The World – A Word Study

 

Is the Christian taken out of the world, or is he sent into it? In the articles in this issue on the main topic of "the world," it is repeatedly mentioned that the term "world" can have different meanings. Various terms are used in the basic Greek text, which can also be translated differently. With this word study, we would like to help you "get to grips" with the term "world" and its meanings from the basic text. This is also important in practical terms, as the Bible has very different ways of dealing with the worldThe word is used with different meanings. It can mean the whole of humanity (Gen 41:57) or the created world (Rom 1:20), but also a moral system that is opposed... More.

 

One translation – three terms

Where the word "world" is used in translations, the basic GreekUnlike Hellenists (Greek-speaking Jews; Acts 6:1; 9:29), Greeks, in the narrow sense of the word, come from Greece and have at least one Greek parent (Acts 16:3 in connection with... More text can use one of three different terms:

• Aion: The world as a period comes from the root word "always" and denotes a (unlimited or limited, but uninterrupted) period; it can be rendered as "eternity" or "age," but also – and this is what this article is about – as "course of time" or even "world."
• Kosmos: The world as an ordered system comes from the root word "to order" or "to adorn" in addition to the main meaning "world" (as an ordered system, also as the universe, earth), the meanings "order" or "adornment" also occur.
• Oikoumene: The world as an inhabited earth; in the Darby translations, this term is usually rendered as "circle of the earth" and refers to the inhabited earth or a specific country, e.g., the Roman Empire, with the focus on the inhabitants.

WorldThe word is used with different meanings. It can mean the whole of humanity (Gen 41:57) or the created world (Rom 1:20), but also a moral system that is opposed... More in the following sense:	kosmos	aion	oikoumene
Creation/Earth	X	X
Humanity	X		X („globe“)
WorldThe word is used with different meanings. It can mean the whole of humanity (Gen 41:57) or the created world (Rom 1:20), but also a moral system that is opposed... More System (evil)	X	X
Era; Eternity		X
Time “today”		X
Time (evil)		X

 

The WorldThe word is used with different meanings. It can mean the whole of humanity (Gen 41:57) or the created world (Rom 1:20), but also a moral system that is opposed... More as Creation – Created and Ordered by God, our Habitat

The entire creation is a system ordered by God. He created the worldThe word is used with different meanings. It can mean the whole of humanity (Gen 41:57) or the created world (Rom 1:20), but also a moral system that is opposed... More (Jn 1:10), gave the laws of nature, and ordered the worldThe word is used with different meanings. It can mean the whole of humanity (Gen 41:57) or the created world (Rom 1:20), but also a moral system that is opposed... More. The term kosmos is used in this sense, e.g., in the phrase "foundation of the worldThe word is used with different meanings. It can mean the whole of humanity (Gen 41:57) or the created world (Rom 1:20), but also a moral system that is opposed... More" (Mt 13:35; Eph 1:4; Heb 9:26; 1 Pet 1:20, etc.). The Christian – like all people – is part of creation; he is subject to the order given by God. However, unlike the Jews, for example, his faith is detached from the created material worldThe word is used with different meanings. It can mean the whole of humanity (Gen 41:57) or the created world (Rom 1:20), but also a moral system that is opposed... More and its elements. In the Law of Sinai, ceremonies, impurity regulations, etc., played a central role; for the Christian, spiritual rules now apply: He has died to the elements of the worldThe word is used with different meanings. It can mean the whole of humanity (Gen 41:57) or the created world (Rom 1:20), but also a moral system that is opposed... More (Col 2:20 ff.; Gal 4:3).

Creation can also be viewed in a narrower sense, limited to the earth (as opposed to heaven). The earth also has a certain order, rules, processes, and laws.

