The Conditionalist Faith of Our Fathers, vol. 1

III. Texts Exemplify Diversified Meanings of Aion and Aionios

Before testing out these principles with a diversified group of New Testament passages, let us first establish the connection between Old Testament and New Testament usage. CFF1 436.4

The Septuagint again constitutes the vital link between the Hebrew Old Testament ‘olam and the Greek New Testament aion and aionios, and provides a second valuable key to right understanding. In the Septuagint use of aionios, God and His attributes, kingdom, and covenant are set forth as unlimited and eternal. But earthly objects, belonging to a passing dispensation, and divine dealings not lasting beyond the continuance of the earth in its present form are always set forth as limited, or restricted, in duration. CFF1 436.5

Thus it is with the priests’ office (Exodus 29:9), “perpetual” statutes (Leviticus 3:17), the burning of Ai (Joshua 8:28), “perpetual hissing” (Jeremiah 18:15, 16), “perpetual desolations” (Jeremiah 25:12; Ezekiel 35:9; Zephaniah 2:9), “perpetual wastes” (Jeremiah 49:13), et cetera. This mixed usage constitutes a reliable guide to New Testament practice. CFF1 437.1

Eighteen Dissimilar Examples Typify Differences

Here are eighteen annotated New Testament examples of this multiple usage with the Greek original, and its literal meaning: CFF1 437.2

Let us now analyze the evidence, seeking out and applying the sound guiding principles disclosed by these and other passages wherein usage alone is determinative. CFF1 437.3