New Testament Words Explained: Wind - World

 •  2 min. read  •  grade level: 8
Wind.
We find three Greek words thus translated in the New Testament—pnoee, pneuma, and anenzos. The first means a very slight and gentle breeze in Acts 2:22And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. (Acts 2:2) however it is used for a strong fierce wind, the reason probably being that the word pneuma, which might properly express this, is here (as elsewhere) used for the Spirit Himself, and therefore to use it for the wind also would have produced confusion. Pneuma is however used for the wind in John 3:88The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit. (John 3:8). Anemos means a tempestuous wind (Matthew 7:55Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye. (Matthew 7:5); John 6; Acts 27:1414But not long after there arose against it a tempestuous wind, called Euroclydon. (Acts 27:14), etc.)
Wisdom and Knowledge.
Each of these words is expressed by two in Greek: wisdom by sophia and phroneesis, knowledge by gnosis and epignosis. Sophia is the highest word, meaning the knowledge of all things, human and divine. It is never used (unless ironically as in 1 Corinthians 1:20;220Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? (1 Corinthians 1:20)
4For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal? (1 Corinthians 3:4). 6) of evil people, but commonly of God and of good men. Phroneesis means cleverness or prudence, which may however be applied to good or evil ends; it is thus evident that it is far inferior to sophia (Luke 1:1717And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord. (Luke 1:17); Ephesians 1:88Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; (Ephesians 1:8); Matthew 10:1616Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. (Matthew 10:16)). In this last passage its exact meaning is well brought out, clearly showing its distinction from pure wisdom. The difference between sophia and gnosis is well expressed by the words “wisdom” and “knowledge,” the one being abstract and the other more concrete and definite. Epignosis means a full knowledge or perfect acquaintance (Romans 1:28; 3:20; 10:228And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; (Romans 1:28)
20Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. (Romans 3:20)
2For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. (Romans 10:2); 1 Corinthians 13:1212For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. (1 Corinthians 13:12); Ephesians 4:1313Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: (Ephesians 4:13), etc.)
World.
Four words quite distinct in their meaning are thus translated —Kosmos, alone, gee and oikounzenee. Speaking generally, the first word is the world as to space, the second as to time, the third is simply the earth, and the fourth the habitable part of it. Hence we read of the “end of the alone” (Matthew 13:3939The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels. (Matthew 13:39); 1 Corinthians 10, 11), but never of the end of the kosmos, with which the idea of time is not connected. The word kosmos originally meant the material world (Matthew 13:3535That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world. (Matthew 13:35); John 21:2525And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen. (John 21:25); Romans 1:2020For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: (Romans 1:20)) but afterward the people dwelling on it (John 1:29; 4:4229The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. (John 1:29)
42And said unto the woman, Now we believe, not because of thy saying: for we have heard him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world. (John 4:42); 2 Corinthians 5:1919To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. (2 Corinthians 5:19)), and lastly the world looked at as the corrupt system that has rejected Christ and out of which the church is gathered (John 1:1010He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. (John 1:10); 1 Corinthians 1:2020Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? (1 Corinthians 1:20); James 4:44Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God. (James 4:4); 1 John 3:1313Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you. (1 John 3:13)). Atone is best translated “age” and refers to the different dispensations of this world’s history-thus, “the millennial age.” Gee means land in contrast to water, while oikoumenee means the part of the globe that is inhabited as in Luke 2:11And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. (Luke 2:1), when all the habitable world was taxed.