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G165 αἰών (aiṓn)

Greek 📖 Greek Word Study
Noun, Masculine
‹ G164 Greek Dictionary G166 ›

Quick Definition

αἰών, ῶνος, ὁ n.m. an age, a cycle of time

Strong's Definition

properly, an age; by extension, perpetuity (also past); by implication, the world; specially (Jewish) a Messianic period (present or future)

Derivation: from the same as G104 (ἀεί);

KJV Usage: age, course, eternal, (for) ever(-more), (n-)ever, (beginning of the , while the) world (began, without end)

UBS Dictionary of the Greek New Testament

noun, m. | -ῶνος | αἰώνιος

67.143 · Time · Indefinite Units of Time: Age, Lifetime, Interval, Period

age, era a unit of time as a particular stage or period of history In a number of languages there is no specific term for ‘age’ or ‘era.’ The closest approximation in the context of MAT 12:32 may be ‘not in these many years and not in the many years which will follow.’
In 1TI 1:17 (τῷ δὲ βασιλεῖ τῶν αἰώνων literally ‘to the king of the ages’) the genitive phrase τῶν αἰώνων is better understood as an abstract of unlimited extent of time, and accordingly, one may translate more accurately as ‘the eternal king.’ Compare 67.95.

MAT 12:32 · MAT 13:22 · MAT 13:39 · MAT 13:40 · MAT 13:49 · MAT 24:3 · MAT 28:20 · MRK 10:30 · LUK 18:30 · LUK 20:35 · 1CO 1:20 · 1CO 2:6 · 1CO 2:6 · 1CO 2:7 · 1CO 2:8 · 1CO 10:11 · 2CO 4:4 · GAL 1:4 · EPH 1:21 · EPH 2:7 · EPH 3:11 · 1TI 1:17 · 2TI 4:10 · TIT 2:12 · HEB 1:8 · HEB 6:5 · HEB 9:26

1.2 · Geographical Objects and Features · Universe, Creation

universe the universe, perhaps with some associated meaning of ‘eon’ or ‘age’ in the sense of the transitory nature of the universe (but this is doubtful in the contexts of HEB 1:2 and HEB 11:3) In HEB 1:2 it may be essential in a number of languages to translate ‘he is the one through whom God created everything,’ though in some instances a more idiomatic and satisfactory way of rendering the meaning would involve a phrase such as ‘... created both the earth and the sky’ or ‘... the heavens and the earth.’

HEB 1:2 · HEB 11:3

41.38 · Behavior and Related States · Particular Patterns of Behavior

world system, worlds standards, world the system of practices and standards associated with secular society (that is, without reference to any demands or requirements of God) αἰών in 1CO 3:18 may also be rendered as ‘by the way in which people in this world think’ or ‘by the things which people in this world think are right.’ In MRK 4:19 the phrase αἱ μέριμναι τοῦ αἰῶνος may be rendered as ‘the cares which people in this world have’ or ‘the way in which people in this world worry about things.’

MRK 4:19 · ROM 12:2 · 1CO 1:20 · 1CO 3:18 · 2CO 4:4 · 1TI 6:17 · 2TI 4:10

67.25 · Time · A Point of Time with Reference to Other Points of Time: Before, Long Ago, Now, At the Same Time, When, About, After

Collocation: ἀπ᾽ αἰῶνος

long ago, very long ago (an idiom, literally: from an age) a point of time preceding another point of time, with a very long interval between (more emphatic than πάλαι[a], ἔκπαλαι[a], 67.24) Some persons have concluded that ἀπ ̓ αἰῶνος must be understood in the sense of ‘from an earlier age,’ but there seems to be no justification for reading a dispensational implication into this idiomatic expression.

LUK 1:70 · ACT 3:21 · ACT 15:18

67.133 · Time · Duration of Time with Reference to Some Point of Time: Until, Delay, Still, From

Collocation: ἐκ τοῦ αἰῶνος · ἀπὸ τῶν αἰώνων · πρὸ παντὸς τοῦ αἰῶνος

since all time, from all ages past, from the beginning of time an exceedingly long period of time from an assumed beginning up to the present

JHN 9:32 · EPH 3:9 · COL 1:26 · JUD 1:25

67.95 · Time · Duration of Time without Reference to Points or Units of Time: Time, Spend Time, Always, Eternal, Old, Immediately, Young

Collocation: εἰς αἰῶνα · εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα · εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας · εἰς ἡμέραν αἰῶνος · εἰς παντὰς τοὺς αἰῶνας · εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα τοῦ αἰῶνος · εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα τῶν αἰώνων · εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων

always, forever, forever and ever, eternally, (with neg.) never unlimited duration of time, with particular focus upon the future See also LUK 1:33; 2PE 3:18; JUD 1:25; HEB 1:8. The more elaborate expressions employing αἰών are somewhat more emphatic in meaning and are to be found especially in the solemn style of doxologies.

MAT 21:19 · MRK 3:29 · MRK 11:14 · LUK 1:33 · LUK 1:55 · JHN 4:14 · JHN 6:51 · JHN 6:58 · JHN 8:35 · JHN 8:35 · JHN 8:51 · JHN 8:52 · JHN 10:28 · JHN 11:26 · JHN 12:34 · JHN 13:8 · JHN 14:16 · ROM 1:25 · ROM 9:5 · ROM 11:36 · 1CO 8:13 · 2CO 9:9 · 2CO 11:31 · GAL 1:5 · GAL 1:5 · EPH 3:21 · EPH 3:21 · PHP 4:20 · PHP 4:20 · 1TI 1:17 · 1TI 1:17 · 2TI 4:18 · 2TI 4:18 · HEB 1:8 · HEB 5:6 · HEB 6:20 · HEB 7:17 · HEB 7:21 · HEB 7:24 · HEB 7:28 · HEB 13:21 · 1PE 1:25 · 1PE 4:11 · 1PE 4:11 · 1PE 5:11 · 2PE 3:18 · 1JN 2:17 · 2JN 1:2 · JUD 1:13 · JUD 1:25 · REV 1:6 · REV 1:6 · REV 1:18 · REV 1:18 · REV 4:9 · REV 4:9 · REV 4:10 · REV 4:10 · REV 5:13 · REV 5:13 · REV 7:12 · REV 7:12 · REV 10:6 · REV 10:6 · REV 11:15 · REV 11:15 · REV 14:11 · REV 14:11 · REV 15:7 · REV 15:7 · REV 19:3 · REV 19:3 · REV 20:10 · REV 20:10 · REV 22:5 · REV 22:5

