Greek Word Study | 165: Age (aion)

Galatians 1:4 says that Christ died "to rescue us from this present evil age."  What is this referring to?

The NIV Study Bible (Gal 1:4) defines it as “the present period of the world’s history.  In contrast to the age to come, this present age is characterized by wickedness.”  The ESV Study Bible (Gal 1:4) defines it as "the state of the world apart from Christ until His return.”  The MacArthur Study Bible (Gal 1:4) defines it as "an order or system, and in particular… the current world system ruled by Satan.”  “The evil world system that is Satan’s domain.”  The New Living Translation (Gal 1:4) describes it as "this evil world in which we live."  The Reformation Study Bible (Gal 1:4) defines it as “the order of united human rebellion against God.”  The NIV Biblical Theology Study Bible (Gal 1:4) defines it as "the values and mindset of a world that has turned against God.”

The Bible says there are two different ages: this present age (Gal 1:4), and the age to come (Eph 1:21).  They are separated by the return of Christ.  Before Christ comes back, we are living in this present age.  When Christ comes, He will usher in the age to come.

The Bible says there are two kinds of people.  Children of the light, and children of this age (Lk 16:8).  The children of the light are Christians, and the children of this age are those who reject Christ.  Why did Christ come to rescue us from the present age?  Because it is evil (Gal 1:4). It is characterized by wickedness.  The children of this age are dominated by sin, directed by Satan, and destined for eternal suffering.

Commenting on Gal 1:4, William Hendriksen wrote, “It denotes the world in motion in contrast with cosmos which, though used in a variety of senses, indicates the world at rest.  The aeon, then, refers to the world viewed from the standpoint of time and change... It is the world or transitory era which is hastening to its close and in which, in spite of all its pleasures and treasures, there is nothing of abiding value.  Over against this present world or age is the coming world, the glory-age, that will be ushered in at the consummation of all things (Eph 1:21; 1 Tim 6:17; 2 Tim 4:10; Titus 2:12).”  (William Hendriksen, New Testament Commentary, Galatians.)

Herman Ridderbos says about this phrase in Gal 1:4, “This world (which really means world-period) is a world qualified by sin; the devil is its God (2 Cor 4:4; 1 Cor 2:6; Eph 2:2).  Hence, because of its sin it will go to its doom.  The purpose of the purging of sin through Christ is therefore also a redemption from this world as a doomed place... It consists also of a loosing of the saints from the sinful ties of this world, and of a liberation from the divine curse and wrath which rest on this world.”  (Herman Ridderbos, New International Commentary on the New Testament, Galatians.)

Ridderbos adds that aeon means a "period of time, world-period, world."

John Piper says about the phrase "this present evil age" in Galatians 1:4, “Until we die, or until Christ returns to establish his kingdom, we live in the present evil age.  Therefore, when the Bible says that Christ gave himself ‘to deliver us from the present evil age,’ it does not mean that he will take us out of the world, but that he will deliver us from the power of the evil in it."

John MacArthur says this word in Hebrews 1:3 "designates the physical universe itself and also its operation, its administration."  (Hebrews, 292.)

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