It may appear to some of our readers that the exposition we have given of John 3:16 in the chapter on "Difficulties and Objections" is a forced and unnatural one, inasmuch as our definition of the term "world" seems to be out of harmony with the meaning and scope of this word in other passages, where, to supply the world of believers (God�s elect) as a definition of "world" would make no sense. Many have said to us, "Surely, �world� means world, that is, you, me, and everybody." In reply we would say: We know from experience how difficult it is to set aside the "traditions of men" and come to a passage which we have heard explained in a certain way scores of times, and study it carefully for ourselves without bias Nevertheless, this is essential if we would learn the mind of God.
Many people suppose they already know the simple meaning of John 3:16, and therefore they conclude that no diligent study is required of them to discover the precise teaching of this verse. Needless to say, such an attitude shuts out any further light which they otherwise might obtain on the passage. Yet, if anyone will take a Concordance and read carefully the various passages in which the term "world" (as a translation of "kosmos") occurs, he will quickly perceive that to ascertain the precise meaning of, the word "world" in any given passage is not nearly so easy as is popularly supposed.
The word "kosmos," and its English equivalent "world," is not used with a uniform significance in the New Testament. Very far from it. It is used in quite a number of different ways. Below we will refer to a few passages where this term occurs, suggesting a tentative definition in each case:
"Kosmos" is used of the Universe as a whole: Acts 17: 24 - "God that made the world and all things therein seeing that He is Lord of heaven and earth." is used of the Universe as a whole: Acts 17: 24 - "God that made the world and all things therein seeing that He is Lord of heaven and earth."
"Kosmos" is used of the earth: John 13:1; Eph. 1:4, etc., etc.- "When Jesus knew that his hour was come that He should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved His own which were in the world He loved them unto the end." "Depart out of this world" signifies, leave this earth. "According as He hath chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world." This expression signifies, before the earth was founded�compare Job 38:4 etc.
"Kosmos" is used of the world-system: John 12:31 etc. "Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the Prince of this world be cast out"� compare Matt. 4:8 and I John 5:19, R. V.
"Kosmos" is used of the whole human race: Rom. 3: 19, etc.�"Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God."
"Kosmos" is used of humanity minus believers: John 15:18; Rom. 3:6 "If the world hate you, ye know that it hated Me before it hated you." Believers do not "hate" Christ, so that "the world" here must signify the world of unbelievers in contrast from believers who love Christ. "God forbid: for then how shall God judge the world." Here is another passage where "the world" cannot mean "you, me, and everybody," for believers will not be "judged" by God, see John 5:24. So that here, too, it must be the world of unbelievers which is in view. is used of humanity minus believers: John 15:18; Rom. 3:6 "If the world hate you, ye know that it hated Me before it hated you." Believers do not "hate" Christ, so that "the world" here must signify the world of unbelievers in contrast from believers who love Christ. "God forbid: for then how shall God judge the world." Here is another passage where "the world" cannot mean "you, me, and everybody," for believers will not be "judged" by God, see John 5:24. So that here, too, it must be the world of unbelievers which is in view.
"Kosmos" is used of Gentiles in contrast from Jews: Rom. 11:12 etc. "Now if the fall of them (Israel) be the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them (Israel) the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their (Israel�s) fulness." Note how the first clause in italics is defined by the latter clause placed in italics. Here, again, "the world" cannot signify all humanity for it excludes Israel!
"Kosmos" is used of believers only: John 1:29; 3:16, 17; 6:33; 12;47; I Cor. 4:9; 2 Cor. 5:19. We leave our readers to turn to these passages, asking them to note, carefully, exactly what is said and predicated of "the world" in each place. is used of believers only: John 1:29; 3:16, 17; 6:33; 12;47; I Cor. 4:9; 2 Cor. 5:19. We leave our readers to turn to these passages, asking them to note, carefully, exactly what is said and predicated of "the world" in each place.
Thus it will be seen that "kosmos" has at least seven clearly defined different meanings in the New Testament. It may be asked, Has then God used a word thus to confuse and confound those who read the Scriptures? We answer, No! nor has He written His Word for lazy people who are too dilatory, or too busy with the things of this world, or, like Martha, so much occupied with "serving," they have no time and no heart to "search" and "study" Holy Writ!
Should it be asked further, But how is a searcher of the Scriptures to know which of the above meanings the term "world" has in any given passage? The answer is: This may be ascertained by a careful study of the context, by diligently noting what is predicated of "the world" in each passage, and by prayer fully consulting other parallel passages to the one being studied.
The principal subject of John 3:16 is Christ as the Gift of God. The first clause tells us what moved God to "give" His only begotten Son, and that was His great "love;" the second clause informs us for whom God "gave" His Son, and that is for, "whosoever (or, better, �every one�) believeth;" while the last clause makes known why God "gave" His Son (His purpose), and that is, that everyone that believeth "should not perish but have everlasting life."
That "the world" in John 3:16 refers to the world of believers (God�s elect), in contradistinction from "the world of the ungodly" (2 Pet. 2:5), is established, unequivocally established, by a comparison of the other passages which speak of God�s "love." "God commendeth His love toward US"�the saints, Rom. 5:8. "Whom the Lord loveth He chasteneth"�every son, Heb. 12:6. "We love Him, because He first loved US"�believers, I John 4:19.
