Age and the Greek Words Aion and Aionios
by Mark Sanguinetti

I appreciate all versions of the bible and learn from them, but none of them are perfectly written after being translated from the original biblical languages to the language of English for our understanding. The three languages of the original bible are Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek. None of the original manuscripts written by the original authors exist today. However useful copies have been made and passed down through the centuries and often the text of different copies agree with each other. However, translating the original biblical text languages to English does have differences in biblical versions. The work involved in the King James Version started in the year 1603 or thereafter and was finally completed for publishing in the year 1611. This was written by an estimate of 47 translators. In contrast, the individual writings of what were seen in the first century, for example the apostle Paul's church epistles, were likely originally written by the authors in Koine (common Greek). This was a language that could be understood by the majority of people, educated or not in the years written, 50 to 100 AD. For the translations from this original languages to English this involves editing to be factual and accurate or in the case of bible versions to match the original writings. Accuracy of translations is important because the apostle Paul says in 2 Timothy 3:16, "All Scriptures is given by inspiration of God...." Again I appreciate all versions of the bible, but in English today all are not the exact original wording of the authors and editing for original truth and clarity should continue. For example, every time I write a biblical article or commentary after writing the original draft, I see improvement with my additional editing.

With regard to our understanding of the original language of at least most of the New Testament, which is Koine Greek. This language is learnable, but takes time and education. There are some similarities among the Greek and English letters in shape and sound and also in the respective orders of the two alphabets. From this we see historically that some of today's English letters and sounds were transferred from the earlier Koine Greek alphabet. There are 24 letters for Greek and 26 letters for English. Of course, there are also differences in the letters, shapes and sounds for the two alphabets. Because of this, Koine Greek to English scholars have used the language of English letters to sound like Greek words in the communication transfer of Koine Greek words to English.

We could not write actual Greek words on our computers ourselves unless we had computer software that could shape all of the actual Greek letters. Also very few of us know the Koine Greek language in its entirety. Because of this we need the expertise of others who have learned this ancient language and done the necessary research. While hopefully at least leaving out any doctrinal bias. Since we want to imitate Greek words and how they sound using the English alphabet not every Greek translator writes the English equivalent with the same English letters. For example, the Greek words, which we will be studying, aion and aionios are also written as aioon, and aioonios. These Greek words are also communicated using the Strong's lexicon numbering system. They are represented by 165 for aion and 166 for aionios.

A fundamental way to learn Greek words is to read the context of what is actually written in the bible to develop an understanding of biblical content and words. We need to examine how biblical Greek words are used and the context in which they are used to develop an understanding. Also church tradition should not obstruct us from learning and gaining a truthful understanding of biblical content. As an example of Jesus Christ warning us about church tradition replacing the actual truthful word of God, read Mark 7:1-13 and Matthew 15:1-11.

Mark 7:5-8
5 So the Pharisees and teachers of the law asked Jesus, "Why don't your disciples live according to the tradition of the elders instead of eating their food with 'unclean' hands?" 6 He replied, "Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites; as it is written: "'These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. 7 They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men.' 8 You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to the traditions of men."
New International Version (NIV)

Next is a biblical example of testing for actual truth. As we saw in the above verses this should not include accepting the tradition of men or what is taught as the history of today's denominational churches as the true word of God. Denominational church history can relate more to tradition than biblical content or truth. Also the church history of one denomination may oppose the church history of another denomination. This opposition will further divide the body of Christ.

1 Thessalonians 5:17-22
17 pray without ceasing, 18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 19 Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not despise prophecies. 21 Test all things; hold fast what is good. 22 Abstain from every form of evil.
New King James Version (NKJV)

We should pray to God for truthful understanding. Trust scripture to interpret itself. Base our understanding on scripture in context rather than isolating a verse of scripture and not reading it in context. Be patient in learning God's word, while not adamantly claiming we understand scriptures until we have had time to learn. God may even reveal to us through doubt when our understanding has some error. However, not every thought that comes to mind is truthful. Just look at Eve in the Garden of Eden from the first chapters of the book of Genesis as an example of untruthful thoughts coming to mind. The god of this world, Satan is proficient, adept and masterful at deception, while promoting false as true and in our world today does this often. Mankind in this age will always get true thoughts and false thoughts. The goal is seeing the difference and believing the truth.

2 Timothy 2:15
15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
KJV