The Greek word aion means age and should therefore be rendered consistently. Translations with words like “world” or “eternity” are incorrect and cannot be a consistent rendering of aion.
That translators have been aware of this is evident from the fact that they have translated this word in various ways, depending on their interpretation of the context. But a word cannot be translated based on the meaning one assigns to the context. It is precisely the meaning of the words that is needed to understand that context! A concordant, that is, consistent translation, therefore requires that aion be rendered as aeon throughout.
future aeons
Scripture explicitly speaks of a future aeon (Eph. 1:21) and even of future aeons (Eph. 2:7). This refers to ages yet to come, each with a beginning and an end.
The translation “eternity” for the word aion is therefore misleading.
eternal times
In this context, it is particularly interesting that the Bible speaks several times of “eternal times” and even of “before eternal times.” These expressions do not align with the prevailing understanding of the term “eternal.” After all, how can there be a time before eternal times, if “eternal” were to mean: without beginning and without end? And how can times themselves be “eternal”? The term “times” is plural and by definition presupposes a succession of distinct time periods.
Romans 16 CLV
25 Now to Him Who is able to establish you in accord with my evangel, and the heralding of Christ Jesus in accord with the revelation of a secret hushed in times eonian.
a secret hushed
This is a long sentence, which, moreover, is not yet finished here. Paul is speaking about the mystery, or the secret, which he was authorized to make known. That secret had remained hidden until then and had not been revealed in all previous ages. The Statenvertaling translates this as the times of the ages. This accurately reflects the meaning, but the original text uses the adjective aionios, derived from aion: aeonian. Literally, it refers to aeonian times.
Titus 1 CLV
2 Iin expectation of life eonian, which God, Who does not lie, promises before times eonian.
Here too, we are referring to aeonian times. These are world ages that follow one another. Aeonian life is the life of the future aeon (Mark 10:30; Luke 18:30). More on that later.
2 Timothy 1 CLV
8 (…) God,
9 Who saves us and calls us with a holy calling, not in accord with our acts, but in accord with His own purpose and the grace which is given to us in Christ Jesus before times eonian.
Meaningless
When our translations speak of “eternal times,” the concept remains vague and meaningless. However, if we read “aeonian times,” it becomes concrete. We then see that the Bible assumes a succession of distinct eras.