Bible Study "KOSMOS" in John 3:16

[JM]

Notes taken from the work of A.W. Pink:

1 "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."

2 "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.

3 "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.

4 "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."

5 "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 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 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!

7 "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.

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"!!

http://grace-for-today.com/awp1.htm

peace
j

 

[Free]

Are you trying to say that God doesn't love the sinner or ungodly?

 

[JM]

Notes taken from the work of A.W. Pink:

No. I agree with what Pink has to say. Are you saying God loves everyone with the same kind of love? see Jacob and Esau

jason

 

[Free]

Are you saying God loves everyone with the same kind of love? see Jacob and Esau

Are you saying that God loves us based on what we do or do not do?

 

[JM]

Are you saying God loves everyone with the same kind of love? see Jacob and Esau

Are you saying that God loves us based on what we do or do not do?

Rom. 9:11 (For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;)

Maybe it's time to re-read the first post without all the emotions and traditions to filter it.

jason :

 

[JM]

Are you saying God loves everyone with the same kind of love? see Jacob and Esau

Are you saying that God loves us based on what we do or do not do?

I have to ask, where in the world did you get that question based on my posts? I smell a red herring!

 

[Free]

I smell a red herring!

It's probably just Paul Martin and his merry band of Liberal crooks. You really should move out West.

I was just trying to see where you are coming from. I read the initial post, but I need to read it again, then I'll take you down. ;)

 

[JM]

I was just trying to see where you are coming from. I read the initial post, but I need to read it again, then I'll take you down. ;)

Anytime partner. :angel:

Please, never place you know who's name anywhere I'll read it, it makes me sick!

 

[Bick]

Kosmos

Hi Jason. It's true, the word "kosmos" in the Greek, means "orderly arrangement or system", thus, "world". And from the context one must arrive at which or what world.

I must disagree with A.W.Pink and you on a number of points:

1) In Acts 17:24, "world" means "world of mankind" not "the universe". Paul goes on to say, "Lord of heaven and earth," which to me means the universe.

2) The word for "earth" in Greek is "ge" which wasn't used. While out or away, from not only the world of mankind, but also the planet earth, is implied, "out of this world" reads better than "out of this earth."

7) Christ died on behalf of all mankind, not just those who are believing during the ages (eons). The creator, father of all mankind; the One who "will have all men to be saved and to come into the knowledge of the truth" 1 Tim. 2:4 KJV; " the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe." 1 Tim. 4:10, Note: "specially" not "exclusively"; He has a purpose for the ages that in Christ, all will be united, whether in the heavens or on the earth.
Yes, it is true that God chose Jacob instead of Essau, and raised up Pharaoh so that His power might be seen and His name be proclaimed in all the earth. Why? Because God has mercy on whom He wills. And, we, the church which is His body, have been chosen to be conformed to the image of His Son, and as we read in Ephesians, will be co-heirs with Christ in the heavenlies to exalt in the spiritual blessings, and to proclaim to principalities, authorities and powers in the heavenlies, the manifold wisdom and grace of God.
And what about the "vessels of wrath fitted for destruction" described in Romans 9, that is, all unbelievers? Is the "God of all mercy" confining them to an eternity of destruction, even though they weren't chosen? Is God, who was able to change the hearts of millions of Ninevehites at the preaching of Jonah, unable, through Christ, to forgive those being judged at the Great White Throne? And before the throne is where Christ will be vindicated, because the judgements received will be right and true. Now, to me, I believe every last person will fall in fear, and repent and believe in the Christ. But, they did not believe in their life, and after judging must suffer the second death in the lake of fire.
Is this the end? No. God has a plan for the ages (aionos-Gk), and we know they end: Heb.9:26, CLNT, "Yet now, once, at the conclusion of the eons, for the repudiation of sin through His sacrifice, is He manifest."
What about death? It will be destroyed or abolished as the last enemy of all the enemies which are put "under Christ's feet". Read this in 1 Cor. 15:22-28. With death abolished, and sin gone, the dead will be made alive. Christ will turn over His reign to God the Father, that God may be all in all. And God's kingdom and the future will be undending.

