Ages or world?

Hebrews 1:2

The Son is the agent of creation—“through whom also he made the world” (1:2). The idea of agent is clearly indicated by the prepositional phrase: “through whom.” There is some debate, however, as to the meaning of the Greek word aionas, translated world in all the major translations. This is not the normal Greek word for world (kosmos). The word used here primarily means a period of time, an area, duration, or age. It is clear that time is an element of the word. Sasse notes it is “a long but limited stretch of time...signifies the time of duration of the world, i.e. limited by creation and conclusion.”[1] However, he also points out that the word “can pass over into that of the ‘world’ itself, so that aiwn approximates closely to kosmos” (Matt. 13:22; Mark 4:19; 1 Cor. 1:20; 2:6; 3:19).[2] Many identify the word strictly as synonymous with the material universe, i.e. the physical world.[3] I believe such a narrow view is a mistake, and that it should be translated “through whom he made the ages.” I hold this view based on the following:

(1) Making it synonymous fails to take into account the full meaning of the Greek word by dismissing or doing away with the time element of the word. The common meaning is age. While it is said that its meaning here and in Hebrews 11:3 cannot be restricted to “ages,”[4] neither can the restricted view of the material universe be upheld.
(2) This does not dismiss the material universe, but suggests the plan or course of ages through which the material universe must past. Just as the physical material world must follow its set course in the universe, so it must follow the set course of the ages or dispensations in the plan and purpose of God.
 (3) The text is plural in the Greek it is not limited to the material world. The singular would have been used if it were speaking simple of the material world.
(4) Both the ages and world were created at the same time (Gen. 1). Time is clearly an element of creation, seen clearly by the dividing of evening and morning. Also it is indicate by the word days in Genesis 1. Time is a clear element of creation.

I agree with Newell, aionas “refer(s) to those processes in each age by which God is bringing to pass His great purpose.”[5] God has ordered and arranged the ages through Christ. 

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[1] H. Sasses, “aiwn,” Theological Dictionary of the New Testament, [Eerdmans, Grand Rapids], 1:202.

[2] Ibid, 204. 

[3] Hughes, HEBREWS, [Eerdmans, Grand Rapids], 39-49; Ellingworth, NIGTC; HEBREWS, [Eerdmans, Grand Rapids],96

[4] F.F. Bruce, NINTC; HEBREWS, [Eerdmans, Grand Rapids], 4.

[5]  William R. Newell, HEBREWS: VERSE BY VERSE, [Moody Press, Chicago, 1947], 10.