Lexical Summary aiónios: Eternal, everlasting, forever Original Word: αἰώνιος Strong's Exhaustive Concordance eternal, forever, everlasting. From aion; perpetual (also used of past time, or past and future as well) -- eternal, for ever, everlasting, world (began). see GREEK aion HELPS Word-studies Cognate: 166 aiṓnios (an adjective, derived from 165 /aiṓn ("an age, having a particular character and quality") – properly, "age-like" ("like-an-age"), i.e. an "age-characteristic" (the quality describing a particular age); (figuratively) the unique quality (reality) of God's life at work in the believer, i.e. as the Lord manifests His self-existent life (as it is in His sinless abode of heaven). "Eternal (166 /aiṓnios) life operates simultaneously outside of time, inside of time, and beyond time – i.e. what gives time its everlasting meaning for the believer through faith, yet is also time-independent. See 165 (aiōn). [166 (aiṓnios) does not focus on the future per se, but rather on the quality of the age (165 /aiṓn) it relates to. Thus believers live in "eternal (166 /aiṓnios) life" right now, experiencing this quality of God's life now as a present possession. (Note the Gk present tense of having eternal life in Jn 3:36, 5:24, 6:47; cf. Ro 6:23.)] NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom aión Definition agelong, eternal NASB Translation eternal (66), eternity (1), forever (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 166: αἰώνιοςαἰώνιος, , and (in 2 Thessalonians 2:16; Hebrews 9:12; Numbers 25:13; Plato, Tim., p. 38 b. (see below); Diodorus 1:1; (cf. WHs Appendix, p. 157; Winers Grammar, 69 (67); Buttmann, 26 (23))) αἰώνιος, αἰώνια, αἰώνιον (αἰών); 1. without beginning or end, that which always has been and always will be: Θεός, Romans 16:26 (ὁ μόνος αἰώνιος, 2 Macc. 1:25); πνεῦμα, Hebrews 9:14. 2. without beginning: χρόνοις αἰωνίοις, Romans 16:25; πρό χρόνων αἰωνίων, 2 Timothy 1:9; Titus 1:2; εὐαγγέλιον, a gospel whose subject-matter is eternal, i. e., the saving purpose of God adopted from eternity, Revelation 14:6. 3. without end, never to cease, everlasting: 2 Corinthians 4:18 (opposed to πρόσκαιρος); αἰώνιον αὐτόν, joined to thee forever as a sharer of the same eternal life, Philcmon 1:15; βάρος δόξης, 2 Corinthians 4:17; βασιλεία, 2 Peter 1:11; δόξα, 2 Timothy 2:10; 1 Peter 5:10; ζωή (see ζωή, 2 b.); κληρονομία, Hebrews 9:15; λύτρωσις, Hebrews 9:12; παράκλησις, 2 Thessalonians 2:16; σκηναί, abodes to be occupied forever, Luke 16:9 (the habitations of the blessed in heaven are referred to, cf. John 14:2 (also,dabo eis tabernacula aeterna, quae praeparaveram illis, 4 Esdras (Fritzsche, 5 Esdr.) Strong’s Greek 166, aiōnios, describes that which transcends temporal limits and endures without end. In the New Testament the adjective consistently anchors matters of divine origin—life, judgment, redemption, covenant, glory, purpose—revealing God’s timeless intent through Jesus Christ. Divine Eternity The term is first applied directly to God Himself: “by the command of the eternal God” (Romans 16:26). His nature sets the standard for all that is called aiōnios. Paul ties God’s ageless character to His unfailing faithfulness (Titus 1:2) and to the grace “given us in Christ Jesus before time began” (2 Timothy 1:9). Eternal Life 1. Promised by the Father—“This is the promise He Himself gave us: eternal life” (1 John 2:25). Because eternal life is both present possession and future hope, New Testament writers exhort believers to “take hold of the eternal life to which you were called” (1 Timothy 6:12) and to “sow to the Spirit” with a view to “eternal life” (Galatians 6:8). Eternal Salvation and Redemption Hebrews emphasizes the once-for-all sufficiency of Christ’s sacrifice: “He entered the Most Holy Place once for all time, not by the blood of goats and calves but by His own blood, thus securing eternal redemption” (Hebrews 9:12). The