World

Has several meanings in the Bible:

1. The Earth. Genesis 1–2 tell about the creation of the world, or earth.

2.

Wherever People Live. Jesus told His disciples to go into “all the world” and preach the gospel.

3. The Roman Empire. At the time of the birth of Jesus, Caesar Augustus wanted “all the world” to be taxed.

4.

Greek Culture. When Paul preached in Ephesus, a silversmith said that “the whole world” worshipped the goddess Artemis (Diana).

5.

The World to Come. This involves not only a new physical place, but also a new way of life.

6.

The People Who Live on the Earth. This is the meaning in John 3:16. Jesus told His disciples that the “world” hated Him because He pointed out its sins.

7.

Those Who Are Not Living the Way God W

ants People to Live. Jesus told the Pharisees that they were “of this world” but He was not. Paul said he had died to this world’s ideas of doing whatever pleases oneself. True holiness is to keep oneself unstained from the world’s basic idea of “me first.”