God bless you, Bick

 

[JM]

Thanks Bick for offering a classic semi-pelgian/Arminian view.

If Jesus died for everyone there is no need for hell. Do you deny hell? If you believe hell exists, why would someone be sent to hell if Jesus died for them? Was His death not enough? Didn't Jesus died to remove the stain of all sin or every sin BUT the sin of unbelief?

j

 

[Orthodox Christian]

Hi Jason:

If Jesus died for everyone there is no need for hell.

Hell is not necessary- in fact, it is against the will of God which is 'that none to perish.' Jesus' death makes it possible for any who believe and repent to come to the Father.

There is an artificial distinction made by Calvinists, who misuse the term 'eklektos/toi' to indicate those who are chosen for salvation.

The term simply means chosen (by God). Indeed there are many types of choosing, not all one call or gift:
Consider: eklektoi is used in the expression 'many are called, few chosen.' We would never assume that few are saved- but even if we did, the Calvinists would have to explain how God's calling fails on most.
Selah

This problem was created when God's omnipotence was artificially separated from His granting us free will by the competing parties of Reformers. We then had two distorted views of God's action in the world.

God is ominpotent, but He suspends His ability to make us do what He wants us to. Thus, we actually exist as independent beings, created by God. Well, we think we are independent, but in reality, we are interdependent. We are given by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit the ability to chose rightly, because we are unable to do so on our own. We must depend on God, and one another, to make it. Thus, God is shaping us into the unity found in the Trinity.

If you believe hell exists, why would someone be sent to hell if Jesus died for them?

The lake of fire is created for the devil and his angels, but hell is created by those who refuse God. I don't believe God 'sends' anyone anywhere. We chose heaven or hell. Of course, as I made clear before, only Christ's sacrifice makes it possible for us to have a choice, for we cannot win salvation by our deeds.

Let us be clear-salvation is a gift, not a mandate. Our free will is not a shill.

Didn't Jesus died to remove the stain of all sin or every sin BUT the sin of unbelief?

Some argue that the sin of unbelief is the 'blasphemy against the Holy Spirit.' I'm not real partial to that explanation. The sin of unbelief is ultimately the sin of separation between men and God and between men and each other. Faith is the substance of everything, my friend, even as it is written on the thigh of Word of God "faithful and true."
Faith is the substance of my marriage. Faith is the substance that allows martyrs to conquer the world by simply dying.

Rather than discussing unbelief as it is anything, or evil as it is anything, we must think of both as the absence of faith and the absence of good, respectively. Thus, the sin of unbelief is simply the absence of faith- and yes, life without faith is not life at all.

Be well.
James

 

[JM]

I did as you suggested and considered eklektoi and found more remarkable evidence for the doctrines of Grace. Using a simple online version of Strong's I looked up the word 'elect' and found the meaning to be in line with my understanding of the whole of Scripture. It means, 'picked out, chosen by God to obtain salvation.' Well now, that's a very simple way of explaining what I've posted. People seem to forget that the Jews were a chosen nation and the covenant was offered to Abram and not Pharoh.

Also see ekklesia.

The word in the N. T. devired from the English word church is ecclesia (ekklesia) this word is derived from calein (kalein) which means to call, to call out. This is effectual calling of the Holy Spirit bringing the dead sinner to life by regeneration. Why doesn't the Holy Spirit call everyone out?

The sin of unbelief is ultimately the sin of separation between men and God and between men and each other.

I understanding that sin separates us from God, but sin means missing the mark, if Jesus died so we wouldn't miss the mark then why are some sent to hell?

We should take turns posting a Scripture and giving our understanding of it and how we came to believe what we posted. I think this is a safe non-debate style we both would enjoy.

'many are called, few chosen.'

Many do hear a preaching giving the Gospel, but not all are chosen to accept it.

Peace

j