Something akin to the relationship between 'cube' and 'cubic', right?
I've learned that 'aion' is where we get the English word 'eon' from. In fact, it seems to be the very same word that's just been transliterated.
I've also learned that 'aionios' (or any of the words related to 'aion') does NOT mean "without beginning or end" and thus cannot be rightly translated "eternal" or even "forever" as it is commonly translated in the bible.
There's quite a lot that can be found around the internet about the word "aionios". The JWs in particular really seem hung up on the word to an extreme degree and so it's hard to find something online that isn't tainted by their cult teachings but, I found one article in particular that was well thought out and worth the read. Actually, I didn't read it all, it's quite long and you get the gist pretty quickly....
P.S. By the way, I DO NOT endorse L. Ray Smith or any of his teachings beyond what he's said specifically about the Greek words 'aion' and 'aionios' in that one article. He's a guy who believes Hell to be "a Christian hoax" and Lord knows what else.
P.S.S. After reading just a spattering of Mr. Smith's seemingly endless writings, I've discovered that he is, essentially, a Calvinist. Whether he would accept that title it doubtful because of the way he tends to tightly define words but at bottom, he believes that God controls everything that happens and intends to condemn people for doing things that God Himself caused to happen. In short, he believes that God is unjust, even though he would vehemently deny believing such a thing. He, like a Calvinistic fools, states that God is just but only after having emptied the concept of justice of all its meaning when applied to God.
P.S.S. Maybe some of you Calvinistic/Augustinian people here on TOL could read through some of Smith's work and pick up some new arguments to come at us Open Theists with. That would be fun! (Seriously!)
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