article on the greek of matt 25:46

[ps]

I do not think I claimed anywhere that aionio- "always meant 'eternal' in the minds of the writers of the New Testament".

I do however claim that it could readily have sometimes indicated unending, and earlier showed how that was likely very true for the kingdom in Matt 25:46 (Luke 1:33). [http://tentmaker.org/forum/bible-verses-used-to-assert-not-all-will-be-saved/article-on-the-greek-of-matt-2546/msg198617/#msg198617]

I will also note that you like to point out how 'eternity' might not be eternal, but claim that 'death' is all death, apparently ignoring various contexts of usage,  such as the limitation of 'all' in 2 Pet 3:2-15, where the contextual scope was that of 'all' before the 'promise' of Jesus coming, in that context his second coming (the millennial reign), also previously discussed in one of my earlier posts [http://tentmaker.org/forum/bible-verses-used-to-assert-not-all-will-be-saved/article-on-the-greek-of-matt-2546/msg198617/#msg198617].

One other example of such non-inclusive scope can be seen in Luke 11:50-51, where Jesus spoke of the blood of the prophets being charged against that generation.  But the larger context suggests it was probably limited to Pharisees and lawyers - and yet there were apparently some among them some who believed, coming to him at night.

The truth will likely be known by both of us with certainty at the end of the millennial reign.

ahhh !, bingo !..you finally admit it. 'Aionios' does not always mean 'eternal' in the Bible...so, how do you know with such certainty that it means 'eternal' in Mt. 25:46 ?...you simply cannot know it means 'eternal' in Mathew 25:46, a verse which is pivotal to your case for the eternal torment of the 'lost'.Your case collapses,

No darryl, my case was that aionio- was likely to mean un-ending considering the larger passage Mt 25:31-46, since v46 is a recap/summary of v34 and v41, both of which are relative to the start/coming of Jesus kingdom v31, and Luke 1:33 which indicates the kingdom is to be ageS without end, not that the punishment necessarily required torment.  I stated elsewhere the torment might be implied from the 'fire' of v41, but not specifically of the kolasi- usage.

I will not rub it in.. I have made my point.

Likewise, Mt 25:46 is not pivotal.  It is merely the passage that was under consideration in this thread, and therefore what I originally addressed on-topic.

Even the 2 Pet 3:2-15 passage would seem to explicitly call out God's intent for the ungodly to enter into (non-chastising) destruction (though not necessarily torment), at Jesus return.   I tried to cover that in my previous post here (http://tentmaker.org/forum/bible-verses-used-to-assert-not-all-will-be-saved/article-on-the-greek-of-matt-2546/msg198899/#msg198899).

You can try searching for G684 and related (perish/perishing/destroyed/destroy/destroying/destruction possibilities), G3709 (wrath in Jn 3:36), and you will find more than just one passage containing them. 

In John 3:36, what do you think 'abides' (NASB), without any other specific qualification/modification, might reasonably mean regarding the time period involved (and again another contrasting passage, this one with aionio-life/meno-wrath, rather than Mt 25:46 ainio-life/aionio-punishment)?

[trettep]

The word," Forever."

I don't know if this might mean anything to anyone but I was speaking to an Orthodox Jew who informed me that," Four ever," has everything to do with the number 4.

That 4 days after Adam the Messiah would come teaching the secrets of Torah, and then there are some things in the Talmud that insinuate that the law of Moses would be replaced and it would no longer be said," An eye for an eye," but a new law would come into view, and this is the secret laws behind every law of Moses.

Sometimes I think of that lamb being hidden from the tenth to the 14th because I think I read something like that somewhere. That the lamb would be hidden 4 days, 4 thousand years.

What occurs to me in looking at the 4th day is that it is Pentecost, the 4th day in a week, the 4th appointed visitation day of God within 7 appointed days.

Well you would actually have to know what Hebrew word your friend was referring to that was translated as forever.  There are many different words translated as forever in the Bible.

[darryl]

I do not think I claimed anywhere that aionio- "always meant 'eternal' in the minds of the writers of the New Testament".