12.44 · Supernatural Beings and Powers · Supernatural Powers

Collocation: αἰὼν τοῦ κόσμου τούτου

power, authority, lordship, ruler, wicked force title for supernatural forces and powers: a supernatural power having some particular role in controlling the destiny and activities of human beings Some scholars have believed that it is possible to reconstruct at least in part some of the hierarchy represented by these various supernatural forces and powers, on the basis of the neoplatonic system of nine such powers arranged in three orders of three each. NT terminology and usage does not, however, lend itself to such a classification, and it is difficult, if not impossible, to determine what are the significant differences between these supernatural powers and forces.
For the most part, translators have endeavored to render the various terms in somewhat different ways, for example, ἐξουσία as ‘authority’; δύναμις as ‘power’; κυριότης as ‘ruler’; and phrases such as τὰ πνευματικὰ τῆς πονηρίας ἐν τοῖς ἐπουρανίοις as ‘wicked spiritual forces in the heavenly world.’ In a number of languages, however, there are simply not enough terms to designate various kinds of powers, authorities, and forces which could be employed in speaking of such supernatural impersonal powers. Accordingly, some translators have simply used a phrase such as ‘any and all kinds of supernatural powers.’ Where it is possible to make certain lexical distinctions between terms and phrases, this, of course, should be done, but in a number of contexts this may be impossible, and accordingly, some explanation in a marginal note may be required if the reader is to understand satisfactorily the intent of the passages in question.

EPH 2:2

12.24 · Supernatural Beings and Powers · Supernatural Beings

Collocation: ὁ θεὸς τοῦ αἰῶνος τούτου

the god of this world, the Devil (a title for the Devil, literally: the god of this world) one who has power or authority over this world (or this age) and is so recognized by people of the world The expression ‘the god of this world’ may be understood in two senses: (1) the god who rules over this world or (2) the god whom the people of this world trust or worship. Though many persons have traditionally interpreted ‘the god of this world’ as the one who rules over this world, it is the second meaning which probably fits more accurately in the context of 2CO 4:4.

2CO 4:4

11.16 · Groups and Classes of Persons and Members of Such Groups and Classes · Socio-Religious

Collocation: υἱοὶ τοῦ αἰῶνος τούτου

non-religious people, people of this world, people of this age (an idiom, literally: sons of this age) persons who hold to the value system of the world In some instances ‘the people of this world’ may be rendered as ‘the people who live like most people in the world’ or ‘the people who are concerned only about what people say.’ Sometimes the identification with the world is expressed in contrast with people’s attitude concerning God, for example, ‘people who have no use for God.’

LUK 16:8 · LUK 20:34

67.87 · Time · Duration of Time without Reference to Points or Units of Time: Time, Spend Time, Always, Eternal, Old, Immediately, Young

Collocation: ἐχθὲς καὶ σήμερον καὶ εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας

always, eternally, past and present and future (an idiom, literally: yesterday, today, and forever) an unlimited extension of time, from the past into the future

HEB 13:8

UBS Dictionary of the Greek New Testament © United Bible Societies, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

αἰών, -dvos, ὁ, (as if αἰὲν ---- poet. for dei —ay, so teaches Aristot. de caelo 1, 11, 9, vol. i. p. 279», 27; [so Proclus lib. iv. in Plat. Timaeo p. 241; et al.]; but more probable is the conjecture [ef. Etym. Magn. 41, 11] that αἰών is so connected with ἄημι to breathe, blow, as to denote properly that which causes life, vital force; cf. Harless on Eph. ii. 3). [But αἰών (ΞΞΞ αἰξών) is now generally connected with αἰεί, ἀεί, Skr. évas (aivas), Lat. aevum, Goth. aivs, Germ. ewig, Eng. aye, ever; cf. Curtius § 585; Fick, Pt. i. p.27; Vaniéek p. 79; Benfey, Wurzellex. i. p. 7 sq.; Schleicher, Compend. ed. 2, p. 400; Pott, Etym. Forsch., ed. 2, ii. 2, p. 442; Ebeling, Lex. Hom. s. v.; L. and S. s. v. det; Cremer, edd. 2, 3,4 (although in ed. 1 he agreed with Prof. Grimm); Pott and Fick, however, connect it with Skr. dyus rather than évas, although both these forms are derived from i to go (see Pott, Schleicher, Fick, VWanitek, u. s.).] In αιὼν Greek authors 1. age (Lat. aevum, which is αἰών with the Aeolic digamma), a human lifetime (in Hom., Hdt., Pind., Tragie poets), life itself (Hom. Il. 5, 685 μὲ καὶ λίποι αἰών etc.). 2. an unbroken age, perpetuity of time, eternity, (Plat. Tim. p. 37 d. 38 ἃ. ; Tim. Loer. p- 97d. [quoted belew]; Plut., al.). With this signification the Hebrew 2nd Rabbinic idea of the word o71p (of which in the Sept. αἰών is the equiv.) combines in the bibl. and eccl. writ. Hence in the N. T. used 1. a. uniy.: in the phrases εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα, Day (Gen. vi. 3), for ever, Jn. vi. 51, 58; xiv. 16; Heb. v. 63 Vi. 20, ete.; and strengthened εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα τοῦ αἰῶνος, Heb. i. 8 [fr. Ps. xliv. (xlv.) 7 Alex., cf. W. § 36, 2] (Tob. vi. 18; Ps. Ixxxii. (ixxxiii.) 18, ete.); εἰς αἰῶνα, Jude 13; εἰς ἡμέραν αἰῶνος unto the day which is eternity (gen. of appos.), 2 Pet. iii. 18 [ef. Sir. xviii. 10 (9)]; with a negation: ever, Jn. iv. 14 [Lchm. in br.]; viii. 51; x. 28; xi. 26; xiii. 8; 1 Co. viii. 13; or not for ever, not always, Jn. viii. 35; εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας unto the ages, i. e. as long as time shall be (the plur. denotes the individual ages whose sum is eternity): [Lk. i. 33]; Ro. i. 25; ix. 5; xi. 36; [xvi. 27 R G Tr WH]; 2 Co. xi. 31; Heb. xiii. 8; εἰς πάντας τ. αἰῶνας, Jude 25; εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων (in which expression the endless future is divided up into various periods, the shorter of which are comprehended in the longer [ef. W. § 36, 2; among the various phrases to express duration composed of this word with prep. or adjuncts, (which to the number of more than fifteen are to be found in the Sept., cf. Vaugkan on Ro. i. 25), this combination of the double plural seems to be peculiar to the N. T.]): [Ro. xvi. 27 L ΤΊ; Gal. i. 5; [Phil. iv. 20]; 1 Tim. i. ioe Τ τῆς ἰν: 185. 1 Pet. ἢν: Uti); Rev: 1. 6; 18; av. DRS Ve IDE Ὑ1 Ἐν ἈΞ OR ΧΙ 15. χυν: 7: Σῖχ. 5.; aoe 10; xxii. 5; εἰς αἰῶνας αἰώνων, Rev. xiv. 11; 6 αἰὼν τῶν αἰώνων the (whole) age embracing the (shorter) ages, Eph. iii. 21 (cf. Mey. [or Ellic.] ad loe.); ἀπὸ τῶν αἰώνων from the ages down, from eternity, Col. i. 26; Eph. iii. 9; πρὸ τῶν αἰώνων before time was, before the foundation of the world, 1 Co. ii. 7; πρόθεσις τῶν αἰώνων eternal purpose, Eph. iii. 11. ὍὌ. in hyperbolic and popular usage: ἀπὸ τοῦ αἰῶνος (ον, Gen. vi. 4, cf. Deut. xxxii. 7) from the most ancient time down, (within the memory of man), from of old, Lk. i. 70; Acts iii. 21; xv. 18, (Tob. iv. 12 οἱ πατέρες ἡμῶν ἀπὸ τοῦ αἰῶνος ; Longin. 34 τοὺς ἀπ᾽ αἰῶνος ῥήτορας) ; also ἐκ τοῦ αἰῶνος, Jn. ix. 32, (1 Esdr. ii. 19, 22 (23); Diod. iv. 83 of the temple of Venus τὴν ἐξ αἰῶνος ἀρχὴν λαβόν, 17, 1 τοὺς ἐξ αἰῶνος βασιλεῖς, [excerpt. de legat. xl.] p. 632 τὴν ἐξ αἰῶνος παραδεδομένην ἐλευθερίαν). 2. by meton. of the container for the contained, of αἰῶνες denotes the worlds, the universe, i. e. the aggregate of things contained in time, [on the plur. cf. W. 176 (166); B. 24 (21)]: Heb. i. 2; xi. 3; and (Ὁ) 1 Tim. i. 17; [Rev. xv. 3 WH txt.; cf. Ps. exliv. (exlv.) 13; Tob. xiii. 6, 10; Sir. xxxvi. 22; Philo de plant. Noé § 12 bis; de mundo § 7; Joseph. antt. 1, 18, 7; Clem. Rom. 1Cor. 61, 2; 35, 3 (πατὴρ τ. a.); 55, 6 (θεὸς τ. a.); Constt. Ap. 7, 34; 2

