Titus 1:2 and the Greek word αἰωνίων (aiōniōn)

Question

I am having some trouble figuring this out, in Titus 1:2 the Greek word used for "eternal" in "eternal life" is: αἰωνίου (aiōniou) which means "perpetual" I think it can also mean "eternal/unending" as in Matthew 25:46. αἰωνίου (aiōniou) is also used in the last section of the same verse, to which I will ask a question about the last half only down below.

I recall online, reading from an article on Universalism (which I do not support) it says that BDAG (The Greek Lexicon) only has 3 definitions of "αἰωνίου (aiōniou) or "Aionios" which are:

"The adjective, it is claimed, means: (1) without beginning; or (2) without end; or (3) without beginning or end." (1)

(1) Source: https://www.concordant.org/expositions/the-eons/greek-words-aion-aionios/

So, in Titus 1:2, there is the phrase:

1.) before πρὸ(pro) 2.) time χρόνων (chronōn) 3.) began αἰωνίων (aiōniōn)

So the word began in Titus 1:2 seems to indicate from the Greek that it means "eternal" not "began".

Q: If BDAG lists only 3 options for Aionios/aiōniōn and they are the aforementioned options, shouldn't the translation say "before eternity past"? or something to that effect?

Note: I do not currently possess a BDAG dictionary, and I have looked at BibleHub.com for more basic info.

Answer 1

The BDAG Greek Lexicon provides three primary definitions for αἰώνιος:

1. pert. to a long period of time, long ago

   • long ages ago Ro 16:25
   • πρὸ χρόνων αἰ. before time began 2 Ti 1:9; Tit 1:2 (in there last two pass. the prep. bears the semantic content of priority; on χρόνων αἰ.

2. pert. to a period of time without beginning or end, eternal of God

3. pert. to a period of unending duration, without end

Greek for reference:

ἐπ’ ἐλπίδι ζωῆς αἰωνίου, ἣν ἐπηγγείλατο ὁ ἀψευδὴς Θεὸς πρὸ χρόνων αἰωνίων,

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We see from the BDAG that in both Titus 1:2 and 2 Timothy 1:9, the phrase πρὸ χρόνων αἰωνίων (pro chronōn aiōniōn) is used. The preposition πρὸ (pro) means “before,” which indicates a priority in time. When combined with χρόνων αἰωνίων (chronōn aiōniōn), it stresses that something occurred before the ages or before eternal times.

In 2 Timothy 1:9, the phrase πρὸ χρόνων αἰωνίων is used to describe the grace given to us in Christ Jesus before time eternal. In other words, God’s grace and purpose was established before the creation of time.

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For cross reference:

New King James Version translates it:

in hope of eternal life which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began,

New International Version translates it:

in the hope of eternal life, which God, who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time,

King James Version translates it:

In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;

English Standard Version translates it:

in hope of eternal life, which God, who never lies, promised before the ages began[a]

ESV has a footnote that notes: Greek before times eternal

New American Standard Bible translates it:

in the hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised [a]long ages ago,

It also has a footnote that notes: Lit before eternal times

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We can conclude that Paul’s use of αἰωνίων (aiōniōn) in these passages point to the eternal nature of God’s plan. That noted, the preposition πρὸ (pro) indicates a priority in time, implying that these actions and promises were established before the creation of time itself. So the phrase πρὸ χρόνων αἰωνίων can be understood as “before eternal times” or “before the ages began.” The priority is over the creation of time and the ages, meaning that God’s actions and promises are rooted in eternity.

Answer 2

Hermeneutics relies on several critical factors for interpretation. Off the top of my head, I’d include

• Other specific scriptures – What other scriptures are relevant to the passage in question?

• Context within the immediate scriptures – What is the subject and what are the other words being used in the passage?

• Intellectual trajectory – What preparatory stages lead up to and what conclusions follow the passage in question?

• Semantic range – What other writings use a specified word, how do they differ in context, and what’s the etymology of the specified word?

• Linguistic analysis – What are the historical grammatical or idiomatic norms used?

• Historical interpretations – what are the historical range of interpretations and references for a passage, including other major Bible translations and recently discovered manuscripts?

• Opinions of experts – how do recognized experts and commentaries address the passage in question?

• Archaeology – What recent archaeological discoveries impact an interpretation?

• Logic - What logic is available to build or falsify a case for an interpretation?

Some of these can overlap, and I’m sure I’ve forgotten some other critical factors. The word is derived from aión, SG 165 (similar to eon in English), which reports 165 occurrences in the New Testament.