I do however claim that it could readily have sometimes indicated unending, and earlier showed how that was likely very true for the kingdom in Matt 25:46 (Luke 1:33). [http://tentmaker.org/forum/bible-verses-used-to-assert-not-all-will-be-saved/article-on-the-greek-of-matt-2546/msg198617/#msg198617]

I will also note that you like to point out how 'eternity' might not be eternal, but claim that 'death' is all death, apparently ignoring various contexts of usage,  such as the limitation of 'all' in 2 Pet 3:2-15, where the contextual scope was that of 'all' before the 'promise' of Jesus coming, in that context his second coming (the millennial reign), also previously discussed in one of my earlier posts [http://tentmaker.org/forum/bible-verses-used-to-assert-not-all-will-be-saved/article-on-the-greek-of-matt-2546/msg198617/#msg198617].

One other example of such non-inclusive scope can be seen in Luke 11:50-51, where Jesus spoke of the blood of the prophets being charged against that generation.  But the larger context suggests it was probably limited to Pharisees and lawyers - and yet there were apparently some among them some who believed, coming to him at night.

The truth will likely be known by both of us with certainty at the end of the millennial reign.

ahhh !, bingo !..you finally admit it. 'Aionios' does not always mean 'eternal' in the Bible...so, how do you know with such certainty that it means 'eternal' in Mt. 25:46 ?...you simply cannot know it means 'eternal' in Mathew 25:46, a verse which is pivotal to your case for the eternal torment of the 'lost'.Your case collapses,

No darryl, my case was that aionio- was likely to mean un-ending considering the larger passage Mt 25:31-46, since v46 is a recap/summary of v34 and v41, both of which are relative to the start/coming of Jesus kingdom v31, and Luke 1:33 which indicates the kingdom is to be ageS without end, not that the punishment necessarily required torment.  I stated elsewhere the torment might be implied from the 'fire' of v41, but not specifically of the kolasi- usage.

I will not rub it in.. I have made my point.

Likewise, Mt 25:46 is not pivotal.  It is merely the passage that was under consideration in this thread, and therefore what I originally addressed on-topic.

Even the 2 Pet 3:2-15 passage would seem to explicitly call out God's intent for the ungodly to enter into (non-chastising) destruction (though not necessarily torment), at Jesus return.   I tried to cover that in my previous post here (http://tentmaker.org/forum/bible-verses-used-to-assert-not-all-will-be-saved/article-on-the-greek-of-matt-2546/msg198899/#msg198899).

You can try searching for G684 and related (perish/perishing/destroyed/destroy/destroying/destruction possibilities), G3709 (wrath in Jn 3:36), and you will find more than just one passage containing them. 

In John 3:36, what do you think 'abides' (NASB), without any other specific qualification/modification, might reasonably mean regarding the time period involved (and again another contrasting passage, this one with aionio-life/meno-wrath, rather than Mt 25:46 ainio-life/aionio-punishment)?

John 3:36?, hmmmm..well,'abides' denotes 'remains'..it remains till such time as it's 'removed' when the person repents, whether in this life or the 'next existence'...I dont see any problem with that...as for your reasoning on 2 Peter3 "19 and 'aionios' I'm not trying to be rude I appreciate your opinions but it seems a bit convoluted, buddy  :dontknow:..I'm just reading the passages plainly..trying to get at the plain meaning not twist it every which way and jump here and there  :declare:...never mind, it's a free country..believe what you want, I'll believe what I want !..we agree to disagree...I believe the evidence supports my view... :dsunny:

[trettep]

The word," Forever."

I don't know if this might mean anything to anyone but I was speaking to an Orthodox Jew who informed me that," Four ever," has everything to do with the number 4.

That 4 days after Adam the Messiah would come teaching the secrets of Torah, and then there are some things in the Talmud that insinuate that the law of Moses would be replaced and it would no longer be said," An eye for an eye," but a new law would come into view, and this is the secret laws behind every law of Moses.

Sometimes I think of that lamb being hidden from the tenth to the 14th because I think I read something like that somewhere. That the lamb would be hidden 4 days, 4 thousand years.

What occurs to me in looking at the 4th day is that it is Pentecost, the 4th day in a week, the 4th appointed visitation day of God within 7 appointed days.

Well you would actually have to know what Hebrew word your friend was referring to that was translated as forever.  There are many different words translated as forever in the Bible.

