The World System in the Bible

Dennis McCallum and Gary DeLashmutt

This outline is condensed from Watchman Nee, Love Not the World.

Different meanings for Kosmos
1. The physical globe of earth.
2. The race of man alienated from God (Hebrews 11:38; John 14:17; John 15:18)
3. The underlying qualities which animate the world. - 1 Corinthians 2:12 - the spirit of the world; 1 Corinthians 3:19 - the wisdom of the world; 1 Corinthians 7:31 - the way of the world; Titus 2:12 - the lusts of the world; 2 Peter 1:4 - the corruption that is in the world; 2 Peter 2:20 - the defilement of the world; 1 John 2:15 - the things that are in the world
The hostility of the world system toward God and Christ
1. 1 Corinthians 1:21 - the world knew not God
2. John 7:7 - the world's works are evil
3. John 14:17 - the world cannot receive the spirit
4. John 15:18 - the world hated Christ
Therefore
- Christ says
  1. John 18:36 - My kingdom is not of this Kosmos
  2. John 16:33 - I have overcome the world
  3. John 12:31 Now is the judgement of this Kosmos
- In addition
  1. James 4:4*- Friendship with the world is enmity with God
  2. 1 John 2:15*- If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
  3. 1 John 5:4 - our faith overcomes the world
This is because there is a mind behind the system.
1. John 12:31; Jn. 14:30; Jn. 16:11 - the ruler of this world
2. 2 Corinthians 4:4 - the god of this world (the term here is not Kosmos, but ho seon houtos which is a synonym but contmeplates the world system from the aspect of time, or age, rather than space as does Kosmos. See also Romans 12:2 and #6).
3. Ephesians 2:2 - the prince of the power of the air
4. 1 Corinthians 2:8 - the demons are the rulers of this age or this world
5. Ephesians 6:12 - the demons are the world rulers (Kosmoskraters) of this darkness
6. 1 John 5:19*- the whole world lies in the power of the evil one
The believer is not to withdraw from the world system.
1. John 17:15, 16
2. 1 Corinthians 5:9,10
3. Philippians 2:15
4. Matthew 5:13-16
5. John 16:33