Kolasis aionion -Matthew 25:46-
Greek scholar William Barclay wrote concerning kolasis aionion (age-during corrective chastisement) in Matthew 25:46
"The Greek word for punishment is kolasis, which was not originally an ethical word at all. It originally meant the pruning of trees to make them grow better. There is no instance in Greek secular literature where kolasis does not mean remedial punishment. It is a simple fact that in Greek kolasis always means remedial punishment. God's punishment is always for man's cure."
Fifteen literally translated (not interpretively translated) Bibles that reveal what God will do with the sinners in Matthew 25:46
Concordant Literal, Young's literal, Wilson's Emphatic Diaglott, Rotherham's Emphasized, Scarlett's, J.W. Hanson's New Covenant, Twentieth Century, Ferrar Fenton, The Western New Testament, Weymouth's (unedited), Clementson's, The New Testament of our Lord and Savior Jesus Anointed, The Restoration of Original Sacred Name Bible, Bullinger's Companion Bible margins, Jonathan Mitchell's translation (2010).
Concerning the duration of kolasis (literally - corrective punishment), Matt. 25:46 says (KJV),
"And these shall go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into life eternal."
Scarlett's New Testament written in 1792 has "aeonian punishment" in place to "everlasting punishment."
"And these will go away into aeonian punishment: but the righteous into aeonian life."
The New Covenant by Dr. J.W. Hanson written in 1884 renders Matt. 25:46:
"And these shall go away into aeonian chastisement, and the just into aeonian life."
Young's Literal Translation first published in 1898 and reprinted many times since uses the following words:
"And these shall go away to punishment age-during, but the righteous to life age-during."
Professor Young also compiled Young's Concordance, where one can check the translation of each Hebrew or Greek word as translated in the KJV.
The Twentieth Century New Testament first printed in the year 1900 has:
"And these last will go away 'into aeonian punishment,' but the righteous 'into aeonian life.'"
The Holy Bible in Modern English by Ferrar Fenton first published in 1903 gives the rendering:
"And these He will dismiss into a long correction, but the well-doers to an enduring life.
The New Testament in Modern Speech, by Dr. Weymouth, says:
"And these shall go away into punishment of the ages, but the righteous into life of the ages."
Dr. Weymouth most frequently adopts such terms as "life of the ages," "fire of the ages;" and in Rev. 14:6, "The good news of the ages."
It is a matter to regret that the editors of the most recent edition of Dr. Weymouth's version have reverted to the KJV renderings for the passages containing the Greek word aion, eon, or age.
The Western New Testament published in 1926 renders Matt. 25:46 as follows:
"And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into life eternal."
The translation, however, has a footnote on Matthew 21:19 on the word "forever" which is the same word for "eternal" which says: "Literally, for the age."
Clementson's The New Testament (1938) shows,
"And these shall go away into eonian correction, but the righteous into eonian life."
Wilson's Emphatic Diaglott (1942 edition) translates the verse,
"And these shall go forth to the aionian cutting-off; but the righteous to aionian life."
It should be noted that the "cutting-off" refers to pruning a fruit tree to make it bear more fruit.
The idea behind the word is not destructive but productive! Had Jesus wanted to emphasize a destructive end, He would have used the word "timoria."
The Concordant Version (1930):
"And these shall be coming away into chastening eonian, yet the just into life eonian."
The New Testament of our Lord and Savior Jesus Anointed printed in 1958 says:
"And these shall go away into agelasting cutting-off and the just into agelasting life."
Joseph B. Rotherham, in his Emphasized Bible (1959), translates this verse,
"and these shall go away into age-abiding correction, but the righteous into age-abiding life."
The Restoration of Original Sacred Name Bible copyrighted in 1976
has "age-abiding correction" instead of "everlasting punishment."
Jonathan Mitchell's translation (2010) has
"And so, these folks will be going off into an eonian pruning (a lopping-off which lasts for an undetermined length of time; an age-lasting correction; a pruning which has its source and character in the Age), yet the fair and just folks who are in right relationship and are in accord with the Way pointed out [go off] into eonian life (life which has it source and character in the Age; life pertaining to the Age)".
