary
What supports "aionios" as Temporary and what for Eternal?
Is it meant to be eternal in some places but temporary in others?
Is the PS4 really better the the PS3?
Are Penny and Leonard going to get married?
and why is that man staring at me?
Questions, so many questions.
The first thing one must realize is that the Bible was not written in English, nor was it written in any Western culture. Obviously, right? However, we FORGET along the way in our studies these basic truths. One of the most difficult things to do when studying the Bible is REMEMBERING what you studied and the conclusions that you drew when you come to a new study! Thus, our REAL problem, being human beings, is keeping up the CONTINUITY, particularly if we find that we must change our mind about something!
Let's remember that the
Tanakh (the Old Testament) was originally written in Hebrew with a few later portions written in Aramaic (the language of Syria or Aram as a go-between, translation language, particularly when Y'hudah [Judah] was in captivity to Babylon and Persia.) The
B'rit Chadashah (the New Testament), too, was most likely written originally in at least Aramaic (if not Hebrew). Only later was it translated into Greek, and the Greek copies are all we have (with a few exceptions) now. This has been proven by the Hebraisms in the Greek text and the Hebrew grammar techniques, Hebrew idioms, and Hebrew mannerisms employed in the text, although written with the Greek words. Even the poetry found in the
B'rit Chadashah is patterned after Hebrew poetry.
Therefore, when "digging deeper" into the Scriptures, in either portion of the Word of God, one would be wise to leave the English out of it until the VERY END of the study, as much as is humanly possible.
That said, I know, I know, that's practically impossible to do, particularly if we only speak the one language and we understand thoughts in English, right? However, it emphasizes how much we are dependent upon study of the ORIGINAL LANGUAGES (even though we don't have the original manuscripts).
Now to answer the objection before it's voiced, yes, we ARE to be led by the Spirit in our studies; however, He uses what He has to work with! If we aren't studying God's Word - putting what we read into our minds - DAILY, then we're not doing OUR part in giving Him the best we have!
The Greek word "
aioon" is used 125 times in the B'rit Chadashah. It's adjectival form, "
aioonios," is used 72 times. And, the word from which "
aioon" is thought to come, "
aei," is used 12 times. (I use a transliteration scheme such that
a = alpha,
e = epsilon,
i = iota,
k = kappa,
n = nu,
o = omicron,
r = rho,
s = sigma,
ch = chi, and
oo = omega.)
Here are the Strong's definitions:
NT:104 aei (ah-eye'); from an obsolete primary noun (apparently meaning continued duration); "ever," by qualification regularly; by implication, earnestly;
KJV - always, ever.
NT:165 aioon (ahee-ohn'); from the same as NT:104; properly, an age; by extension, perpetuity (also past); by implication, the world; specially (Jewish) a Messianic period (present or future):
KJV - age, course, eternal, (for) ever (-more), [n-] ever, (beginning of the while the) world (began, without end). Compare NT:5550.
NT:166 aioonios (ahee-o'-nee-os); from NT:165; perpetual (also used of past time, or past and future as well):
KJV - eternal, for ever, everlasting, world (began).
(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.)
The definition for
aioon also suggests to "Compare NT:5550." So, here are two more words:
NT:5550 chronos (khron'-os); of uncertain derivation; a space of time (in general, and thus properly distinguished from NT:2540, which designates a fixed or special occasion; and from NT:165, which denotes a particular period) or interval; by extension, an individual opportunity; by implication, delay:
KJV - years old, season, space, (X often-) time (-s), (a) while.
NT:2540 kairos (kahee-ros'); of uncertain affinity; an occasion, i.e. set or proper time:
KJV - always, opportunity, (convenient, due) season, (due, short, while) time, a while. Compare NT:5550.
(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.)
So, to summarize Strong's,
chronos = a space of time or an interval, an individual opportunity, or a delay
kairos = an occasion, a set time, a proper time, a fixed occasion, or a special occasion
aioon = an age, perpetuity, the world, or a Messianic period
aioonios = perpetual
aei = ever, regularly, earnestly
However, these definitions are only half the battle. HOW these words are used and with WHAT other words they are used is the other half - the LION'S SHARE - of the battle! To find this information, there is no substitute for looking up each occurrence of each word in its Greek context. So,...