Mounce Concise Greek Dictionary

αἰών aiōn 122x

pr. a period of time of significant character; life; an era; an age: hence, a state of things marking an age or era; the present order of nature; the natural condition of man, the world; ὁ αἰών, illimitable duration, eternity; as also, οἱ αἰῶνες, ὁ αἰῶν τῶν αἰώνων, οἱ αἰῶνες τῶν αἰώνων; by an Aramaism οἱ αἰῶνες, the material universe, Heb. 1:2

Abbott-Smith Greek Lexicon

αἰών, -ῶνος, ὁ,

[in LXX chiefly for עַד ,עוֹלָם;]

in cl., like Lat. aevum (LS, MM, VGT, s.v.), a space of time, as, a lifetime, generation, period of history, an indefinitely long period; in NT of an indefinitely long period, an age, eternity, usually c. prep. (MM, VGT); of the past: ἀπ’ αἰ. (cf. Heb. מֵעוֹלָם), Lk 1:70;

of the future: εἰς τ. αἰ. (cf. לְעוֹלָם), forever, Mt 21:19; id., c. neg., never, Jo 4:14; more strongly, εἰς τὸν αἰ. τοῦ αἰ., He 1:8(LXX); εἰς τοὺς αἰ., Mt 6:13; εἰς τοὺς αἰ. τῶν αἰ. (cf. Is 45:17, עַד־עוֹלְמֵי עַד), Ro 16:27, LT; cf. also Eph 3:21, II Pe 3:18, Ju 25, Re 14:11.

οἱ αἰ., the worlds, the universe, "the sum of the periods of time, including all that is manifested in them": He 1:2 11:3 (cf. I Ti 1:17, where τῶν αἰ. are prob. "the ages or world-periods which when summed up make eternity".

the present age (Heb. הָעוֹלָם הַזֶּה): ὁ αἰ., Mt 13:22; ὁ αἰ. οὗτος, Mt 12:32; ὁ νῦν αἰ., I Ti 6:17; ὁ ἐνεστὼς αἰ., Ga 1:4; similarly, of the time after Christ's second coming (הָעוֹלָם הַבָּא), ὁ αἰ. ἐκεῖνος, Lk 20:35; ὁ αἰ. μέλλων, Mt 12:32; ὁ αἰ. ὁ ἐρχόμενος, Mk 10:30.

SYN.: κόσμος, the ordered universe, the scheme of material things; οἰκουμένη, the inhabited earth; in contrast with both of which αἰ. is the world under aspects of time (cf. Westc. on He 1:2; Tr., Syn., §lix; Thayer, s.v., αἰ.; Cremer, 74, 620; MM, VGT).

