Now we have come full circle. I wish that you guys would listen and take note of the words that I am providing for you. The translated word "destruction" or "perish" in reference to the wicked, does not mean annihilation or extinction. Below is a scriptural example and the definition of the Greek word "apoleia" which comes from the base word "apollumi" translated as "destruction."
"Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to
destruction, and many enter through it."
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HELPS Word-studies
Cognate: 684 apṓleia (from
622 /apóllymi, "cut
off") –
destruction, causing someone (something) to be
completely severed – cut
off (entirely)
from what
could or should have been. (Note the force of the prefix,
apo.)
See 622 (
apollymi).
684 /apṓleia ("perdition")
does not imply "annihilation" (see the meaning of the root-verb,
622 /apóllymi, "cut off") but instead "loss of
well-being" rather than
being
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Regarding the above definition, please take note of what is highlighted in
"Red." The word "apoleia" which is translated as "destruction" in the scripture above, does not imply annihilation, but rather complete loss of well being, ruination. Here is another example of the root word "apollumi."
"When He got into the boat, His disciples followed Him. Suddenly a violent storm came up on the sea, so that the boat was engulfed by the waves; but Jesus was sleeping. The disciples went and woke Him, saying, “Lord, save us! We are perishing!”
So, the same word is used in the scripture above, does this mean that the disciples were worried about becoming extinct or annihilated? Here's another example of the same word:
"Neither do men put new wine into old bottles: else the bottles break, and the wine runneth out, and the bottles
perish: but they put new wine into new bottles, and both are preserved."
Regarding the word the translated word "perish" in the scripture above, is Jesus saying that the wine and the wine skins will become extinct or annihilated. Both of these scriptures are using the same words apoleia and its root word apollumi. Here's another use of the word "apoleia."
"Now some of those present expressed their indignation to one another: “Why this
waste of perfume? It could have been sold for over three hundred denarii and the money given to the poor.” And they scolded her. "
In the scripture above, the word "apoleia" is translated as "waste," does that mean that the perfume was annihilated or that it had become extinct? No, but they considered it a waste or "ruined" because she had poured this expensive perfume on Jesus head.
We need to study these words and not rely on the translated English words. The problem is that when the words "destroy or perish" are used, people tend to apply the definition of annihilation or extinction to them, which is false. We need to look at the actual Greek words that are being used and how they are used elsewhere.