• Kosmos, in this sense, is the habitat of man in the sense of an ordered environment: man lives "in this world" (Jn 12:25). The Lord came into this world and left it again (Jn 13:1; 16:28). A Christian can take care of the "world" in the sense of earthly concerns and relationships (the relationship with a spouse is part of this earthly order) – but this tends to compete with the concerns of the Lord (1 Cor 7:32, 33). Christians "use the world" – understood as a temporal possession – but are not to use it as their own (1 Cor 7:31). Whoever gains the whole "world" but forfeits his soul has set the wrong priority (Mt 16:26).
• Aion can also refer to the "world" as a person's living environment; God made this too (Heb 1:2; 11:3). Here, the emphasis is sometimes more on the conditions of the time, the circumstances of life. The "sons of this worldThe word is used with different meanings. It can mean the whole of humanity (Gen 41:57) or the created world (Rom 1:20), but also a moral system that is opposed... More marry and are given in marriage" (Lk 20:34) – this applies to people of this time, believers, and unbelievers alike; only in the world to come will this no longer be the case (see v. 36). Thus the "care of the worldThe word is used with different meanings. It can mean the whole of humanity (Gen 41:57) or the created world (Rom 1:20), but also a moral system that is opposed... More" (Mt 13:22) is not a concern that revolves around worldly, evil things. But it revolves around the things that earthly life then and now brings with it (cf. the warning in 1 Tim 6:17 ff. or Phil 3:19). According to the Lord, the sons of this world are wiser than the children of light towards their generation (Lk 16:8) in that they think ahead, plan and shape their lives to achieve their goals and interests. For disciples of Jesus, this is to be understood as an incentive to be wise, for example, in dealing with earthly means, to use their presence on earth sensibly to create lasting values in heaven (cf. Mt 6:19) – for themselves and others (for example by giving money for missionary/evangelistic purposes). However, it becomes dangerous when the wisdom of the world detaches itself from God – it then becomes foolishness (1 Cor 1:20; 2:6; 3:18), is from below, "an earthly, sensual, devilish one" (Jas 3:15). Likewise, it is disastrous for a believer to love the present age (2 Tim 4:10) – for affection should not be for temporal things, but for eternal things.

 

The WorldThe word is used with different meanings. It can mean the whole of humanity (Gen 41:57) or the created world (Rom 1:20), but also a moral system that is opposed... More as Humanity – Loved by God, our Area of Responsibility

The "world" (kosmos) often simply means the people living there, humanity, sometimes also in the sense of "public" (e.g. Jn 7:4; 8:26; 12:19; 18:20; cf. Rom 1:8). God loved this world – humanity – so much "that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life" (Jn 3:16). The Lord came into the worldThe word is used with different meanings. It can mean the whole of humanity (Gen 41:57) or the created world (Rom 1:20), but also a moral system that is opposed... More, to mankind (1 Jn 4:9; cf. Jn 14:19). He did not come to judge the worldThe word is used with different meanings. It can mean the whole of humanity (Gen 41:57) or the created world (Rom 1:20), but also a moral system that is opposed... More – humanity – but to save it (Jn 12:47). He is the Savior of the worldThe word is used with different meanings. It can mean the whole of humanity (Gen 41:57) or the created world (Rom 1:20), but also a moral system that is opposed... More (Jn 4:42; 1 Jn 4:14) – people are the object of reconciliation"Reconcile" can also be translated as "balance." It describes how people are "brought into an agreement." "Reconcile with God" means to bring people or things into harmony with God. It... More (2 Cor 5:19).

In this worldThe word is used with different meanings. It can mean the whole of humanity (Gen 41:57) or the created world (Rom 1:20), but also a moral system that is opposed... More, the Lord was, and the believer is light (Mt 5:14; Jn 8:12); this light, when it shines among people, must keep away from the darkness (see below evil worldThe word is used with different meanings. It can mean the whole of humanity (Gen 41:57) or the created world (Rom 1:20), but also a moral system that is opposed... More system). As believers, we are sent into the worldThe word is used with different meanings. It can mean the whole of humanity (Gen 41:57) or the created world (Rom 1:20), but also a moral system that is opposed... More like Him (Jn 17:18), in which we are to live as sanctified ones. He lived, and we live among men as God's witnesses (Jn 14:31; 17:21, 23).