Trench — Synonyms of the New Testament

Κόσμος our Translators have rendered ‘ world’ in every instance but one (1 Pet. iii. 3); αἰών often, though by no means invariably so; for (not to speak of εἰς αἰῶνα) see Ephes. ii. 2, 7; Col.i. 26. It may be a question whether we might not have made more use of ‘age’ in our Version: we have employed it but rarely,—only, indeed, in the two places which I have cited last. ‘Age’ may sound to us inadequate now: but it is quite possible that, so used, it would little by little have expanded and adapted itself to the larger meaning of the Greek word for which it stood. One must regret that, by this or some other like device, our Translators did not mark the difference between κόσμος (=mundus), the world contemplated under aspects of space, and αἰών (=seculum), the same contemplated under aspects of time; for the Latin, no less than the Greek, has two words, where we have, or have acted as though we had, but one. In all those passages (such as Matt. xiii. 39; 1 Cor. x. 11) which speak of the end or consummation of the αἰών (there are none which speak of the end of the κόσμος), as in others which speak of “ the wisdom of this world” (1 Cor. ii. 6), “the god of this world” (2 Cor. iv. 4), “the children of this world” (Luke xvi. 8), it must be admitted that we are losers by the course which we have adopted. Κόσμος, connected with κόμειν, ‘comere,’ “ comptus,’ has a history of much interest in more respects than one. Suidas traces four successive significations through which it passed: σημαίνει δὲ ὁ κόσμος τέσσαρα, εὐπρέπειαν, τόδε τὸ πᾶν, τὴν τάξιν, τὸ πλῆθος παρὰ τῇ Γραφῇ. Originally signifying ‘ornament,’ and obtaining this meaning once in the N. T. (1 Pet. iii. 3), where we render it ‘adorning,’ and hardly obtaining any other in the Old (thus the stars are 0 κόσμος τοῦ οὐρανοῦ, Deut. xvii. 3; Isai. xxiv. 21; cf. xlix. §ux. SYNONYMS OF ΤῊΜ NEW TESTAMENT. 215 18; Jer. iv. 30; Ezek. vii. 20; Ecclus. xliii. 9); from this it passed to that of order, or arrangement (‘lucidus ordo’), or beauty as springing out of these; εὐπρέπεια and τάξις, as Suidas gives it above, or καλλωπισμός, κατασκευή, τάξις, κατάστασις, κάλλος, as Hesychius. Pythagoras is recorded as the first who transferred κόσμος to the sum total of the material universe (for a history of this transfer see a note in Humboldt’s Cosmos, 1846, Engl. edit. p. 371), desiring thereby to express his sense of the beauty and order which are everywhere to be traced therein: so Plutarch (De Plac. Phil. i. 5) tells us; while others report that he called by this name not the whole material universe, but only the heaven; claiming for it this name on the same ground, namely, on that of the well-ordered arrangement which was visible therein (Diogenes Laertius, viii. 48) ; and we often find the word so used ; as by Xenophon, Mem.i.1. 11; by Isocrates, i. 179; by Plato (Zum. 28 Ὁ), who yet employs it also in the larger and what we might call more ideal sense, as embracing and including within itself, and in the bonds of one communion and fellowship heaven and earth and gods and men (Gorg. 508 a) ; by Aristotle (De Mund. 2; and see Bentley, Works, vol. i. p. 3913 vol. ii. p. 117). ‘Mundus’ in Latin,—‘ digestio et ordinatio singularum quarumque rerum formatarum et distinctarum,’ as Augustine (De Gen. ad Lit. c. 3) calls it,—followed in nearly the same track as the Greek κόσμος: giving occasion to profound plays of words, such as ‘O munde immunde,’ in which the same illustrious Church-teacher delights. Thus Pliny (H. N. ii. 3): Quem κόσμον Greci nomine ornamenti appellaverunt, eum nos a perfecté absolutdque elegantid mundum ;” ef. Cicero (De Universo, 10): ‘Hunc hic varietate distinctum bene Greci κόσμον, nos lucentem mundum nominamus ;’ cf. De Nat. Deor. ii. 22; but onthe inferiority as a philosophical expression of ‘mundus’ to κόσμος, see Sayce, Principles of Comparative Philology, p.98. From this signification of κόσμος as the material uni216 SYNONYMS OF THE NEW TESTAMENT. § ux. verse, which is frequent in Scripture (Matt. xiii. 35 ; John xvii. 5; xxi. 25; Acts xviii. 24; Rom. i. 20), followed that of κόσμος as that external framework of things in which man lives and moves, which exists for him and of which he constitutes the moral centre (John xvi. 21: 1 Cor. xiv. 10; I John iii. 17); here very nearly equivalent to οἰκουμένη (Matt. xxiv. 14; Acts xix. 27); and then the men themselves, the sum total of persons living in the world (John i. 29; iv. 42; 2 Cor. v. 19); and then upon this, and ethically, all not of the ἐκκλησία," alienated from the life of God and by wicked works enemies to Him (1 Cor. i. 20, 21; 2 Cor. vii. 10; Jam. iv. 4). I need hardly call attention here to the immense part which κόσμος thus understood plays in the theology of St. John; both in his record of his Master’s sayings, and in his own writings (John i. 103 vii. 7; xii. 31; 1 Johnii. 163; v. 4); occurring in his Gospel and Epistles more than a hundred times, most often in this sense. On this last use of κόσμος, and on the fact that it should have been utterly strange to the entire heathen world, which had no sense of this opposition between God and man, the holy and unholy, and that the same should have been latent and not distinctly called outeven in the O. T., on all this there are some admirable remarks by Zezschwitz, Profangrdcitét und Bibl. Sprachgewt, pp. 21-24: while on these various meanings of κόσμος, and on the serious confusions which, if not - carefully watched against, may arise therefrom, Augustine (Con. Jul. Pelag. vi. 3, 4) may be consulted with advantage. We must reject the etymology of αἰών which Aristotle (De Cel. i. 9) propounds: ἀπὸ τοῦ ἀεὶ εἶναι εἰληφὼς τὴν ἐπωνυμίαν. It is more probably connected with dw, ἄημι, to breathe. Like κόσμος it has a primary and physical, and then, superinduced on this, a secondary and ethical, 1 Origen indeed (im Joan. 38) mentions some one in his day who interpreted κόσμος as the Church, being as it is the ornament of the world (κόσμος οὖσα τοῦ κόσμου). $.ux. SYNONYMS OF THE NEW TESTAMENT. 217 sense. In its primary, it signifies time, short or long, in its unbroken duration; oftentimes in classical Greek the duration of a human life (Ξε βίος, for which it is exchanged, . Xenophon, Cyrop. iii. 3. 523; οἵ, Plato, Legg. iii. 701 c; Sophocles, Trachin. 2; Elect. 1085: πάγκλαυτον αἰῶνα εἵλου : Pindar, Olymp. ii. 120: ἄδακρυν νέμονται αἰῶνα) ; but essentially time as the condition under which all created things exist, and the measure of their existence ; thus Theodoret: ὁ αἰὼν οὐκ οὐσία τις ἐστίν, ἀλλ᾽ ἀνυπόστατον χρῆμα, συμπαρομαρτοῦν τοῖς γεννητὴν ἔχουσι φύσιν" καλεῖται γὰρ αἰὼν καὶ τὸ ἀπὸ τῆς τοῦ κόσμου συστάσεως μέχρι τῆς συντελείας διάστημα.---αἰὼν τοίνυν ἐστὶ τὸ τῇ κτιστῇ φύσει παρεζευγμένον διάστημα. Thus signifying time, it comes presently to signify all which exists in the world under conditions of time; ‘ die Totalitiit desjenigen, was sich in der Dauer der Zeit ausserlich darstellt, die Welt, sofern sie sich in der Zeit bewegt’ (C. L. W. Grimm; thus see Wisd. xiii. 9; xiv. 6; xviii. 4; Eccles. iii. 11); and then, more ethically, the course and current of this world’s affairs. But this course and current being full of sin, it is nothing wonderful that ὁ αἰὼν οὗτος, set over against ὁ αἰὼν ἐκεῖνος (Luke xx. 35), ὁ αἰὼν ὁ ἐρχομένος (Mark x. 30), ὁ αἰὼν ὁ μέλλων (Matt. xii. 32), acquires presently, like κόσμος, an unfavourable meaning. The βασιλεῖαι τοῦ κόσμου of Matt. iv. 8 are βασιλεῖαι τοῦ αἰῶνος τούτου (Ignatius, Ep. ad Rom. 6); God has delivered us by his Son ἐξ ἐνεστῶτος αἰῶνος πονηροῦ (Gal. i. 4); Satan is θεὸς τοῦ αἰῶνος τούτου᾽ (2 Cor. iv. 4; cf. Ignatius, Hp. ad Magn. 1: ὁ ἀρχων τοῦ αἰῶνος τούτου) ; sinners walk κατὰ τὸν αἰῶνα τοῦ κόσμου τούτου (Ephes. ii. 2), too weakly translated in our Version, as in those preceding, “ according to the course of this world.” This last is a particularly instructive passage, for in it both words occur together; Bengel excellently remarking: ‘ αἰών et κόσμος differunt. 1116 hunc regit et quasi informat: κόσμος est quiddam exterius, αἰών subtilius. Tempus [Ξε αἰών] dicitur non solum physice, sed 218 SYNONYMS OF THE NEW TESTAMENT. § ux. etiam moraliter, connotat4 qualitate hominum in eo viventium; et.sic αἰών dicit longam temporum seriem, ubi zetas . mala malam etatem excipit.’ Compare Windischmann (on Gal. i. 4): “ αἰών darf aber durchaus nicht bloss als Zeit gefasst werden, sondern begreift alles in der Zeit befangene; die Welt und ihre Herrlichkeit, die Menschen und ihr natiirliches unerléstes Thun und Treiben in sich, im Contraste zu dem hier nur beginnenden, seiner Sehnsucht und Vollendung nach aber jenseitigen und ewigen, Reiche des Messias.’ We speak of ‘the times,’ attaching to the word an ethical signification ; or, still more to the point, ‘the age,’ ‘the spirit or genius of the age,’ ‘der Zeitgeist.’ All that floating mass of thoughts, opinions, maxims, speculations, hopes, impulses, aims, aspirations, at any time current in the world, which it may be impossible to seize and accurately define, but which constitute a most real and effective power, being the moral, or immoral, atmosphere which at every moment of our lives we inhale, again inevitably to exhale,—all this is included in the αἰών, which is, as Bengel has expressed it, the subtle informing spirit of the κόσμος, or world of men who are living alienated and apart from God. ‘ Seculum,’ in Latin has acquired the same sense, as in the familiar epigram of Tacitus (Germ. 19), “ Corrumpere et corrumpi seculum vocatur.” It must be freely admitted that two passages in the Epistle to the Hebrews will not range themselves according to the distinction here drawn between αἰών and κόσμος, namely i. 2 and xi. 3. In both of these αἰῶνες are the worlds contemplated, if not entirely, yet beyond question mainly, under other aspects than those of time. Some indeed, especially modern Socinian expositors, though not without forerunners who had no such motives as theirs, have attempted to explain αἰῶνες at Heb. i. 2, as the successive dispensations, the χρόνοι καὶ καιροί of the divine economy. But however plausible this explanation might διχ. SYNONYMS OF THE NEW TESTAMENT. 219 have been if this verse had stood alone, xi. 3 is decisive that the αἰῶνες in both passages can only be, as we have rendered it, ‘ the worlds,’ and not ‘ the ages.’ I Have called these the only exceptions, for I cannot accept 1 Tim. i. 17 as a third; where αἰῶνες must denote, not ‘the worlds’ in the usual concrete meaning of the term, but, according to the more usual temporal meaning of αἰών ‘in the N. T., ‘the ages,’ the temporal periods whose sum and aggregate adumbrate the conception of eternity. The βασιλεὺς τῶν αἰώνων (cf. Clement of Rome, Cor. 35: ὁ δημιουργὸς καὶ πατὴρ τῶν αἰώνων) will thus be the sovereign dispenser and disposer of the ages during which the mystery of God’s purpose with man is unfolding (see Ellicott, in loco).' For the Hebrew equivalents of the words expressing time and eternity, see Conrad von Orelli, Die Hebriischen Synonyma der Zeit und Ewigkeit, Leipzig, 1871; and for the Greek and Latin, so far as these seek to express them at all, see Pott, Htym. Forsch. ii. 2. 444.