My best friend was the greatest Hebrew teacher of all, but me, I can't keep up. The person who told me about the word ," Forever," was saying this when it says," You shall keep my law forever." She implied that it meant ," 4." that after 4000 years in her opinion but she didn't believe in Jesus and it's funny how many things can get you to him. Messiah came teaching secrets of Torah after 4 days.

Well given that we don't know which verse the understanding was presented from or what Hebrew form.  Let's look at the comment of that "eye for an eye and tooth for a tooth" would be abolished.  I don't believe this to be true.  I believe God is indeed exacting an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth by not in the PHYSICAL sense but in the Spiritual Sense.  Consider that God destroys our spirit by replacing with His Own Spirit.  That our deeds are replaced with His deeds.  Let's also look at the fact that offences in the Old Testament called for being stoned to death.  Jesus called His Apostles 'stones'.  Again, this is telling us that God is going to stone us to death by means of His Apostles testimonies.  Further more.  Let's also understand that Jesus said to take TWO SWORDS and this was ENOUGH.  It is ENOUGH because it takes only TWO witness to put someone to death.  And the Word of God is the Sword of the Spirit.  So when Jesus sent out his Apostles two by two - he was sending them out with the Word of God by 2's to essentially PUT US TO DEATH. 

So the whole concept of eye for an eye or tooth for a tooth is not abolished - it is just in the vantage point.  Those that error see this from the fleshy perspective those that judge rightly view this from the Spirit.

[marie glen]

So, God apparently has an intention of the 'destruction' of ungodly men, in spite of the plan He has made and executed, by which they could all be saved.

note - (imo) :smile:
the verse 2 Peter 3:7 By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly. - I believe this is at Jesus' return.. a "day" of 'judgment' when the sheep are gathered (the wheat into His barn) and the goats are not (except as tares to be burned - "and they gathered to Armageddon" Rev 16:14-16 and to that fire..)

One business man may say to another.. "I will destroy you!" but it does not (necessarily) mean annihilate.. {don't know if this was mentioned or not.. reading on now..
        :smile:

[marie glen]

What occurs to me in looking at the 4th day is that it is Pentecost, the 4th day in a week, the 4th appointed visitation day of God within 7 appointed days.

...I'm assuming (tho wanted to clarify) you mean by Pentecost being the 4th day in a week? merely, "the 4th appointed visitation day of God within 7 appointed days" as Pentecost of course, being 7 weeks "to the day" (50 days inclusive) after "Firstfruits" fell upon the same day of the week as "Firstfruits" which always followed the weekly Sabbath of spring holy week - Lev 23:10,11,15,16

[marie glen]

I was thinking these verses apply here in this thread.. but now I can't remember why.. came across them in another 'study'..

Daniel 7:14
"And to Him was given dominion, Glory and a kingdom, That all the peoples, nations and men of every language Might serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion Which will not pass away; And His kingdom is one Which will not be destroyed."

Romans 11:36
For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever! Amen.

1 Timothy 6:16
"Who only has immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach, whom no one has seen or can see. To him be honor and might forever. Amen.... (Young's Literal - "to whom [is] honour and might age-during! Amen.")
   :Peace2: :smile:

[eaglesway]

Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. The farmer waits for the precious produce of the soil, being patient about it, until it gets the early and late rains. 8You too be patient; strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near.

In the exercise of His will He brought us forth by the word of truth, so that we would be a kind of first fruits among His creatures.

For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us. 19For the anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God. 20For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope 21that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God. 22For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now. 23And not only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body.

18I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, 19and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might 20which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, 21far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. 22And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church, 23which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.

He who descended is Himself also He who ascended far above all the heavens, so that He might fill all things.

[eaglesway]

Passover ----------------Blood begets Body            Redemption & Release
Unleavened bread-------Word sanctifies Body         Reconciliation & Revelation
Firstfruits --------------Spirit sows the Body          Resurrection & Reproduction   
Pentecost-------------Body reaps the World          Reaping & Restoration

[Msandino]

Hi Everyone,
In my efforts to understand the greek translations more I stumbled upon this article: http://www.daily-bible-study-tips.com/Reader-Questions-Answered/Greek-Matthew-25-46.htm :Chinscratch:

Great question! I read through this and found it almost ludicrous! There's a magnificent article on www.mercifultruth.com, at
http://www.mercifultruth.com/eternity-detailedstudy.html  which I think refutes all these claims very logically and categorically.