The Greek word
aioon is found in Matthew 6:13; 12:32; 13:22, 39, 40, 59; 21:19; 24:3; 28:20; Mark 3:29; 4:19; 10:30; 11:14; Luke 1:33, 55, 70; 16:8; 18:30; 20:34, 35; John 4:14; 6:51, 58; 8:35 (2x), 51, 52; 9:32; 10:28; 11:26; 12:34; 13:8; 14:16; Acts 3:21; 15:18; Romans 1:25; 9:5; 11:36; 12:2; 16:27; 1 Corinthians 1:20; 2:6 (2x), 7, 8; 3:18; 8:13; 10:11; 2 Corinthians 4:4; 9:9; 11:31; Galatians 1:4, 5 (2x); Ephesians 1:21; 2:2, 7; 3:9, 11, 21 (2x); 6:12; Philippians 4:20; Colossians 1:26; 1 Timothy 1:17 (3x); 6:17; 2 Timothy 4:10, 18 (2x); Titus 2:12; Hebrew 1:2, 8 (2x); 5:6; 6:5, 20; 7:17, 21, 24, 28; 9:26; 11:3; 13:8, 21 (2x); 1 Peter 1:23, 25; 4:11 (2x); 5:11; 2 Peter 2:17; 3:18; 1 John 2:17; 2 John 2; Jude 13, 25 (2x); Revelation 1:6 (2x), 18; 4:9 (2x), 10 (2x); 5:13 (2x), 14; 7:12 (2x); 10:6 (2x); 11:15 (2x); 14:11 (2x); 15:7 (2x); 19:3 (2x); 20:10 (2x); and 22:5 (2x).
The Greek word
aioonios is found in Matthew 18:8; 19:16, 29; 25:41, 46 (2x); Mark 3:29; 10:17, 30; Luke 10:25; 16:9; 18:18, 30; John 3:15, 16, 36; 4:14, 36; 5:24, 39; 6:27, 40, 47, 54, 68; 10:28; 12:25, 50; 17:2, 3; Acts 13:46, 48; Romans 5:21; 6:22, 23; 16:25, 26; 2 Corinthians 4:17, 18; 5:1; Galatians 6:8; Philippians 4:20; 2 Thessalonians 1:9; 2:16; 1 Timothy 1:16; 6:12, 16, 19; 2 Timothy 1:9; 2:10; Titus 1:2 (2x); 3:7; Philemon 15; Hebrews 5:9; 6:2; 9:12, 14, 15; 13:20; 1 Peter 5:10; 2 Peter 1:11; 1 John 1:2; 2:25; 3:15; 5:11, 13, 20; Jude 7, 21; Revelation 1:8; and 14:6.
The Greek word
aei is found in Mark 15:8; Acts 7:51; 2 Corinthians 4:11; 6:10; Philippians 4:4; Colossians 4:6; 1 Thessalonians 2:16; 2 Thessalonians 2:13; Titus 1:12; Hebrews 3:10; 1 Peter 3:15; and 2 Peter 1:12.
This is just a start for the Greek language of the
B'rit Chadashah. One would still have to deal with the Hebrew (and Aramaic) of the
Tanakh! For instance, the primary word translated as "for ever" in the KJV is `
owlaam, spelled ayin-
cholem-(with or without vav)-lamed-
qamets-mem. Here are the Hebrew words and their definitions (and origins) that were translated "for ever" in the KJV:
OT:5769 `owlaam (o-lawm'); or `olaam (o-lawm'); from OT:5956; properly, concealed, i.e. the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or future), i.e. (practically) eternity; frequentatively, adverbial (especially with prepositional prefix) always:
KJV - alway (-s), ancient (time), any more, continuance, eternal, (for, [n-]) ever (-lasting, -more, of old), lasting, long (time), (of) old (time), perpetual, at any time, (beginning of the) world (+without end). Compare OT:5331, OT:5703.