Moulton & Milligan — Vocabulary of the Greek NT

αἰών [page 16] Magn 180 .3 ff. (ii/A.D.) μόνος τῶν ἀπ᾽ αἰῶνος νεικήσας Ὀλύμπια , etc. the athlete is claiming to have made a record : cf. the description of a certain ἀρχιερεὺς τῶν θεῶν in Syll 363 .6 (i/A.D.), as διὰ βίου πρῶτον τῶν ἀπ᾽ αἰῶνος , and ib. 686 .48 (ii/A.D.) ἣν μόνος ἀπ᾽ αἰῶνος ἀνδρῶν ἐποίησεν . P Oxy I. 33 iii. 9 (ii/A.D.) θεωρήσατε ἕνα ἀπ᾽ αἰῶνος ἀπαγόμ [ενο ]ν , behold one led off to death, literally from life. Minns Ios PE i. 22 .88 τῶν ἀπ᾽ αἰῶνος . Preisigke 1105 (i/A.D.) ἐπ᾽ ἀγαθῷ εἰς τὸνι ( l. τὸν ) αἰῶνα . P Giss I. 13 .19 (ii/A.D.) ὅπω [ς ] πλουτή [σ ]ῃς εἰς αἰῶ [να ] for the rest of your life. P Oxy I. 41 (iii/iv A.D.) is a curious report of a public meeting at Oxy-rhynchus, punctuated with cries of Ἄγουστοι κύριοι εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα , the Emperors for ever! : cf. OGIS 515 .55 (iii/A.D.) Succlam ( atum ) est : ἰς αἰῶ [να ] with Dittenberger s note. So Syll 376 .50 (i/A.D.) Διὶ Ἐλευθερίῳ [Νέρων ]ι εἰς αἰῶνα : also Magn 139 .7 ff. (i/B.C.) εὐεργέτην δὲ [γ ]εγονότα τοῦ δήμου κατὰ πολλοὺς [τ ]ρόπους πρὸς τὸν αἰῶνα , OGIS 383 .44 (i/B.C.) εἰς τὸν ἄπειρον αἰῶνα passages which are sufficient to show how thoroughly Greek the prepositional combinations with αἰών are. Reference should be made to Syll 757 (i/A.D.), an interesting inscription dedicated to Αἰών as a deity. For αἰών = period of life, cf. Syll 364 .9 (A.D. 37) ὡς ἂν τοῦ ἡδίστου ἀνθρώποις αἰῶνο (ς ) νῦν ἐνεστῶτος . On the Rosetta stone, OGIS 90 (B.C. 196), Ptolemy V is described as αἰωνόβιος : cf. P Lond 3 .19 (B.C. 146 or 135) ( = I. p. 46) ἐπὶ βασιλέως αἰωνοβίου . So P Giss I. 36 .20 (B.C. 161) βασιλεύ (οντος ) αἰωνοβίο (υ ) of Ptolemy Philometor. See below on αἰώνιος , where also there are remarks on etymology.