 

The WorldThe word is used with different meanings. It can mean the whole of humanity (Gen 41:57) or the created world (Rom 1:20), but also a moral system that is opposed... More as an (evil) WorldThe word is used with different meanings. It can mean the whole of humanity (Gen 41:57) or the created world (Rom 1:20), but also a moral system that is opposed... More System – Condemned by God, our Testing Ground

The Bible devotes a great deal of space to the warning against a "world" that is morally corrupt. It is an evil system that is hostile to God. Both terms (kosmos and aion) are used in this moral sense but with different emphases.

• With kosmos, the idea of the system, of order, is again in the foreground. The world, in this sense, is ruled by Satan, the "prince of this world" (Jn 12:31; cf. Eph 6:12) and is subject to God's judgment of condemnation (Jn 12:31; 1 Cor 11:32; 2 Pet 1:4). Thus, every person who has not yet been converted lives "according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience" (Eph 2:2). "The whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one" (1 Jn 5:19)

The world as an evil system is driven by three "engines": "All that is in the worldThe word is used with different meanings. It can mean the whole of humanity (Gen 41:57) or the created world (Rom 1:20), but also a moral system that is opposed... More, the lust of the fleshThe term "flesh" is used in different meanings in the Bible: a) as an expression of physicality or humanity, which is inextricably linked to our life on earth. Examples: “the... More, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not from the Father but is of the worldThe word is used with different meanings. It can mean the whole of humanity (Gen 41:57) or the created world (Rom 1:20), but also a moral system that is opposed... More" (1 Jn 2:16). Because of this fundamental moral contradiction, the "friendship of the world is enmity against God"; anyone who wants to be on friendly terms with this evil system "presents himself as an enemy of God" (Jas 4:4; 1 Jn 2:15).

The Christian is no longer part of the evil system; he is "not of the worldThe word is used with different meanings. It can mean the whole of humanity (Gen 41:57) or the created world (Rom 1:20), but also a moral system that is opposed... More" (Jn 17:14) but chosen out of it (Jn 15:19). God has chosen the foolish, the weak, the lowly, and the despised of the world (1 Cor 1:27, 28). Through faith in the gospel (Eph 1:13), the believer has received God's Spirit – "not the spirit of the worldThe word is used with different meanings. It can mean the whole of humanity (Gen 41:57) or the created world (Rom 1:20), but also a moral system that is opposed... More" – "to know the things that have been freely given to us by God" (1 Cor 2:12).

The world loves "its own"; since the Christian is "not of the world," he must be prepared for the world to hate him as it hated Christ (Jn 15:18, 19; cf. 16:20, 33; 17:14; 1 Jn 3:13). The Christian who is one with Christ through faith may say: "By whom (or: by which) the worldThe word is used with different meanings. It can mean the whole of humanity (Gen 41:57) or the created world (Rom 1:20), but also a moral system that is opposed... More has been crucified to me, and I to the worldThe word is used with different meanings. It can mean the whole of humanity (Gen 41:57) or the created world (Rom 1:20), but also a moral system that is opposed... More" (Gal 6:14). He has overcome the world through faith (1 Jn 4:4; 5:4, 5) and should "keep himself unspotted" from it (Jas 1:27; cf. 2 Pet 2:20); the Father protects him from the evil one (Jn 17:15).

• The word aion is used in a similar sense to kosmos when it comes to the world as a morally evil system. Still, the emphasis is generally more on the current of the times, the spirit of the age, which shapes people's thoughts and attitudes (hence the frequent translation as "course of time" – e.g., in Ephesians 2:2: "course of time (aion) of this worldThe word is used with different meanings. It can mean the whole of humanity (Gen 41:57) or the created world (Rom 1:20), but also a moral system that is opposed... More (kosmos)").