To upright and outright state that aion and aionios are different is like saying that "hour" and "hourly" are completely different. I'm convinced that they see what they want to see. (I could be like that however...)

Before I launch into my discourse on "eternity" vs. aionios, can I point out that this parable has **absolutely nothing** to do with the damned, sinners and the like?
These goats are people who clearly claimed to believe in Jesus. "Lord, Lord!" they say! None of them are saying, "Well, look Jesus, whoever you are, we were never really clear about your identity."

The only difference between the SHEEP and GOATS is what they DID and DIDN't DO (thanks Keith Green!) So if they want to take this literally, then all the fornicators, theives, homosexuals and liars who nonetheless volunteered at homeless shelters, lobbied for prisoner rights, fed orphans, are the ones who make it into heaven. Do they really want to take this word for word? Are the sheep the ones that said the Sinner's Prayer and meant it? Not according to this parable.
Which is it, I ask?


BUT if aionios cannot be translated as anything other than "eternal" I would like them to explain the very interesting verses where aionios is NOT translated as eternal cuz it simply won't fit.
(I notice that Daily Bible Study Tips claims that aionios can only not mean eternity when it has a chronos in front of it. I don't think that could hold water)

Matthew28:20 ...Lo, I am with you to the end of the age...
ἰδοὺ ἐγὼ μεθ' ὑμῶν εἰμι πάσας τὰς ἡμέρας ἕως τῆς συντελείας τοῦ αἰῶνος [AIONION]

So the word at the end there is form of aionios, but they can't possible interpret it as:

LO, I am with you to the end of ETERNITY

cuz that don't make no kinda sense....

So which is it??

Or this:
Romans 16:25
... in keeping with the revelation of the mystery hidden for long ages past,
ἀποκάλυψιν μυστηρίου χρόνοις αἰωνίοις σεσιγημένου,

the second to last word also being AIONIOS, so it would be, according to "eternity" be:

Hidden for "eternity" past

which ALSO doesn't work!

So, when it doesn't fit the language any other way, AIONIOS is "LONG AGES" or "AGE" but when referring to Punishment, it's Eternal / Eternity?

Very selective and seems either like error or worse, dogmatic insistence on bad translation.

2Tim 1:9 also has an example,
πρὸ χρόνων αἰωνίων
translated as:

before the beginning of (aionios) --

Does eternity have a beginning?

Look at how the translators get around that one:

NIV
before the beginning of time

ESV
before the ages began,

NASB
from all eternity, (NOT FAIR!)

KJV
before the world began (aionios = world)

For the most amazing yet difficult translation, try Young's Literal Translation: he doesn't do the thinking for you, he simply translates word for word without assumptions or presuppositions. Very hard to read poetically and for inspiration, but it's my go-to for accuracy on these UR topics.

YLT
before the times of the ages

Nothing like an honest translator

[AlfredWang]

Matthew 25:46 (My rough cut -- with emphasis mine)
And these will go off [themselves] (Middle voice) TO aionios restriction, BUT (however) the righteous TO aionios life."

YHV Lexicon:

go off (G565 verb aperchomai; to go/depart away from/off) John 4:3

*It does not read "send" in this Matthew 25:46 verse.

restriction (G2851 feminine noun kolasis; a curtailment/confinement) Matthew 25:46

*It does not read "lake of fire" or "the second death."

aionios/age-abiding (G166 adjective aionios; of a [hidden] age/eon [in God's time], an eonian/aionian/age-abiding/age-long/age-enduring [quality/state/condition in time/life], always/ever existing/living/enduring [time/life on earth]. Possibly/figuratively: relatively eternal) John 3:15

E.g. John 3:16
For the God so loved the world, therefore He gave the only-begotten son of His, in order that the every [human] having faith TO (Accusative) him should NOT lose [himself] (Middle Voice), but may [now] (or [from now on]) have (present active Subjunctive) aionios life;

E.g. John 5:24
Amen, Amen, I utter to you, that the [one] hearing the word of me and having faith in (Dative) the [One] having sent me [now] (or [from now on]) has (present active Indicative) aionios life, and cometh not TO judgment, but has [already] moved (perfect active Indicative) out of the death TO the life.

