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30
AGE
power. Consequently the logical result of admitting the contextual teaching of Paul's epistles regarding `adoption'
is to admit three distinct spheres of blessing.
A man can only have three first-born sons, if he has had three families. This application to the teaching
concerning adoption will be found to be an irrefutable proof of the existence of `three spheres of blessing', (see
THREE SPHERES5).
AGE
The word `age' is the translation of the Greek word aion, and occurs also in the plural, and in the progressive
form `the ages of the ages'. In the A.V. the word aion is given the following renderings: age 2, beginning of the
world 2, course 1, world 32, eternal 2, world began 1.
In conjunction with eis (unto, or for): for ever 27, for evermore 2, ever 1, while the world standeth 1. Followed
by genitive for ever and ever 21, for evermore 1, beside ever, never and world without end. Aionios the adjective is
translated eternal 42, everlasting 25 and for ever 1.
The Hebrew equivalent of aion is olam. This Hebrew word comes from a root meaning something hidden or
secret (as in Psa. 19:12, `secret faults') and indicates a period of undefined limits. Aion, the Greek word is used by
the translators of the Septuagint to render the Hebrew word olam into Greek.
Students of the purpose of the ages will often find themselves turning the pages of Ecclesiastes, realizing in the
preacher one whose problems and experiences are often much like their own. In Ecclesiastes the word olam occurs
seven times, and is translated by the A.V. as follows:
The earth abideth for ever.
1:4.
It hath been already of old time.
1:10.
There is no remembrance of the wise more than of the fool for ever.
2:16.
He hath set the world in their heart.
3:11.
I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever.
3:14.
Neither have they any more a portion for ever.
9:6.
Man goeth to his long home.
12:5.
Here we have `for ever', `old time', `world', and `long' as translations of the one word olam. Such a variety of
renderings gives no connected thought, and consequently the evident relation of these passages is missed.
Supposing we take the original word in each passage and translate it by the word `age', we at once realize that seven
such references may contain much helpful teaching. Their order and connection likewise are made apparent, and
their claim upon our attention is emphasized.
Olam in Ecclesiastes
The earth abideth to the age - The passing generation.
A 1:4.
It hath been already in or to the ages - Nothing new under the sun.
B 1:10.
No remembrance of the wise more than of the fool to the age - Forgotten in the days to come.
C 2:16.
He hath set the age in their heart - Beginning to end of God's work past finding out.
D 3:11.
C 3:14,15. Whatsoever God doeth it shall be to the age - God's work remains.
B 9:6.
Neither have they any more a portion to the age - No portion- under the sun.
A 12:5.
Man goeth to his age-home - The passing generation.
Leaving these passages until we are more prepared to consider their teaching in detail, we pass on to another
cluster of seven, this time in the New Testament, namely, in the epistle to Ephesians. There the word aion is
translated as inconsistently as we found its parallel olam had been in Ecclesiastes.