Even some King James Study Bibles will show the reader in the margins or appendixes that the King's translators were incorrect in their rendering of "eternal punishment."
The great Companion Bible by Dr. Bullinger is an example of that.
Greek scholar William Barclay wrote concerning kolasis aionion (age-during corrective chastisement) in Matthew 25:46
"The Greek word for punishment is kolasis, which was not originally an ethical word at all. It originally meant the pruning of trees to make them grow better. There is no instance in Greek secular literature where kolasis does not mean remedial punishment. It is a simple fact that in Greek kolasis always means remedial punishment. God's punishment is always for man's cure."
the other side of the argument
http://moments.nbseminary.com/archives/114-punishment-kolasis-kolazein-–-eternal-or-otherwise-matthew-2546-acts-421-2-peter-29-1-john-418/
Dear Matthew: Much thanks for providing the other side view.
The author starts his viewpoint with context. According to the context of chapter 25 a few questions.
Why are "virgins" in the context of Matt.25?
Why is this not a comparison between pure virgins and harlots or loose women?
Why are two clean animals (according to Old Covenant) in the parable i.e. sheep & goats?
Why not 1 clean animal and 1 unclean?
Why not a sheep (clean) and a pig (unclean)?
WHY?
There is one (1) passage of Canon for "everlasting punishment" (Matt.25). This one single verse is the cornerstone for the proponents of unending punishment.
According to the context of St. Matthew 25 and ONLY the context, please fill in the empty lines.
The foundation for "everlasting punishment" Matt. 25=
1._____________________________________________________________?
2._____________________________________________________________?
3._____________________________________________________________?
4._____________________________________________________________?
5._____________________________________________________________?
"Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire (eis to pur to aiōnion) prepared for the devil and his angels," the context certainly suggests the idea of punishment with lasting consequences and administered by a divine agent.
There indeed is lasting consequences! Aionios consequences, not aidios consequences.
The Doctrine of the Ages in the Bible -Dr. Ernest L. Martin-
The Doctrine of the Ages in the Bible (http://www.askelm.com/doctrine/d050101.htm)
The teaching of the Scriptures regarding the eons provides answers to frustrating questions concerning the meaning of human existence. God's purpose in creating man, and God's purpose of the eons are inseparably related. Many are unfamiliar with this important subject because the facts have been concealed by incorrect and misleading translations of the Bible from the original languages into English.
The eons of the Bible With Concordance, God's purpose of the eons
The eons of the Bible With Concordance, God's purpose of the eons. (http://saviourofall.org/Tracts/Eons2.html)
"There is mystery in the character and actions of God that we cannot grasp. How mercy and justice find resolution in the grotesqueness of the crucifixion is a wonder created by God's love. Is the idea of eternal punishment inconsistent with God's love and God's justice? How can we say this when Jesus, the God-man himself affirms a Gospel in which eternal life and eternal death are fundamental principles?"
All in all, the author of this link has a humble perspective. I acknowledge there is so much of our God that simply escapes us. His ways are past finding out, He dwells in mystery unfathomed, and only as He discloses Himself can we begin to grasp the outer laminar spheres of the unspeakable unknown.
However, there is no such animal as "eternal death". All death is swallowed up in life! The love of God which is a defining characteristic of His great Being (also Light/Spirit/Propitiation) are the dimension from which His justice flows in bringing to pass His purpose in Himself.
Justice
http://www.online-literature.com/george-macdonald/unspoken-sermons/31/
Also unto thee, O Lord, belongeth mercy; for thou renderest to every man according to his work.--PSALM lxii. 12.
Some of the translators make it kindness and goodness; but I presume there is no real difference among them as to the character of the word which here, in the English Bible, is translated mercy.
The religious mind, however, educated upon the theories yet prevailing in the so-called religious world, must here recognize a departure from the presentation to which they have been accustomed: to make the psalm speak according to prevalent theoretic modes, the verse would have to be changed thus:--'To thee, O Lord, belongeth justice, for thou renderest to every man according to his work.'