OT:5956 `alam (aw-lam'); a primitive root; to veil from sight, i.e. conceal (literally or figuratively):
KJV - any ways, blind, dissembler, hide (self), secret (thing).
OT:5331 netsach (neh'-tsakh); or neetsach (nay'-tsakh); from OT:5329; properly, a goal, i.e. the bright object at a distance travelled towards; hence (figuratively), splendor, or (subjectively) truthfulness, or (objectively) confidence; but usually (adverbially), continually (i.e. to the most distant point of view);
KJV - alway (-s), constantly, end, (+n-) ever (more), perpetual, strength, victory.
OT:5329 naatsach (naw-tsakh'); a primitive root; properly, to glitter from afar, i.e. to be eminent (as a superintendent, especially of the Temple services and its music); also (as denominative from OT:5331), to be permanent:
KJV - excel, chief musician (singer), oversee (-r), set forward.
OT:5704 `ad (ad); properly, the same as OT:5703 (used as a preposition, adverb or conjunction; especially with a preposition); as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with):
KJV - against, and, as, at, before, by (that), even (to), for (-asmuch as), [hither-] to, how long, into, as long (much) as, (so) that, till, toward, until, when, while, (+as) yet.
OT:5703 `ad (ad); from OT:5710; properly, a (peremptory) terminus, i.e. (by implication) duration, in the sense of advance or perpetuity (substantially as a noun, either with or without a preposition):
KJV - eternity, ever (-lasting, -more), old, perpetually, world without end.
OT:5710 `aadaah (aw-daw'); a primitive root; to advance, i.e. pass on or continue; causatively, to remove; specifically, to bedeck (i.e. bring an ornament upon):
KJV - adorn, deck (self), pass by, take away.
OT:3605 kol (kole); or (Jer 33:8) kowl (kole); from OT:3634; properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense):
KJV - (in) all (manner, [ye]), altogether, any (manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as many as, [no-] thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole, whoso (-ever).
OT:3634 kaalal (kaw-lal'); a primitive root; to complete:
KJV - (make) perfect.
OT:6783 tsemiythuth (tsem-ee-thooth'); or tsemithuth (tsem-ee-thooth'); from OT:6789; excision, i.e. destruction; used only (adverbially) with prepositional prefix to extinction, i.e. perpetually:
KJV - ever.
(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.)
Think of "`
owlaam" as looking down a straight railroad track to the vanishing point where the tracks appear to intersect. If the tracks kept going indefinitely, how far could you go toward the vanishing point?
The thing NOT to do is to trust in any one English version of the Bible! They are ALL works of men, of fallible human beings. They ALL are not the actual inspired Word of God. They ALL have their unique set of weaknesses, just as they ALL have their unique set of strengths. Robert Young's Literal Translation has some strengths, but it also has its own unique set of foibles, just as does the King James Authorized Version.
For instance, it is a HUGE error to translate the present tense of the Hebrew narrative into the present tense of the English language. We don't tell narratives that way in Western thought! We tell English narratives in the PAST tense! To tell them in the present tense confuses most people. It would be good for us to remember that Hebrew did use the present tense; however, for clarity's sake, one should not translate it that way.
Now, in the above passage, it's not enough to simply look at the word
aioonios, or rather,
aioonia, and its definition. One must also look at the context and the comparison embedded within the passage. What is the Greek word, for instance, translated "temporary" or "temporal?" How is it meant to compare with this word "
aioonios?" The word is "
proskaira," a form of "
proskairos," and it comes from "
pros" and "
kairos" above. It means "forward to the occasion" or "toward the occasion." Thus, it is related to the word "kairos," and "kairos" would be the closest word by translation to the Hebrew word "
mow`eed."