Liddell-Scott-Jones — Greek-English Lexicon

αἰών (aiōn) — an age: age. αἰών, ῶνος, ὁ, Ionic dialect and Epic dialect also ἡ, as in [Refs 5th c.BC+ apocopation _accusative_ αἰῶ], like{Ποσειδῶ}, restored by Ahrens (from [Refs 4th c.BC+], compare aevum, see at {αἰεί}):—period of existence (τὸ τέλος τὸ περιέχον τὸν τῆς ἑκάστου ζωῆς χρόνον.. αἰὼν ἑκάστου κέκληται[Refs 4th c.BC+]

I. lifetime, life, ψυχή τε καὶ αἰών[Refs 8th c.BC+]; ἀπ᾽ αἰῶνος νέος ὤλεο [Refs 5th c.BC+]; αἰ. Αἰακιδᾶν, periphrastic for the Aeacidae, [Refs 5th c.BC+]

I.2. age, generation, αἰ. ἐς τρίτον [Refs]; ὁ μέλλων αἰών posterity, [Refs 5th c.BC+]

I.3. one's life, destiny, lot, [Refs 5th c.BC+]

II. long space of time, age, αἰὼν γίγνεται 'tis an age, [Refs 4th c.BC+]; especially with Preps., ἀπ᾽ αἰῶνος of old, [NT+8th c.BC+]; δι᾽ αἰῶνος perpetually, [Refs 4th c.BC+]; all one's life long, [Refs 5th c.BC+]; δι᾽ αἰῶνος μακροῦ, ἀπαύστου, [Refs 4th c.BC+]; τὸν δι᾽ αἰ. χρόνον for ever, [Refs]; εἰς ἅπαντα τὸν αἰ. [Refs 5th c.BC+]; εἰς τὸν αἰ. [LXX+1st c.BC+]; ἐξ αἰῶνος καὶ ἕως αἰῶνος[LXX]; ἐπ᾽ αἰ.[LXX]; ἕως αἰῶνος[LXX+4th c.BC+]; eternity, opposed to χρόνος, [Refs 5th c.BC+]

II.2. space of time clearly defined and marked out, epoch, age, ὁ αἰὼν οὗτος this present world, opposed to ὁ μέλλων, [NT]:—hence in plural, the ages, i.e. eternity, [LXX+1st c.BC+]; εἰς τοὺς αἰ[LXX+NT]; ἀπὸ τῶν αἰ., πρὸ τῶν αἰ., [NT]

II.3. Αἰών, ὁ, personified, Αἰὼν Χρόνου παῖς[Refs 5th c.BC+]; as title of various divine beings, [Refs 5th c.AD+]

II.4. [Refs 4th c.BC+] __B spinal marrow (perhaps regarded as seat of life), Hymns of Merc 42, 119, [Refs 8th c.BC+]

αἰών (aiōn) — an age: eternity. αἰών, ῶνος, ὁ, Ionic dialect and Epic dialect also ἡ, as in [Refs 5th c.BC+ apocopation _accusative_ αἰῶ], like{Ποσειδῶ}, restored by Ahrens (from [Refs 4th c.BC+], compare aevum, see at {αἰεί}):—period of existence (τὸ τέλος τὸ περιέχον τὸν τῆς ἑκάστου ζωῆς χρόνον.. αἰὼν ἑκάστου κέκληται[Refs 4th c.BC+]

I. lifetime, life, ψυχή τε καὶ αἰών[Refs 8th c.BC+]; ἀπ᾽ αἰῶνος νέος ὤλεο [Refs 5th c.BC+]; αἰ. Αἰακιδᾶν, periphrastic for the Aeacidae, [Refs 5th c.BC+]

I.2. age, generation, αἰ. ἐς τρίτον [Refs]; ὁ μέλλων αἰών posterity, [Refs 5th c.BC+]

I.3. one's life, destiny, lot, [Refs 5th c.BC+]

II. long space of time, age, αἰὼν γίγνεται 'tis an age, [Refs 4th c.BC+]; especially with Preps., ἀπ᾽ αἰῶνος of old, [NT+8th c.BC+]; δι᾽ αἰῶνος perpetually, [Refs 4th c.BC+]; all one's life long, [Refs 5th c.BC+]; δι᾽ αἰῶνος μακροῦ, ἀπαύστου, [Refs 4th c.BC+]; τὸν δι᾽ αἰ. χρόνον for ever, [Refs]; εἰς ἅπαντα τὸν αἰ. [Refs 5th c.BC+]; εἰς τὸν αἰ. [LXX+1st c.BC+]; ἐξ αἰῶνος καὶ ἕως αἰῶνος[LXX]; ἐπ᾽ αἰ.[LXX]; ἕως αἰῶνος[LXX+4th c.BC+]; eternity, opposed to χρόνος, [Refs 5th c.BC+]

II.2. space of time clearly defined and marked out, epoch, age, ὁ αἰὼν οὗτος this present world, opposed to ὁ μέλλων, [NT]:—hence in plural, the ages, i.e. eternity, [LXX+1st c.BC+]; εἰς τοὺς αἰ[LXX+NT]; ἀπὸ τῶν αἰ., πρὸ τῶν αἰ., [NT]

II.3. Αἰών, ὁ, personified, Αἰὼν Χρόνου παῖς[Refs 5th c.BC+]; as title of various divine beings, [Refs 5th c.AD+]

II.4. [Refs 4th c.BC+] __B spinal marrow (perhaps regarded as seat of life), Hymns of Merc 42, 119, [Refs 8th c.BC+]

