Greek word · G126

ἀΐδιος

aidios

eternal

Everlasting, perpetual, lasting always. A favourite word of Greek philosophers (Aristotle and Philo use it of what is unending). In the New Testament it appears only here and in Rom 1:20 ('his eternal power').

Appears 2 times in 2 verses of the Greek New Testament. ·

What it means

ἀΐδιος, -ον

(ἀεί), [in LXX: Wisdom of Solomon 7:26, 4Ma.10:15 * ;]

everlasting (frequently in Inscr.; MM, VGT, see word): Romans 1:20, Jude 1:6.†

SYN.: αἰώνιος, also frequently in Inscr. (Deiss., BS, 363 J. The etymological distinction between the meanings of the two words seems not to be retained in late Greek (see Thayer, see word, αἰώνιος; cf. Cremer, 79, 611). (AS)

From G. Abbott-Smith, A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament (1922), via STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0).

In depth

From the study of Jude 1:6

Range of meaning

Everlasting, perpetual, lasting always. A favourite word of Greek philosophers (Aristotle and Philo use it of what is unending). In the New Testament it appears only here and in Rom 1:20 ('his eternal power').

Against the English

'Everlasting' (KJV, WEB, YLT, NIV), 'eternal' (BSB, ESV, NASB). All are fair.

Used elsewhere in the period

In Rom 1:20 it describes God's power. Wisdom 2:23 and 7:26 also use it. Jude pairs it here with aiōnios ('eternal') in v. 7, perhaps for variety and sound.

Where it appears

Romans · 1

  1. Romans 1:20 ἀΐδιος eternal

    For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood from His workmanship, so that men are without excuse.

    Here: 'Everlasting', a word that philosophers often used for what never comes into being or passes away. God's power is not one created force among others; it was there before the world it made.

Jude · 1

  1. Jude 1:6 ἀϊδίοις eternal

    And the angels who did not stay within their own domain but abandoned their proper dwelling—these He has kept in eternal chains under darkness, bound for judgment on that great day.

    Here: 'Everlasting' bonds that no one can loosen. It is paired, perhaps deliberately, with the 'eternal' (aiōnios) fire of v. 7. The bonds last until the judgment day; then a final sentence follows.

Word data: STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0), main text only.