same epistle calls Him “the source of eternal salvation to all who obey Him” (Hebrews 5:9). Salvation is therefore irreversible, grounded in a work accomplished beyond the reach of decay or change. The Eternal Covenant “Now may the God of peace… equip you in every good thing to do His will… through the blood of the eternal covenant” (Hebrews 13:20-21). The covenant Christ mediates surpasses the provisional arrangements of the Mosaic era; it is anchored in His indestructible life and guarantees the believer’s sanctification and perseverance. Eternal Purpose and Gospel God’s purpose “before time began” (2 Timothy 1:9) is heralded by “an eternal gospel to proclaim to those who dwell on the earth” (Revelation 14:6). The term underlines the gospel’s unchanging relevance across generations and cultures: what God decreed in eternity is proclaimed in history and will stand into eternity future. Eternal Glory “Our momentary light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory, far beyond comparison” (2 Corinthians 4:17). Peter echoes the theme: “After you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace… will Himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. To Him be the dominion forever and ever” (1 Peter 5:10-11). The hope of eternal glory motivates patient endurance, ministry faithfulness, and joyful worship. Eternal Kingdom and Inheritance “Richly will be provided to you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 1:11). Eternal life is inseparable from a realm—Christ’s everlasting dominion—where the redeemed inherit promises that do not fade (Romans 6:22; John 10:28). Eternal Judgment and Punishment The same adjective describes irreversible judgment on the unrepentant: Because both destinies are marked by aiōnios, Scripture sets life and punishment in symmetrical permanence, underscoring the gravity of gospel rejection. Eternal Sin and Blasphemy The rare phrase “eternal sin” (Mark 3:29) identifies blasphemy against the Holy Spirit as guilt with lasting consequence; it cannot be forgiven because it hardens itself against the sole source of forgiveness. Eternal Contrast: Death vs. Life “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23). The definitive antithesis focuses evangelistic preaching and pastoral care: every person faces an everlasting outcome. Pastoral and Missional Implications 1. Urgency—The permanence of eternal destinies fuels missionary zeal (Acts 13:46-48) and calls believers to “save others, snatching them from the fire” (Jude 23). Historical-Theological Reflection Early creeds affirm “life everlasting” as apostolic teaching. Church fathers such as Irenaeus and Augustine cited aiōnios to defend resurrection hope and the finality of judgment. Classical Protestant confessions echoed the same, stressing the endless blessedness of the redeemed and the endless misery of the lost. Summary Strong’s 166 permeates New Testament theology: it frames the nature of God, the scope of salvation, the warning of judgment, and the destiny of creation. In preaching, teaching, and discipleship, aiōnios directs hearts to the God who was, who is, and who is to come, and it summons every hearer to respond in faith, obedience, and hope. Englishman's Concordance Matthew 18:8 Adj-ANSGRK: πῦρ τὸ αἰώνιον NAS: and be cast into the eternal fire. KJV: to be cast into everlasting fire. INT: fire eternal Matthew 19:16 Adj-AFS Matthew 19:29 Adj-AFS Matthew 25:41 Adj-ANS Matthew 25:46 Adj-AFS Matthew 25:46 Adj-AFS Mark 3:29 Adj-GFS Mark 10:17 Adj-AFS Mark 10:30 Adj-AFS Mark 16:20 Adj-GFS Luke 10:25 Adj-AFS Luke 16:9 Adj-AFP Luke 18:18 Adj-AFS Luke 18:30 Adj-AFS John 3:15 Adj-AFS John 3:16 Adj-AFS John 3:36 Adj-AFS John 4:14 Adj-AFS John 4:36 Adj-AFS John 5:24 Adj-AFS John 5:39 Adj-AFS John 6:27 Adj-AFS John 6:40 Adj-AFS John 6:47 Adj-AFS John 6:54 Adj-AFS Strong's Greek 166 |
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