STEPBible — Tyndale Abridged Greek Lexicon

αἰών, -ῶνος, ὁ, [in LXX chiefly for עַד ,עוֹלָם ;] __1. in cl., like Lat. aevum (LS, MM, VGT, see word), a space of time, as, a lifetime, generation, period of history, an indefinitely long period; in NT of an indefinitely long period, an age, eternity, usually with prep. (MM, VGT); __(a) of the past: ἀπ᾽ αἰ. (cf. Heb. מֵעוֹלָם), Luk.1:70; __(b) of the future: εἰς τ. αἰ. (cf. לְעוֹלָם), forever, Mat.21:19; id., with neg., never, Jhn.4:14; more strongly, εἰς τὸν αἰ. τοῦ αἰ., Heb.1:8 (LXX); εἰς τοὺς αἰ., Mat.6:13; εἰς τοὺς αἰ. τῶν αἰ. (cf. Isa.45:17, עַד־עוֹלְמֵי עַד), Rom.16:27, LT; cf. also Eph.3:21, 2Pe.3:18, Ju 25, Rev.14:11. __2. οἱ αἰ., the worlds, the universe, "the sum of the periods of time, including all that is manifested in them": He :12 11:3 (cf. 1Ti.1:17, where τῶν αἰ. are prob. "the ages or world-periods which when summed up make eternity". __3. the present age (Heb. הָעוֹלָם הַזֶּה): ὁ αἰ., Mat.13:22; ὁ αἰ. οὗτος, Mat.12:32; ὁ νῦν αἰ., 1Ti.6:17; ὁ ἐνεστὼς αἰ., Gal.1:4; similarly, of the time after Christ's second coming (הָעוֹלָם הַבָּא), ὁ αἰ. ἐκεῖνος, Luk.20:35; ὁ αἰ. μέλλων, Mat.12:32; ὁ αἰ. ὁ ἐρχόμενος, Mrk.10:30. SYN.: κόσμος, the ordered universe, the scheme of material things; οἰκουμένη, the inhabited earth; in contrast with both of which αἰ. is the world under aspects of time (cf. Westc. on Heb.1:2; Tr., Syn., §lix; Thayer, see word, αἰ.; Cremer, 74, 620; MM, VGT). (AS)

Bible Occurrences (97)