E.g. John 6:40
BUT this is the will of the [One] having sent me: in order that the every [one] spectating the son, and having faith TO him may [now] (or [from now on]) have (present active Subjunctive) aionios life, and (also) I will raise (future active Indicative) him in the last day."

E.g. John 12:50
and I have known that the commandment of His [now] is (present active Indicative) aionios life. I speak then: what [SAYINGS] as the Father has spoken [out] to me, so I speak."

E.g. John 17:3 (Yehshua taught)
"BUT (However,) this is the aionios life: in order that they may [now] experientially know (present active Subjunctive) You, the only TRUE God, and Anointed Yehshua whom You SENT."

destroy/lose (G622 verb apollymi; to destroy/lose, to be ruined/lost. Antonym of save/find) John 3:16

E.g. John 3:16
For the God so loved the world, therefore He gave the only-begotten the son of His, in order that the every [human] having faith TO him should NOT lose [himself] (aorist middle Subjunctive), but may have aionios life;

E.g. Luke 15:24
because this son of me was dead, and lived again; was being lost, and was found.'

E.g. Matthew 15:24
BUT the [one] answering said, "I was not SENT supposing NOT TO the sheep being lost; the [sheep] of Israel's house."

E.g. John 18:9
In order that the word should be fulfilled, which he said that, 'Whom Thou hast given to me, I lost not: not even one out of them.'

*It should not be rendered "perish" in this Matthew 25:46 verse.

destruction (G684 feminine noun apoleia; a loss/ruin. Figuratively: a waste, the antonym of safety/salvation) John 17:12

destruction – See ruination (masculine noun olethros; the ruin/destruction. Figuratively: the death)

*It does not read "ruination" in this Matthew 25:46 verse.

eternal (G126 adjective aidios; everlasting) Romans 1:20

*It does not read "eternal" in this Matthew 25:46 verse.

Cheers!

[marie glen]

Amen!  :thumbsup:

Matthew 25:46 - "And these shall go away to correction age-lasting, but the righteous to life age-lasting."
(The two resurrections? Into the millennium, or into Judgment 'Day'/Correction; imo)

"E.g.  Luke 15:24
because this son of me was dead, and lived again; was being lost, and was found.' "

Perfect - which surely(?) Yahweh is - can lose nothing! The Almighty.. surely is, "all mighty"! :laughing7:

[eaglesway]

There is another view, that the first resurrection (initiating the millenial reign at Christ's return) is for the overcomers in Christ- the revelation of the sons of God, perhaps even the faithful from all the ages.

39These were all commended for their faith, yet they did not receive what was promised. 40God had planned something better for us, so that together with us they would be made perfect.
Heb 11

In the second resurrection at the end of the millenium,  all the rest of the dead will be raised, but as I read it, not all of those will be sent into correction, only those whose names are not written in the Lamb's book of life.

I believe there are/were righteous in every generation from the beginning, in every far flung culture, nation and time. God knows who they are and they will recognize Him on that day that awaits everyone who does not partake in the first resurrection.

All those from the former ages, those from all over the world that never heard the law, those from this age who never heard the gospel, all those who died during the millenium. They will be judged at the great white throne "by the secrets of their hearts "

For when Gentiles who do not have the Law do instinctively the things of the Law, these, not having the Law, are a law to themselves, 15 in that they show the work of the Law written in their hearts, their conscience bearing witness and their thoughts alternately accusing or else defending them, 16 on the day when, according to my gospel, God will judge the secrets of men through Christ Jesus.
Romans 2:14-16

Every eye will see Him even those who pierced Him. Some will cry out to the mountains and the rocks... "Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb!"(Rev 6:16; Luke 23:20) Some will rejoice to see Him.

In Rev 20

Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat upon it, from whose presence earth and heaven fled away, and no place was found for them. 12 And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, and books were opened; and another book was opened, which is the book of life; and the dead were judged from the things which were written in the books, according to their deeds. 13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead which were in them; and they were judged, every one of them according to their deeds. 14 Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. 15 And if anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.

It seems(to me) obvious that many names, from amongst all the rest of the dead who died in other ages, will be found in the Lamb's book of life, and will not go into the lake of fire for pruning/purification- they will rejoice to see Him and their knees will bow and their tongues confess His name and the their conscience will excuse them in the light of the Day, which is His presence.

"His face was like the sun shining in its glory".

