ἀΐδιος (aidios)
aidios
eternal
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The adjective aidios describes something that is eternal or everlasting, pointing to a quality without end. In the New Testament, it appears only twice, in Romans 1:20 and Jude verse 6. Its presence in these specific contexts highlights the permanent nature of divine attributes or judgments.
While often translated simply as "eternal," this word carries a distinct nuance compared to its near-synonym aiōnios. Lexical sources indicate that aidios emphasizes the unceasing duration of existence itself, whereas aiōnios often relates to an age or era. Although late Greek usage sometimes blurred this distinction, the original sense of aidios focuses on the timeless, uninterrupted character of what it describes.
In Romans 1:20, Paul uses aidios to describe God’s eternal power and divine nature, which are clearly perceived through creation. This usage underscores that God’s attributes are not temporary or changing but are fixed and perpetual. The word serves as a linguistic anchor for the concept of infinite continuity in Christian theology.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
When we look at the world around us, we see evidence of a power that never fades. The word aidios reminds us that God’s strength and divine nature are not temporary trends or passing phases. They have existed forever and will continue without end. This offers a steady foundation for our faith, knowing that the Creator behind the universe is constant even when our circumstances shift.
At the same time, this same eternal quality applies to judgment. The brief mention in Jude shows that moral choices carry weight that extends beyond our current moment. God’s justice is as enduring as His love. We can trust that right and wrong are not arbitrary rules but reflect the unchanging character of a holy God.
This dual picture invites us to rest in His power while respecting His justice. It encourages a life grounded in truth, where we find security in who God is rather than in the fleeting nature of our world.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- eternal2×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἀΐδιος1×
- ἀϊδίοις1×
Key Verses
-
Romans 1:20
For the invisible things of him since the creation of the world are clearly seen, being perceived through the things that are made, even his everlasting power and divinity, that they may be without excuse.
This verse uses aidios to describe God's power and divinity, emphasizing that His attributes are perceived through creation and remain constant without beginning or end.
-
Jude 1:6
Angels who didn’t keep their first domain, but deserted their own dwelling place, he has kept in everlasting bonds under darkness for the judgment of the great day.
Here the word modifies 'bonds,' highlighting that the consequences of abandoning one's post are not temporary but last until the final judgment.