1:2

📖 Greek Word Study — In-Depth Study from Precept Austin

Age (165) aion

Age (aion) as implied by the numerous ways it is translated into English (see next paragraph) is somewhat difficult to define. The specific meaning of aion is best determined by the context in which it is used. As a generalization aion usually refers to some aspect of time past, present or future. As discussed below it is also used with a more figurative meaning in which it refers primarily to the ethical/moral system of the world. To make matters even more confusing, in a number of the 97 NT uses of aion the meaning has both a time and an ethical connotation. The following notes summarize some of the main uses of aion but are not intended to be all-inclusive. Aion is used 122 times (Mt. 12:32; 13:22, 39, 40, 49; 21:19; 24:3; 28:20; Mk. 3:29; 4:19; 10:30; 11:14; Lk. 1:33, 55, 70; 16:8; 18:30; 20:34f; Jn. 4:14; 6:51, 58; 8:35, 51f; 9:32; 10:28; 11:26; 12:34; 13:8; 14:16; Acts 3:21; 15:18; Ro 1:25; 9:5; 11:36; 12:2; 16:27; 1 Co. 1:20; 2:6, 7, 8; 3:18; 8:13; 10:11; 2 Co. 4:4; 9:9; 11:31; Gal. 1:4, 5; Ep 1:21; 2:2, 7; 3:9, 11, 21; Phil. 4:20; Col. 1:26; 1 Tim. 1:17; 6:17; 2Ti 4:10, 18; Titus 2:12; He 1:2, 8; 5:6; 6:5, 20; 7:17, 21, 24, 28; 9:26; 11:3; 13:8, 21; 1Pe 1:25; 4:11; 5:11; 2 Pet. 3:18; 1 Jn. 2:17; 2 Jn. 1:2; Jude 1:13, 25; Re 1:6, 18; 4:9, 10; 5:13; 7:12; 10:6; 11:15; 14:11; 15:7; 19:3; 20:10; 22:5) and is translated variously as: age, 20; ages, 6; ancient time, 1; beginning of time, 1; course, 1; eternal, 2; eternity, 1; ever, 2; forever, 27; forever and ever, 20; forevermore, 2; long ago, 1; never, 1; old, 1; time, 1; world, 7; worlds, 1. If you would like more detail on aion, click one of the following links for work by the respected lexicographer, W E Vine: Age [aion]; Course [aion]; Eternal [aion]; World [aion] Aion is also combined with Greek prepositions to produce several unique references to time and this further compounds the difficulty of presenting a single, uniform, crisp definition. Below is a list of these phrases with representative Scriptures: apo aion (3 occurrences of this phrase) = literally "from the age" translated from of old, long ago, from ancient time: Lk 1:70; Acts 3:21, 15:18 eis ton aiona (27 occurrences of this phrase) = literally "to the ages", usually translated forever, as in Jn 6:51;(phrase is used 27x in the NT [Mt. 21:19; Mk. 3:29; 11:14; Lk 1:55; Jn. 4:14; 6:51, 58; 8:35, 51, 52; 10:28; 11:26; 12:34; 13:8; 14:16; 1Co. 8:13; 2Co 9:9; He 1:8; 5:6; 6:20; 7:17, 21, 24, 28; 1Pe 1:25; 1Jn 2:17; 2Jn 1:2] and to really confuse you, when preceded by a negative particle is translated 8x as "never", eg Mk 3:29). This phrase is used 7x to refer to Jesus as "forever", especially His priesthood. eis tous aionas (26 occurrences of this phrase - Lk. 1:33; Rom. 1:25; 9:5; 11:36; 16:27; 2 Co. 11:31; Gal. 1:5; Phil. 4:20; 1 Tim. 1:17; 2 Tim. 4:18; Heb. 13:8, 21; 1 Pet. 4:11; 5:11; Rev. 1:6, 18; 4:9f; 5:13; 7:12; 10:6; 11:15; 15:7; 19:3; 20:10; 22:5) = literally "to the ages", usually translated "forever": Romans 1:25 (note) eis tous aionas ton aionon = literally "unto the ages of the ages" usually translated "forever & ever" in 1Ti 1:17, Hebrews 1:8 (note) eis tous aionas ton aionon (20 verses - Gal. 1:5; Php 4:20; 1Ti 1:17; 2Ti 4:18; He 13:21; 1Pe 4:11; 5:11; Re 1:6, 18; 4:9, 10; 5:13, 14; 7:12; 10:6; 11:15; 15:7; 19:3; 20:10; 22:5) = literally "to the ages of the ages" translated "forever and ever" or "forevermore": Gal 1:5. This phrase "to the ages of the ages" occurs most often in the book of the Revelation (12x), the last use in Scripture recording the glorious truth that "there shall no longer be any night and they shall not have need of the light of a lamp nor the light of the sun, because the Lord God shall illumine them and they shall reign forever and ever ("to the ages of the ages")" (Rev 22:5) ek tou aionos (2 occurrences of this exact form) = literally "out of/from the age" translated "since the beginning" (of time) Jn 9:32; and "out of this present evil age" Gal 1:4 pro ton aionon = literally "before the ages" translated in NIV "before time began" 1Cor 2:7; pro ton aionon = literally "from the ages" Ephesians 3:9 (note), Col 1:26 (note) Aion in the plural is used as a spatial concept, specifically as a synonym for the created universe as having a beginning and moving forward through long but limited time. In Hebrews we see the following examples of aion with this use: "in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world. (aion)" (see note Hebrews 1:2) "By faith we understand that the worlds (aion) were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things which are visible." (see note Hebrews 11:3). Here are a few examples of the ways aion is used in the NT in an attempt to give you a sense of how you have to use the context to interpret the intended meaning: Mt 12:32 "And whoever shall speak a word against the Son of Man, it shall be forgiven him; but whoever shall speak against the Holy Spirit, it shall not be forgiven him, either in this age (aion) or in [the age] to come." Eph 1:21-note "far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age (aion), but also in the one to come." In both of these preceding passages aion refers primarily to the time period we are living in now and which precedes the time period or age to come which is often referred to as the Messianic age during which Christ will reign for 1000 years. See the next verse for who is ruling this current age or time period. 2 Corinthians 4:4 "in whose case the god of this world (aion) has blinded the minds of the unbelieving, that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God." In a clear reference to Satan, Paul explains that the time period we are living in now (which precedes the Messianic age to come as discussed above) is ruled by Satan. In this case although Paul is referring primarily to a time period, the context indicates that it is a time period with a definite anti-God ethic or moral atmosphere. So in this use you can get a sense of how the time and ethical meanings of aion can overlap in a single verse. Romans 12:2 And do not be conformed to this world (aion), but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. (note) In this use there is clearly an ethical sense intended. Don't be poured into the mold of this world and the way it thinks and acts which is predominantly anti-God. Figuratively "aion" refers to the popular culture and manner of thinking that is in rebellion against God and which will try to conform us to its ungodly pattern. As discussed more below, this figurative ethical/moral meaning of aion is closely related but still subtlety different from kosmos which like aion is also occasionally translated "world" (albeit much less often than is kosmos). Remember that there are 3 closely related words which the NT translates "world" -- aion, kósmos and oikouméne (the inhabited earth). Click to study Vine's overview of kosmos, aion and oikouméne. Bengel defines aion as the subtle, informing spirit of the kosmos or world of men who are living alienated and apart from God. Trench adds that kósmos is the "world contemplated under aspects of space"; aion is the world "contemplated under aspects of time." Both aion and kosmos are used in the following verse, where Paul is reminding the Ephesians who they were before Christ became their life, writing that they had formerly walked according to the course ("ways", NIV) (aion) of this world (kosmos), according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience. (see note Ephesians 2:2) Here both aion and kosmos are used together to convey the sense of "the spirit of this age" in which we live. It describes a lifestyle in which people follow the ways of the world. It is dominated by the humanistic philosophy that seeks to eliminate God from every aspect of life. This is the same meaning that Paul intends to convey in using aion in Titus 2:12 in the phrase "in this present age". It's not just the time we live in but also the ethical/moral atmosphere which surrounds us and which we "inhale". John also uses both aion and kosmos in his encouraging reminder to believers that this world (kosmos) is passing away and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God abides forever (eis ton aiona - to the age). (1Jn 2:17) Trench goes on to explain that aion "has a primary and physical, and then, super induced on this, a secondary and ethical, sense. In its primary, it signifies time, short or long, in its unbroken duration...but essentially time as the condition under which all created things exist, and the measure of their existence." He goes on to comment that aion "thus signifying time, ... comes presently to signify all which exists in the world under conditions of time...and then, more ethically, the course and current of this world’s affairs." Trench adds that We speak of ‘the times,’ attaching to the word an ethical signification; or, still more to the point, ‘the age,’ ‘the spirit or genius of the age,’ ‘der Zeitgeist.’ (the spirit of the age) All that floating mass of thoughts, opinions, maxims, speculations, hopes, impulses, aims, aspirations, at any time current in the world (Ed note: sadly American television is an all too accurate barometer of this godless "spirit"), which it may be impossible to seize and accurately define, but which constitute a most real and effective power, being the moral, or immoral, atmosphere which at every moment of our lives we inhale, again inevitably to exhale,—all this is included in the aion. (Trench, R. C. Synonyms of the New Testament.) Vine says that aion signifies a period of indefinite duration, or time viewed in relation to what takes place in the period. The force attaching to the word is not so much that of the actual length of a period, but that of a period marked by spiritual or moral characteristics. (Vine, W E: Vine's Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words. 1996. Nelson) Hodge adds an interesting comment writing that The origin of this word (aion), as it is used in the New Testament, is found in an expression frequently used by the Jews, who were accustomed to distinguishing between the times before the Messiah and the times under the Messiah by calling the former period this world or “this age” and the latter “the world (or age) to come. This "now age" or "present age" indeed does imply that there is a "next" age referring to the Messianic, millennial Kingdom with Christ reigning on earth, which is followed by the new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells. (see note 2 Peter 3:13). Vincent explains that aion refers in essence to time, as the condition under which all created things exist, and the measure of their existence: a period of existence; a lifetime; a generation; hence, a long space of time; an age, era, epoch, period of a dispensation. On this primary, physical sense there arises a secondary sense, viz., all that exists in the world under the conditions of time. From this again develops a more distinctly ethical sense, the course and current of this world’s affairs... and this course as corrupted by sin; hence the evil world. It is this latter sense that Paul intends here in Titus 2:12. Kenneth Wuest adds that this present age...is not content to perish in its own corruption, but seeks to drag all men with it down to its own inevitable destruction. (Wuest, K. S. Wuest's Word Studies from the Greek New Testament: Eerdmans) ><>><>><> Titus 2:12 Barnyard Ducks - Does the following anonymous poem describe how you feel? My soul is like a barnyard duck Muddling in the barnyard muck, Fat and lazy with useless wings; But sometimes, when the northwind sings And wild ducks fly overhead, It ponders something lost and dead, Then cocks a wary, bewildered eye And makes a feeble attempt to fly. It's quite content with the state it's in, But it's not the duck it might have been. Are you haunted by the fear that you'll never be what God meant you to be? That you're preoccupied with the trinkets of this passing world? Are you "living in the barnyard" when you could be soaring? Do you really want to fly? Do you long to soar above the pettiness and insignificance of the barnyard muck? You can! Put aside the sin and worldly weights that are holding you down (Heb. 12:1) and get busy with the tasks the Lord has for you. Only in Christ do we find the fulfillment He longs for each of us to enjoy. Remember that Jesus came to set you free and let you soar as you look for His coming (Titus 2:11-13). Isn't it time you got out of the mud and did some flying? -- Haddon W. Robinson (Our Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved) In this world but never of it, Help me, Lord, to live this day Free from all that would entangle, Of the dazzle and array. -- Graves If your Christian life is a drag, worldly weights are probably to blame.

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