John 8:51 “unto the age”

[Sam V]

Hello Tim,

I don’t know Greek and simply rely on you and others to show the nuances of the Greek scriptures.

As you explained in Bereans Bible Institute, Module IV Lesson 8 – The Perspective of TIME in Scripture, “unto the age” is a Greek idiom (translated from the Hebrew “olam”), meaning a finite but indefinite period of time.

An idiom does not make literal sense when translated into another language. So, I’ve been struggling with understanding the meaning of John 8:51, in which you translate the Greek idiom word for word, but do not provide the meaning in English:

Truly, truly, I tell you, if anyone should guard My word, he should certainly not see death unto the age. (John 8:51 LGV)

How would you translate this verse into English without resorting to the Greek idiom?

[Timothy]

Sam,

The clause εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα “unto the age” can refer to the present age or the Kingdom age. IMO, it must refer to the Kingdom age otherwise it would be saying that Christians cannot die.

[Sam V]

To clarify, how would you recast the phrase “should certainly not see death unto the age” into English in another way?

PS. “He” in Jn 8:51 LGV should not be capitalized, right?

[Timothy]

Yes, “he” should not be capitalized. Thanks for catching that. The preposition εἰς means “unto, into, for,” – extent. The idea is that he would not see death for the duration of the age. Again, IMO, that is the age to come. This phrase refers to indefinite time as opposed to infinite time, same as the Hebrew “olam.” It does not indicate an “end” but at the same time it does not necessarily mean “endless.” Here is how Young’s Literal Translation renders this verse: “Verily, verily, I say to you, If any one may keep my word, death he may not see — to the age.’ (Jn. 8:51 YLT)

[Sam V]

Thank you. I just today saw your latest response today.

I’d been in quite a quandary about John 8:51 and other similar passages where that phrase occurs (John 6:51, 58; 11:26).

Your comment on the phrase in the footnote to Heb. 5:6 (LGV) just compounded my confusion.

Perhaps “unto the age” may also mean “in the distant future”, in the same way that “from out of the age” appears to mean “in the distant past”?

[Timothy]

This clause is found many times in the LXX as a rendering of the Hebrew “olam.” This Hebrew term is sometimes claimed to mean infinite time, but more accurately it is indefinite time, as if beyond the horizon (without defining if or when an end might come). Given that the Jewish LXX translators translated “olam” as “unto the age” in Greek certainly could imply the same indefinite time. The NT seems to borrow this clause from the LXX.

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