For Ever - a Mistranslation

For Ever – New Testament Evidence

The New Testament uses the word aion instead of olam. Aion is translated as “ever” 71 times and as “world” 38 times. Look at Matthew:

Matthew 13:38-40 – The field is the world (kosmos); the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one; The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world (aion); and the reapers are the angels. As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of the world (aion). (KJV, comments added)

Matthew 13:38-40 – and the field is the world (kosmos), and the good seed, these are the sons of the reign, and the darnel and the sons of the evil one, and the enemy who sowed them is the devil, and the harvest is a full end of the age (aion), and the reapers are messengers. ‘As, then the darnel is gathered up, and is burned with fire, so shall it be in the full end of this age (aion), (YLT, comments added)

In this passage, the King James translates both kosmos and aion into world. According to Strong’s Concordance, kosmos means harmonious arrangement or constitution, order, government, decoration, the world, the universe, the earth, or the inhabitants of the earth. It is translated in the King James as world 186 times and adoring 1 time. There is nothing wrong with this translation. However, why does King James translate aion into world? If Matthew meant world again, wouldn’t he just use kosmos again? Young’s literal translation translates aion into age, which is much more accurate. I mentioned in my article Origins of Sin, Evil, and Satan that Lucifer was another mistranslation in the King James, while Young’s literal translation got it right. The same is true for aion and olam.

God Created Time

We have to understand that God exists outside of time. God created time and therefore he is the ruler of time and each period of time. I know this is a hard concept to wrap your head around, so just take it slow.

Hebrews 1:2 – Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds (aionas); (KJV, comment added)

Hebrews 1:2 – in these last days did speak to us in a Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He did make the ages (aionas); (YLT, comment added)

This verse is saying that Jesus created time. We already know he created the world and this is not what the author is saying. Paul supports this fact in Titus:

Titus 1:2 – In hope of eternal (aionian) life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world (pro chronon aionion) began; (KJV, comments added)

Titus 1:2 – upon hope of life age-during (aionian), which God, who doth not lie, did promise before times of ages, (pro chronon aionion) (YLT, comments added)

The King James version is roughly saying that God promised man eternal life before they came into existence. Something that has eternal life cannot have a beginning. That would be immortal, not eternal. Young’s translation is much better. It is saying that before time existed, God promised life within the bounds of time. I know this is confusing but stay with me. Humans consist of a body, a soul, and a spirit. The body is bound by time so it dies a physical death which is the first death. The soul is the mind, will, and emotion of the physical body. It ceases to exist after physical death. The spirit is outside of time so it cannot die a physical death, but it can die a spiritual death which is the second death. For more on the first and second deaths see the Lake of Fire.

Page 3 of 4

< Previous                                               Next Page of For Ever >