In context, I looked up Titus 1 in the online Greek interlinear to confirm the word being used as aiōniou (SG 166): https://biblehub.com/interlinear/titus/1.htm

Then, I looked up the word, αἰωνίων (aiōniōn) in my recently purchased BDAG (my wallet is still in shock) and found an entry under αἰώνιος (aiónios), which reads: “1. pert. To a long period of time, long ago . . . 2 Ti 1:9, Tit 1:2 (in these last pass., the prep. bears the semantic content of priority . . .”

Okay, but not entirely understanding “the preposition bears the semantic content of priority,” I looked at 2 Timothy 1:9 to get another example, where it reads in part

. . . and grace having been given us in Christ Jesus before time eternal (aiōniōn) . . . https://biblehub.com/interlinear/2_timothy/1.htm

Again, I would ask, "Priority over what or is this a form of emphasis?"

So, logically, I'd conclude that Paul would not have added the words "before time" in his letter to Timothy as a qualifier if aiōniōn wasn't a grammatically compatible word for eternity/eternal.

This context then raises the question of whether the "grace having been given us" should be interpreted corporately or individually, and whether Paul meant that this grace is applied specifically to the righteous saints of old, which is way beyond the scope of the question.

I hope this helps.

Answer 3

Titus 1:2 Promised before times eonian.

…> in expectation of life eonian, which God, Who does not lie, promises before times eonian.

“eonian life” does not refer to ‘eternity’ but to ‘eon’ (Gr. aion).

An eon in Scripture is a world age with both a beginning and an end. The idea that ‘eon’ as eternity should be opposed to time is nowhere more clearly refuted than in the expression we find here: “before times eonian ” (see also Rom.16:25 and 2Tim.1:9) .

There are times of days, months, years, but also of eons. And as we speak of daily, monthly, and annual times, so the Scripture speaks of “eonian times.” These times once began, for God “promised before eonian times”. “eonian times” also follow each other, because there are several “eonian times”. Scripture speaks “from eons ,” “the present eon,” and “the eons to come.” That is at least five eons. Andrea Piet

There are not five eternitys so if you consistently translate the word eon to mean a period of time it takes away much confusion with that word.

Aion is the root word where aiṓnios the cognate adjective.

165. aión ► Strong's Concordance aión: a space of time, an age Original Word: αἰών, ῶνος, ὁ Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: aión Phonetic Spelling: (ahee-ohn') Definition: a space of time, an age Usage: an age, a cycle (of time), especially of the present age as contrasted with the future age, and of one of a series of ages.

HELPS Word-studies

165 aiṓn (see also the cognate adjective, 166 /aiṓnios, "age-long") – properly, an age (era, "time-span"), characterized by a specific quality (type of existence).

We see in Titus 2:1 eoian life is promised before time began.

When did the eons begin?

The answer is revealed in Hebrews 1:2

Scripture reveals that the eons were created in Christ Jesus.

Berean Literal Bible

in these last days has spoken to us in His Son , whom He appointed heir of all things, and through whom He made the ages, (aiṓn)

Literal Standard Version

in these last days speaks to us in [His] Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom He also made the ages;

So if age does not mean eternal then the question is if you you don't have eternal life, how do you live forever?

One is made immortal. through Christ's life. 1 Corinthians 15:53-54

3For the perishable must be clothedf with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. 54When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable and the mortal with immortality,g then the saying that is written will come to pass: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.”

Look at what it says about the coming ages, in Ephesians 2:7

that He might show, in the ages that are coming, the exceeding riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus,

Right now, we are living in the present, wicked eon.

… the Lord Jesus Christ, Who gives Himself for our sins, so that He might extricate us out of the present wicked eon, according to the will of our God and Father. Galatians 1:4

The “present wicked eon” is called “the eon of this world” in Ephesians 2:2.

The present eon is wicked because the devil los is “the god of this eon” (2Cor.4:4).

One last quote regarding the eons to come.

"The expression “to the eons of the eons” is a well-known superlative from Hebrew. Similar to terms such as: the song of songs, the king of kings, the holy of holies, etc. “The eons of the eons” refer to the future superlative world ages. The reason for that is simple. After the “present wicked eon” (1:4), there are two world ages in which Christ will reign (Luke 1:33; Rev. 11:15). First in “the thousand years” and then in the still more superlative eon in which a heavenly Jerusalem will descend. In those two eons to come, GOD’S glory will be displayed. In the current Bible translations the teaching of “God’s purpose of  the eons” (Eph.3:11) has been completely translated away. “The eons of the eons” are then made “for ever and ever”… But don’t let it be taken away from you – take Scripture as it presents itself!" Andrea Piet