Ang Kahulugan ng “World” ayon sa Banal na Kasulatan

 by A. W. Pink

Ang katubusang ginawa ni Cristo ay para sa Hinirang lamang.

Mat 1:21, 20:28, 26:28

John 10:11, 11:50; Acts 20:28

Rom 8:32 - 34; Eph 5:25 - 27

Heb 2:17, 3:1, 9:15, 28

Rev 5:9

Mga “verses” na “waring” nagsasabi na si Cristo ay namatay para sa lahat:

I. World/Sanlibutan

It may appear to some of our readers that the exposition we have given of John3:16 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 exprience 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 concluded 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:

1. “Kosmos” is used of the Universe as a whole: Acts 17:24

2. “Kosmos” is used of the earth: John 13:1; Eph 1:4; Job 38:4.

3. “Kosmos” is used of the world-system: John 12:31; Matt 4:8; John 5:19.

4. “Kosmos” is used of the whole human race: Rom 3:19.

5. “Kosmos” is used of humanity minus believers: John 15:18; Rom 3:6. Believers do nor “hate” Christ, so that “the world” here must signify the world of un-believers 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 un-believers which is in view.

6. “Kosmos” is used of Gentiles in contrast from Jews: Rom 11:12. 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!

7. “Kosmos” is used of believers only: John 1:29; 3:16, 17; 6:33; 12:47; 1 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 predicted of “the world” in each place.

Thus it will be seen that “Kosmos” has at least seven 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 dilitary, 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 many 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 every one that “should not perish but have everlasting life.” That “the world” in John 3:16 refers to the world of believers (God’s elect), in contradiction form “the world of the ungodly” (2 Pet 2:5), is established, unequivocallly 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, 1 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!”

John 1:9, 29, 3:16 - 17, 4:42; 2 Cor 5:19; 1 John 2:1 - 2
 

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