Also unto thee, O Lord, belongeth mercy; for thou renderest to every man according to his work.--PSALM lxii. 12.
Some of the translators make it kindness and goodness; but I presume there is no real difference among them as to the character of the word which here, in the English Bible, is translated mercy.
The religious mind, however, educated upon the theories yet prevailing in the so-called religious world, must here recognize a departure from the presentation to which they have been accustomed: to make the psalm speak according to prevalent theoretic modes, the verse would have to be changed thus:--'To thee, O Lord, belongeth justice, for thou renderest to every man according to his work.'
Mercy=
εὐφραίνω/ euphraino
To cheer.
In the Passive Voice, signifying, "to be happy, rejoice, make merry.
Fine Linen
You make an interesting case. May I ask you how you came to believe in UR. Did you have a born again experience before you gained this understanding or what it there from the start? I'm always interested in fellow Christian's experiences that have convinced them of UR. THANKS
aNDREW
Dear Andrew: At the ripe old age of 15, the Master touched me with His love and grace. It was the very first time I had ever heard the glorious Gospel & I could not get to the altar fast enough. Yes, Andrew, I am born again, and over 62 years has now gone by with the many faceted dimensions of be-being continuing to expand my life.
Ah, the glorious word of the Saviour of all. My beloved wife and I became part of a tiny fellowship of individuals who received hundreds of spiritual songs. We were singing of all God's sons coming home. Another verse was added by one of the saints "all creation is coming home, home to the Father, home to the Son, all creation is coming home."
Before the realization of this glory dawned on me, I am singing of it with others (many who are still part of our lives) Never once did the word "restitution of all things" sound in our midst, we just sang of it.
My brother, this is but the beginning of a wonderful walk with Him. As you bask in His glory, rest assured, He is exceedingly abundantly beyond all we can ever ask or think. In His embrace, David
Thanks for your response Fine Linen
If you wish to share more I would ask after you started singing the songs did you pray about the idea of UR or were you guided to certain passages in the Bible? What I'm trying to say is how did you confirm that what was in the songs was the Truth?
Thank you
Andrew
Dear Andrew: No my friend I did not pray, I soaked in the glory of His mighty Presence. There was a man who died some years ago (part of the fellowship)who was an apostle that could minister on one verse of Scripture for over one week night after night. I will never forget his final word at the end>>>>
Well friends, lets just leave it there for now
Andrew, the Word is filled with glorious words that declare the whole earth shall be filled with His glory.... Every knee bowing IN/EN the Name in antiphonal worship. And yes Andrew, that worship extends to every dimension of the heavens, the earth & the underworld. The all, the ta panta.
May the Lord open all of us more fully to the Song of the ages. And may He bless you my friend as you wait before Him.
Quote from: FineLinen on April 27, 2019, 09:21:15 PM
There is one (1) passage of Canon for “everlasting punishment” (Matt.25). This one single verse is the cornerstone for the proponents of unending punishment.
According to the context of St. Matthew 25 and ONLY the context, please fill in the empty lines.
The foundation for “everlasting punishment” Matt. 25=
imo,
1. some think verse 12 when the foolish 'virgins'/churches? had no oil and He said He didn't know them, at His return, for which He advised to watch for..
2._some think verse 30, the unprofitable servant suffering outside the feast, outside the bright lights of the feast,instead outside in the darkness..
3.some think the sheep and goats, the right and the left, the nations gathered before Him at His return, go to agelasting "correction"
4._____?_______________________________________________________?
5._____?_______________________________________________________?
None of these say anything about 'eternal' or 'forever' or even torment, but I believe it is likely kolasis / correction.. curtailing.. which strongly implies learning, etc! "Every knee shall bow, and every tongue will (wholeheartedly, according to the Greek) confess - He is Lord"! ..."ALL the ends of Earth will remember (Hebrew, return to their senses) and turn to the LORD and ALL the families of the nations will worship/rejoice before Him".. Ps.22:27 - previous verses of the Psalm having been fulfilled during His 1st advent.
I love a good quiz! :gsmile: