The article about the definitions of the Greek words aeon G165 and aionios G166 says that they can only refer to something that is temporary and cannot refer to something eternal. Here’s a quote from the article.
Which are based on the English word “aeon”, which is a long period of time with a beginning and an end, which is why the equivalent Greek adjective for the Hebrew adjective “olam” is the Greek word “aionios”, which also means “aeonial”, not “eternal”, because it is based on the Greek noun “aion”, which means a long period of time with beginning and an end, an “aeon”, which is not “eternal”, and something “aeonial” can not only refer to something that lasts a long time into the future, but also something that existed long ago in the past, such as “from aeonial times”, which means “from ancient times” or “from long ages ago”, in which case, time began “in the beginning” of creation, which is when “aeonial time” began, the “aeons”, which began with this heaven and this earth, and several noteworthy aeons have passed since then, and we are currently in an evil aeon which is the last one before the second coming of the Messiah, and then the final aeon of this heaven and this earth is the 1,000 year rulership of the Messiah on this earth, and then new “aeons of the aeons” will be appointed by God in the new heaven and new earth, with new things for the enjoyment of the people of God,
Examples of Aionios G166
But the same word aionios G166 is used to describe God in Romans 16:26 and aion G165 to describe God’s glory in Romans 16:27. Is God and His glory only temporary?
“but now is manifested, and by the Scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the eternal God, has been made known to all the nations, leading to obedience of faith; to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, be the glory forever. Amen.”
Romans 16:26-27 NASB
2 Corinthians 4:18 uses a comparison of that which is temporary to that which is eternal.
“while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.”
2 Corinthians 4:18 NASB
temporal
G4340
Lemma:
πρόσκαιρος
Transliteration:
próskairos
Pronounce:
pros'-kahee-ros
Part of Speech:
Adjective
Language:
greek
Description:
1) for a season
2) enduring only for a while
3) temporary
Now if aion means something temporary then this comparison is comparing something that is temporary with something else that is also temporary. Doesn’t make any sense does it? Let’s take a look.
“while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are temporal?”
Is that really the message Paul was trying to convey, that the things that are seen are temporal but the things that are not seen are temporal? Of course not.
In 1 Timothy 6:16 the word aionion G166 is used to describe God’s dominion.
“who alone possesses immortality and dwells in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see. To Him be honor and eternal dominion! Amen.”
1 Timothy 6:16 NASB
Is God’s dominion temporary?
“how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?”
Hebrews 9:14 NASB
Surely the author of Hebrews is not referring to the temporary Spirit.
“After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you.”
1 Peter 5:10 NASB
Again surely God’s glory is not temporary.
Examples of Aion G165
Matthew 6:13 uses the word aion G165 to describe God’s kingdom, His power, and His glory, none of which are temporary.
“'And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil. [ For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.' ]”
Matthew 6:13 NASB
In Matthew 21:19 and Mark 11:14 Jesus curses a fig tree causing it to wither and die and said no longer shall you ever bear fruit.
“Seeing a lone fig tree by the road, He came to it and found nothing on it except leaves only; and He said to it, "No longer shall there ever be any fruit from you." And at once the fig tree withered.”
Matthew 21:19 NASB
“He said to it, "May no one ever eat fruit from you again!" And His disciples were listening.”
Mark 11:14 NASB
I highly doubt that Jesus intended for the tree to begin bearing fruit later on.
Again we see aion G165 this time used to describe Jesus’ reign which is not temporary.
“and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and His kingdom will have no end."”
Luke 1:33 NASB
“The slave does not remain in the house forever; the Son does remain forever. So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed.”
John 8:35-36 NASB
Will Jesus remain in God’s house for a limited time only?
“For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.”
Romans 1:25 NASB
Is God “The Creator” blessed for a limited time? Will there be a time when He is not blessed? I think not.
“For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen.”
Romans 11:36 NASB
“to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, be the glory forever. Amen.”
Romans 16:27 NASB
“as it is written, " HE SCATTERED ABROAD, HE GAVE TO THE POOR, HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS ENDURES FOREVER."”
2 Corinthians 9:9 NASB
“The God and Father of the Lord Jesus, He who is blessed forever, knows that I am not lying.”
2 Corinthians 11:31 NASB
“who gave Himself for our sins so that He might rescue us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be the glory forevermore. Amen.”
Galatians 1:4-5 NASB
Ok I’m just going to stop here. I can find ample more scriptures indicating that both aion and aionos can refer to something that is unlimited, eternal, everlasting, and forever. Sure in some cases these words can also indicate a limited amount of time but not in all cases.
Now to the big question, is suffering in Hell eternal? The author of the article uses Matthew 12:32 to indicate that those who blaspheme the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven only for a limited amount of time. So how does this line up with other scriptures on this exact same subject?
First of all what did Jesus say right before verse 32 in Matthew 12?
“"Therefore I say to you, any sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven people, but blasphemy against the Spirit shall not be forgiven.”
Matthew 12:31 NASB
Here we see verse 31 is a complete statement in itself contrasting sins that will be forgiven with the one sin that won’t be forgiven. So is Jesus saying any sin will be forgiven but sin against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven until later? Well that’s not what He said in verse 31. What about the other two parallel gospel accounts?
“"Truly I say to you, all sins shall be forgiven the sons of men, and whatever blasphemies they utter; but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin" -”
Mark 3:28-29 NASB
Again we see the contrast between sins that will be forgiven and the one sin that will not be forgiven. I believe the contrasting context is a nice indication of what Jesus is saying here, but of course the word aion appears here and some might say that this implies a temporary situation. So ok my point is only to point out that it can also imply a permanent situation as well. So let’s take a look at Luke which will put an end to the debate.
“"And I say to you, everyone who confesses Me before men, the Son of Man will confess him also before the angels of God; but he who denies Me before men will be denied before the angels of God. And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but he who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him.”
Luke 12:8-10 NASB
Notice the word aion is not in the Luke parallel. No time indication is given at all. He simply says blasphemy against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven period. So to say that Matthew 12:32 is saying sin against the Holy Spirit will be forgiven at a later time is contradictory to both Matthew 12:31 and Luke 12:10. Since we know that the word aion can also refer to an eternal or everlasting situation then in light of Luke 12:10 and Matthew 12:31 the only logical conclusion is that Matthew 12:32 is saying that sin against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven forever. (In this age or the age to come)
I have to stop here for now I will continue in a bit.