OT:4150 mow`eed (mo-ade'); or mo`eed (mo-ade'); or (feminine) mow`aadaah (2 Chron 8:13) (mo-aw-daw'); from OT:3259; properly, an appointment, i.e. a fixed time or season; specifically, a festival; conventionally a year; by implication, an assembly (as convened for a definite purpose); technically the congregation; by extension, the place of meeting; also a signal (as appointed beforehand):
KJV - appointed (sign, time), (place of, solemn) assembly, congregation, (set, solemn) feast, (appointed, due) season, solemn (-ity), synogogue, (set) time (appointed).
OT:4151 mow`aad (mo-awd'); from OT:3259; properly, an assembly [as in OT:4150]; figuratively, a troop:
KJV - appointed time.
OT:3259 yaa`ad (yaw-ad'); a primitive root; to fix upon (by agreement or appointment); by implication, to meet (at a stated time), to summon (to trial), to direct (in a certain quarter or position), to engage (for marriage): -agree, make an) appoint (-ment, a time), assemble (selves), betroth, gather (selves, together), meet (together), set (a time).
(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.)
Therefore, this word is related to the yearly keeping of holy days or "holidays," such as
Pesach (Passover) and
Shavu'owt (Pentecost, the JEWISH commemoration of the giving of the Law, "fifty" days after Passover).
Furthermore, what is the context talking about?
2 Corinthians 4:1-5:5
4:1 God has shown us such mercy that we do not lose courage as we do the work he has given us. 2 Indeed, we refuse to make use of shameful underhanded methods, employing deception or distorting God’s message. On the contrary, by making very clear what the truth is, we commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God. 3 So if indeed our Good News is veiled, it is veiled only to those in the process of being lost. 4 They do not come to trust because the god of the ‘olam hazeh has blinded their minds, in order to prevent them from seeing the light shining from the Good News about the glory of the Messiah, who is the image of God. 5 For what we are proclaiming is not ourselves, but the Messiah Yeshua as Lord, with ourselves as slaves for you because of Yeshua. 6 For it is the God who once said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” who has made his light shine in our hearts, the light of the knowledge of God’s glory shining in the face of the Messiah Yeshua.
7 But we have this treasure in clay jars, so that it will be evident that such overwhelming power comes from God and not from us. 8 We have all kinds of troubles, but we are not crushed; we are perplexed, yet not in despair; 9 persecuted, yet not abandoned; knocked down, yet not destroyed. 10 We always carry in our bodies the dying of Yeshua, so that the life of Yeshua may be manifested in our bodies too. 11 For we who are alive are always being handed over to death for Yeshua’s sake, so that Yeshua’s life also might be manifested in our mortal bodies. 12 Thus death is at work in us but life in you.
13 The Tanakh says, “I trusted, therefore I spoke.” Since we have that same Spirit who enables us to trust, we also trust and therefore speak; 14 because we know that he who raised the Lord Yeshua will also raise us with Yeshua and bring us along with you into his presence. 15 All this is for your sakes, so that as grace flows out to more and more people, it may cause thanksgiving to overflow and bring glory to God.
16 This is why we do not lose courage. Though our outer self is heading for decay, our inner self is being renewed daily. 17 For our light and transient troubles are achieving for us an everlasting glory whose weight is beyond description. 18 We concentrate not on what is seen but on what is not seen, since things seen are temporary, but things not seen are eternal.
5:1 We know that when the tent which houses us here on earth is torn down, we have a permanent building from God, a building not made by human hands, to house us in heaven. 2 For in this tent, our earthly body, we groan with desire to have around us the home from heaven that will be ours. 3 With this around us we will not be found naked. 4 Yes, while we are in this body, we groan with the sense of being oppressed: it is not so much that we want to take something off, but rather to put something on over it; so that what must die may be swallowed up by the Life. 5 Moreover, it is God who has prepared us for this very thing, and as a pledge he has given us his Spirit.
CJB
He is talking about our BODIES! Our current, physical bodies are temporary, and they will be changed. Our future, physical bodies are said to be IMMORTAL, INCORRUPTIBLE, and GLORIOUS (GLOWING BRIGHTLY)!
Hope this has helped you.