The wicked God "pities" (see Matt. 18:33). Unto the unthankful and evil God is "kind" (see Luke 6:35). The vessels of wrath He endures "with much long-suffering" (see Rom. 9:22). But "His own" God "loves"!!
The meaning and difinition of the word "cozmos" taken from the greek...
Kosmos ~ G2889
1) an apt and harmonious arrangement or constitution, order, government
2) ornament, decoration, adornment, i.e. the arrangement of the stars, 'the heavenly hosts', as the ornament of the heavens. 1 Pet. 3:3
3) the world, the universe...[[[ BINGO!!! ]]]
4) the circle of the earth, the earth...[[[ BINGO!!! ]]]
5) the inhabitants of the earth, men, the human family�.[[[ BINGO!!! ]]]...Read it again please....
6) the ungodly multitude; the whole mass of men alienated from God, and therefore hostile to the cause of Christ�[[[ BINGO!!! Again ]]]...Read it again please....
7) world affairs, the aggregate of things earthly
a) the whole circle of earthly goods, endowments riches, advantages, pleasures, etc, which although hollow and frail and fleeting, stir desire, seduce from God and are obstacles to the cause of Christ
8) any aggregate or general collection of particulars of any sort
a) the Gentiles as contrasted to the Jews (Rom. 11:12 etc)
From base word G2865 ~ komizo
1) to care for, take care of, provide for
2) to take up or carry away in order to care for and preserve
3) to carry away, bear off
4) to carry, bear, bring to, to carry away for one's self, to carry off what is one's own, to bring back
a) to receive, obtain: the promised blessing....[[[ Thank you Father and Thank you Yahshua!!!! ]]]
b) to receive what was previously one's own, to get back, receive back, recover....[[[ Again...Thank you Father and Thank you Yahshua!!! ]]]..:bow:...xo
"Kosmos" is used of believers only: John 1:29; 3:16, 17; 6:33; 12;47; I Cor. 4:9; 2 Cor. 5:19. We leave our readers to turn to these passages, asking them to note, carefully, exactly what is said and predicated of "the world" in each place.
8) any aggregate or general collection of particulars of any sort
In fact, read the whole article again, please.
2 Tim. 2: 15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
8) any aggregate or general collection of particulars of any sort
a) the Gentiles as contrasted to the Jews (Rom. 11:12 etc)
*** Exactly....a WhoSoEver!!!!....Dont need to read a sermon about a verse...Only need to Understand the "Meaning and Difinition" of the Word and or Verse in the Scripture...
*** Example....from just the 1st half of #8...it "could" refer to any General Collection of Writtings of Any Sort...say like...the Dead Sea Scrolls or Nostic Gospels...BUT....it doesnt say that or mean that now does it ???....Its saying...8) any aggregate or general collection of particulars of any sort a) the Gentiles as contrasted to the Jews (Rom. 11:12 etc)...it is conveying a Iinclusive of ANY SORT of particle...NOt speaking of those that Dont Accept Yahweh~Yahshua....
"And the 2nd half of #8....well...there is a Contrast betwix the Gentiles and Jews...Yahweh uses Gentiles to make Jews "Jealous"...he turned and offered his Promises to Gentiles...did He not ?...Ya...His Word never returns void....
Of course Scripture Interprets Scripture...never said it didnt...Scripture says what it says and it means what it means...
Some could say its all in the Interpretation of it...Some say it says and means one thing...while others say it says and means another thing...Why is that ???....Its because they Interpret it and Want it to say what they want so it fits their doctrinal and theological beliefs instead of accepting it for what it says...Go figer that one Martha...:laugh:...
Plan and Simple...This OP isnt about what the Scripture or Verse is Saying or Meaning at all...Its about Deliberatly Instagating a Bash and Sway of those that Believe Contrary to Reformed Calvinistic point of view...xo
"Its about Deliberatly Instagating a Bash and Sway of those that Believe Contrary to Reformed Calvinistic point of view"
wrong again, it about the truth and contentious people like you confusing others, and adding all your text book meanings to what God's word says to prove your self will heresy.
This post is about "THE MEANING OF "KOSMOS" IN JOHN 3:16". To boldly declare that the original author of the article or the poster of the article are trying doing anything other than present the true meaning of the verse is ridiculous.
"This OP isnt about what the Scripture or Verse is Saying or Meaning at all...Its about Deliberatly Instagating a Bash and Sway of those that Believe Contrary to Reformed Calvinistic point of view." - This is pure assumption and you know what they say about assumption.
Rather than try to stir up strife by assuming upon two strangers intentions, why not be more charitable?
This post is about "THE MEANING OF "KOSMOS" IN JOHN 3:16". To boldly declare that the original author of the article or the poster of the article are trying doing anything other than present the true meaning of the verse is ridiculous.
*** And I shared the Meaning and Difination also...just not the same one you shared...and I shared other Truth here....you just didnt like it...
Compassion ???....Whats that got to do with the Post ???...Nothing...However...I'll leave the 2 of you to your ways...Hava God Filled and HolySpirit Filled day...xo