For believers who have converted to God, "walking according to the course of this worldThe word is used with different meanings. It can mean the whole of humanity (Gen 41:57) or the created world (Rom 1:20), but also a moral system that is opposed... More," which is based on Satan and their thoughts and desires, is basically a thing of the past (Eph 2:2, 3). Believers have been taken out of this "present evil world" through the death of the Lord Jesus (Gal 1:4) – not physically (because physically they are still in the worldThe word is used with different meanings. It can mean the whole of humanity (Gen 41:57) or the created world (Rom 1:20), but also a moral system that is opposed... More of creation and are exposed to its influences), but spiritually (because they are removed from the constraints and mechanisms of the evil worldThe word is used with different meanings. It can mean the whole of humanity (Gen 41:57) or the created world (Rom 1:20), but also a moral system that is opposed... More, do not have to be influenced and can live differently).

Satan is the god of the world. He blinds the minds of unbelievers, who cannot escape his influence because they do not have the Holy Spirit (2 Cor 4:4). But the spirit of the age also influences believers; the world's system of thought influences them. This is why Paul urges believers in Romans 12:2 to keep changing their practical mindset so that it corresponds to their position with God: "Do not be conformed to this worldThe word is used with different meanings. It can mean the whole of humanity (Gen 41:57) or the created world (Rom 1:20), but also a moral system that is opposed... More, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God."

 

At a Glance

The three main meanings of the term worldThe word is used with different meanings. It can mean the whole of humanity (Gen 41:57) or the created world (Rom 1:20), but also a moral system that is opposed... More (as a translation of kosmos or aion) and how the Christian relates to the worldThe word is used with different meanings. It can mean the whole of humanity (Gen 41:57) or the created world (Rom 1:20), but also a moral system that is opposed... More in each case can be presented briefly as follows – leaving the subtleties aside:

The worldThe word is used with different meanings. It can mean the whole of humanity (Gen 41:57) or the created world (Rom 1:20), but also a moral system that is opposed... More as …	The Christian …
Creation – created and ordered by God, suffering through the Fall of Man.	... lives in the worldThe word is used with different meanings. It can mean the whole of humanity (Gen 41:57) or the created world (Rom 1:20), but also a moral system that is opposed... More, is subject to its order. ... uses the worldThe word is used with different meanings. It can mean the whole of humanity (Gen 41:57) or the created world (Rom 1:20), but also a moral system that is opposed... More wisely, but not as his property, and without worrying about it or becoming fond of it.
Humanity – loved by God, trapped by sinThe Bible carefully differentiates between sin and sins. • Sin: the evil power at work in man that causes him to engage in sinful activities (Rom 7:17, 18). God pronounced... More.	... lives in the worldThe word is used with different meanings. It can mean the whole of humanity (Gen 41:57) or the created world (Rom 1:20), but also a moral system that is opposed... More and is sent to it. ... has the task of bearing witness as a "light" for the Savior of the worldThe word is used with different meanings. It can mean the whole of humanity (Gen 41:57) or the created world (Rom 1:20), but also a moral system that is opposed... More and living like Him.
Evil system – ruled by SatanThe Bible introduces us to the great adversary of God in Rev 20:2 under four terms: • Dragon • Old Serpent • Devil • Satan Under the term 'Satan,' the... More, opposed to God, condemned by God.	... is not of this worldThe word is used with different meanings. It can mean the whole of humanity (Gen 41:57) or the created world (Rom 1:20), but also a moral system that is opposed... More, but chosen out of it, taken out of it. ... is on the side of ChristA title of the Lord Jesus, which is also used as an epithet; Messiah (Hebrew) and Christ (Greek) mean "anointed one". The title refers to the fact that Jesus is... More, whom the worldThe word is used with different meanings. It can mean the whole of humanity (Gen 41:57) or the created world (Rom 1:20), but also a moral system that is opposed... More does not recognize and hates; it is crucified to him, and he is crucified to the worldThe word is used with different meanings. It can mean the whole of humanity (Gen 41:57) or the created world (Rom 1:20), but also a moral system that is opposed... More. ... overcomes it by faith, should not love it, should not be defiled by it. ... should not be conformed to it, but have a renewed, godly mind.