[TLP]

From another site discussing Matthew, I offer the following for consideration.
---

Matthew 25:46
And these will go away into everlasting (aionios) punishment, but the righteous into eternal (aionios) life.

This is a mistranslated verse, which first appeared as a mistranslation in the Latin Vulgate around 400 AD in support of the Roman Catholic doctrine of hell. The KJV and other subsequent versions of the Bible that support the doctrine of hell have carried forward this mistranslated verse into their own versions.

Augustine (354-430 AD), a fifth century Roman Catholic saint, who championed the doctrine of hell, depended heavily on this single verse to argue the case for endless punishment of unbelievers in hell. Augustine argued that since Jesus used the same word aionios to describe both the duration of the future punishment of unbelievers and the future life of the righteous, then it necessarily follows that the future punishment of unbelievers will be everlasting just like the future life of the righteous.

The problem Augustine had was that he strongly believed in the pagan doctrine of hell and he totally ignored, or was ignorant of the fact, that aion and its adjective aionios have two meanings in the Bible of age and everlasting depending on their context.

So let's understand the correct translation of Matthew 25:46 and the true meaning of what Jesus Christ is saying in this verse.

To translate aionios punishment to mean everlasting or eternal punishment is a mistranslation because it brings contradiction into the Word of God. In addition to this, it should be noted that the Greek word for punishment used in Matthew 25:46 is kolasis, and the meaning of kolasis is 'corrective punishment' as confirmed by Strong's Concordance number G2851. So, the true meaning of Matthew 25:46 as dictated by the context is:

Matthew 25:46
And these will go away into age-to-come, age-lasting (aionios) corrective punishment (kolasis), but the righteous into age-to-come eternal (aionios) life.

This is the true meaning of this scripture as originally inspired by the Holy Spirit, and it does not introduce any contradictions whatsoever into the Word of God.
---

I'm guessing they are saying because aionios is being applied in reference to God's nature and gift, it means eternal, but the corrective punishment is not as His wrath or correction is not eternal, but given to serve His ultimate purposes.

[eaglesway]

From another site discussing Matthew, I offer the following for consideration.
---

Matthew 25:46
And these will go away into everlasting (aionios) punishment, but the righteous into eternal (aionios) life.

This is a mistranslated verse, which first appeared as a mistranslation in the Latin Vulgate around 400 AD in support of the Roman Catholic doctrine of hell. The KJV and other subsequent versions of the Bible that support the doctrine of hell have carried forward this mistranslated verse into their own versions.

Augustine (354-430 AD), a fifth century Roman Catholic saint, who championed the doctrine of hell, depended heavily on this single verse to argue the case for endless punishment of unbelievers in hell. Augustine argued that since Jesus used the same word aionios to describe both the duration of the future punishment of unbelievers and the future life of the righteous, then it necessarily follows that the future punishment of unbelievers will be everlasting just like the future life of the righteous.

The problem Augustine had was that he strongly believed in the pagan doctrine of hell and he totally ignored, or was ignorant of the fact, that aion and its adjective aionios have two meanings in the Bible of age and everlasting depending on their context.

So let's understand the correct translation of Matthew 25:46 and the true meaning of what Jesus Christ is saying in this verse.

To translate aionios punishment to mean everlasting or eternal punishment is a mistranslation because it brings contradiction into the Word of God. In addition to this, it should be noted that the Greek word for punishment used in Matthew 25:46 is kolasis, and the meaning of kolasis is 'corrective punishment' as confirmed by Strong's Concordance number G2851. So, the true meaning of Matthew 25:46 as dictated by the context is:

Matthew 25:46
And these will go away into age-to-come, age-lasting (aionios) corrective punishment (kolasis), but the righteous into age-to-come eternal (aionios) life.

This is the true meaning of this scripture as originally inspired by the Holy Spirit, and it does not introduce any contradictions whatsoever into the Word of God.
---

I'm guessing they are saying because aionios is being applied in reference to God's nature and gift, it means eternal, but the corrective punishment is not as His wrath or correction is not eternal, but given to serve His ultimate purposes.

How intersting that we wrote, nearly at the same time, these similar posts. That is to say I heartily agree.

http://tentmaker.org/forum/judgement-and-punishment/when-is-grace-imputed-or-recieve/msg199849/#new

[marie glen]

 :iagree: :iagree: good posts!!