The word "World"

[George]

World

As found in the New Testament

G2889
κόσμος
kosmos
kos'-mos
Probably from the base of G2865; orderly arrangement, that is, decoration; by implication the world (in a wide or narrow sense, including its inhabitants, literally or figuratively [morally]): - adorning, world.

G165
αἰών
aiōn
ahee-ohn'
From the same as G104; properly an age; by extension perpetuity (also past); by implication the world; specifically (Jewish) a Messianic period (present or future): - age, course, eternal, (for) ever (-more), [n-]ever, (beginning of the, while the) world (began, without end). Compare G5550.

G104
ἀεί
aei
ah-eye'
From an obsolete primary noun (apparently meaning continued duration); “ever”; by qualification regularly; by implication earnestly: - always, ever.

G5550
χρόνος
chronos
khron'-os
Of uncertain derivation; a space of time (in genitive case, and thus properly distinguished from G2540, which designates a fixed or special occasion; and from G165, which denotes a particular period) or interval; by extension an individual opportunity; by implication delay: - + years old, season, space, (X often-) time (-s), (a) while.

Doing a study of the word “world” as found in the New Testament leads to some rather interesting insight, understanding and for the analytical mind, statistics. The provocation for me to study the word came from a sermon done by Pastor Jim Schettler on the subject of Romans 12:2.

After looking up the word, “world” in that verse I was lead to looking at the word as found in 1 John 2:15-17. While the words are similar in intent and use they differ quite a bit. I believe the word, “world” in Romans 12:2 to have a much more broad implication than that same English word as found in 1 John 2. One of the other things I find again is the lack of expression or perhaps even the shortcoming of the English language as compared to the Greek of the New Testament. In our language we have one word for “world.” In the Greek of the New Testament there are a number of meanings to that same word. Two of those meanings occur most often. I shall go into the number of uses of the various Greek words below. I have included the definitions, according to Strong, above. I have yet to check Young, Wuest or any other reference work.

I mentioned Romans 12:2 as the basis for the provocation of this study. The Greek word found in that verse is given the Strong’s number G165: aiön. This word is found 129 times in the Greek New Testament. It has several different senses to its use including ever, world, never, evermore, ages, end, eternal, world’s, and course. It is quite interesting to note that Albert Barnes, John Gill and Jameson, Faucett and Brown all take the word as used in this verse to mean “age.” Which particular age or ages is not specifically stated nor is it possible to determine the actual intent and it is most often used to mean the particular age that we live in. Gill relates the word “age” to a dispensation. Barnes appears to follow this same intent although he does to spell it out. (See below) Again the particular dispensation intended is not known of a certainty. It could mean a number of them or indeed all of them. An in-depth look at the use of the word, “world” as used in this verse appears to show us “the word which is commonly rendered “world,” when applied to the material universe, is κόσμος kosmos, “cosmos.” The word used here properly denotes an age, or generation of people. It may denote a particular generation, or it may be applied to the race. It is sometimes used in each of these senses. Thus, here it may mean that Christians should not conform to the maxims, habits, feelings, etc., of a wicked, luxurious, and idolatrous age, but should be conformed solely to the words and meaning of the gospel; or the same principle may be extended to every age, and the direction may be, that Christians should not conform to the prevailing habits, style, and manners of the world, the people who know not God. They are to be governed by the laws of the Bible; to fashion their lives after the example of Christ; and to form themselves by principles different from those which prevail in the world.” ¹

The word used in 1 John 2:15-17 is assigned the Strong’s number G2889; kosmos. This Greek word appears 188 times in the New Testament, On 185 occasions it has the sense of meaning world. On two occasions, both found in 1 Peter 3:3, it means adorning and on one use it means world’s. I stated previously I believe the use of the word, “world” as found in Romans 12:2 to have a broader implication and thus application than that of the same English word as found in 1 John 2 for the primary reason the Greek word kosmos also includes the sense of meaning decoration, inhabitants and adorning. In Romans 12 the apostle Paul uses a broad brush to paint his words. Some may be left to wonder which part of the world he means if he indeed is limiting the use of the word at all. John spells things out a bit more specifically and thus I believe a bit more clearly.

John tells us not to love specific things of the world which when investigated spell out quite a bit. I find we must look at and bear in mind the meaning of the word “love” in order to have a good understanding of what is meant in this passage. (1 John 2:15-17) In a general sense love means to be pleased with; to regard with affection, on account of some qualities which excite pleasing sensations or desire of gratification. Of course there are other understandings of the application of the word “love” but I believe the intent here is as stated above.

¹ Albert Barnes, Barnes Notes on the Old and New Testament Vol. 10

In other words do not love, be pleased with, regard with affection, be excited by or desire gratification from the decorations of the world. I believe decorations here to have the sense of meaning jewelry, clothing, tattoos and things of that nature and can even be extended to apply to other things that are covered in the use of the word “adorning.”

Do not love, be pleased with, regard with affection, be excited by or desire gratification of or from the inhabitants of the world. Certainly we are told to love the brethren, our neighbors, our parents and others as spelled out in the Bible. However when the use of the word “love” as used here is placed into the context of the verse(s) it most certainly deals with the things modern people, the people of this age, are involved in and with that provide them with gratification, excitation and things of that sort. I believe the application here to mean such as the music of the world, some of the things seen on TV and at the movies, the content and advertising of certain magazines and things of that nature.

Then the final sense of the use of the word “love” as pertains to this world is that of adorning. Certainly the words decoration and adorning have very similar meanings yet they do differ. Decoration has the sense of meaning ornament; embellishment; any thing added which renders more agreeable to the eye or to the intellectual view. The word “adorning” means ornamenting; decorating; displaying beauty. The reader will notice the use of the words ornamenting and decorating in the definition of adorning. However it is important to look at the final portion of the definition; displaying beauty. Here we deal with things such as the use of makeup and the like but it can also apply to things as banal as the way we paint (adorn) our homes, cars, boats and other such possessions.

Some types of clothing may be considered decoration yet I believe the adorning of clothing normally accepted as proper can make it fall into the category of things we are not to love according to John. I also believe the Bible to indicate that when we come to Church we are to wear our best in order to show our love of, devotion to and obedience to the Lord. There can be an overstepping of dress. Our Christian demeanor and walk should demonstrate these things (our best) yet a manner of dress apart from and obviously different from the world is also important. When the adorning of our clothing gets to the point it draws a lot of attention and/or negative comments I believe we have crossed the line into adorning.

With a certainty more time and effort can be put into studying this one, seemingly simple word. I shall devote some of that time to the use of the reference works mentioned above. It is quite fascinating what can be gleaned from dissecting and defining a very few verses of God’s Holy Word.

Written and compiled by George Groce, September 2010