World, The

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The word commonly so rendered in the Old Testament is tebel, signifying “the habitable earth:” it is an expression of limited bearing, applied to that sphere which comes more directly under divine dealings (Psa. 90:22Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God. (Psalm 90:2)); and to the inhabitants, who will be judged (Psa. 9:88And he shall judge the world in righteousness, he shall minister judgment to the people in uprightness. (Psalm 9:8)). The word in the New Testament answering to the above, is; οἰκονμέη its various applications can be seen (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); Acts 11:2828And there stood up one of them named Agabus, and signified by the Spirit that there should be great dearth throughout all the world: which came to pass in the days of Claudius Caesar. (Acts 11:28); Acts 17:6, 316And when they found them not, they drew Jason and certain brethren unto the rulers of the city, crying, These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also; (Acts 17:6)
31Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead. (Acts 17:31); Acts 19:2727So that not only this our craft is in danger to be set at nought; but also that the temple of the great goddess Diana should be despised, and her magnificence should be destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worshippeth. (Acts 19:27); Heb. 2:55For unto the angels hath he not put in subjection the world to come, whereof we speak. (Hebrews 2:5)). In the last passage it is the coming world, that is, that which is put under the Son of Man, that is spoken of.
In the New Testament κόσμος is the more general word, which in Greek writers signifies “order, regularity, ornament”; it is translated “adorning” (1 Pet. 3:33Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; (1 Peter 3:3)). The heaven and the earth, because of their order and beauty, are called cosmos, “the world.” This word is employed for “world” in its various meanings, as for instance the material earth (Rom. 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)); the inhabitants of the world that will be judged (Rom. 3:66God forbid: for then how shall God judge the world? (Romans 3:6)); and in a moral sense as the condition and spirit which is opposed to God (1 Cor. 2:1212Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. (1 Corinthians 2:12); 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 2:1616For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. (1 John 2:16)).
Another word, αἰών, “age, duration,” is applied both to the present age, the course of this world, and to age-enduring, or eternity (Rom. 12:22And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. (Romans 12:2); Gal. 1:44Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father: (Galatians 1:4); Eph. 1:2121Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: (Ephesians 1:21); Eph. 6:1212For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. (Ephesians 6:12)). With a preposition it is translated “forever,” and when the word is repeated, “forever and ever,” or “to the ages of ages” (2 Cor. 9:99(As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever. (2 Corinthians 9:9); Gal. 1:55To whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. (Galatians 1:5); Phil. 4:2020Now unto God and our Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen. (Philippians 4:20); 1 Tim. 1:1717Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen. (1 Timothy 1:17)). In two passages this word refers to the material worlds (Heb. 1:22Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; (Hebrews 1:2); Heb. 11:33Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear. (Hebrews 11:3)).