World – Context – Which World or Kosmos?

A Verse:

“and He Himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world.” (1 John 2:2, NASB)

Question

Who is the “us” and what is the “World” (Kosmos) referred to in 1 John 2:2?

Reply:

Someone said that the “World” refers to “the Old Covenant” while others said that it refers to the “Gentiles”.

Let’s consider other Verses containing the same Greek Word Kosmos (translated as World) from this same chapter first to understand what is meant here more clearly (considering consecutive Verses first).

“For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever.” (1 John 2:16 – 17, NASB)

The “World and the lust” is said to be “passing away” in this same Verse in 1 John 2:17.

So if their argument is true then, the “lust” have ended too just like the “Old Covenant or Gentiles” 2000 years ago which is as absurd in meaning as their claim (please note that all these Verses contain the SAME Greek-Word-KOSMOS translated as WORLD).

If the word World refers to the “Old Covenant” (in 1 John 2:2), that’s a contradiction too as Jewish lust (and false teachings) still exist in many form of Judaism today which deny Christ the Son and hence has “NOT passed away” (as some Preterist’s claim) but “is passing away” (in 1 John 2:17).

The Definition of “World” is NOT “Israel’s Old Covenant” NOR “Gentile” simply because in 1 John 2:16, the Bible mentions first that the “lust of the flesh, eyes” are from this “WORLD” which clearly includes the Devils (spiritual wickedness in the heavenlies) etc. and thus cannot refer to Gentiles or Jews only but inclusive of them too as “part of the World”.

Further, if God wanted to refer to “Israel” or “Jews” or “Old Covenant” or “Gentiles” when it is Written as “World”, those words would have appeared in the text as it exists elsewhere in New Testament Greek but obviously it’s NOT the case here.

The word is “Kosmos” or “World” which defines the space in which all creation exists, visible and invisible in the heavens and the earth. Here’s a Verse defining the ‘one meaning’ of “World” (Kosmos) in Biblical Factual Statements:

“for the invisible things of Him from the creation of the world, by the things made being understood, are plainly seen, both His eternal power and Godhead — to their being inexcusable;” (Romans 1:20, YLT)

The “last hour” was the “last hour of that Day”. The “age” is split to “many days” and “days into hours”.

The phrase such as “this generation shall not pass away” occurs in the ‘middle of Him describing a Prophecy or Event’ and thus refers to the ‘people who are living during the time that Prophecy is being Fulfilled’.

In another instance, the phrase “some will not taste death till they see the Son of Man coming in His Kingdom” is true since for example Apostle John saw “Christ Coming in His Kingdom” (e. g. Revelation 19) in “visions” which could be evidenced by others too but not Written in New Testament Verses.

“Us” refers NOT to Israel but “believers” (both Christian Jews and Gentiles) as the early Gentile church fathers quoted this letter too being aware of it in their congregations.

If apostle John wanted to refer to Israel, he would have just wrote “Israel” or “believing Jews” instead of “us”. The “us” refers to “all believers” since Christ has Resurrected and the Gospel being inclusive of “Gentiles” too is already revealed in say the ‘Great Commission’ as opposed to the “sent only to the Lost Sheep of Israel only” which defines the Context for the Gospel Writings (Different Context clearly). Let’s not mix these separate contexts and confuse ourselves or others too.

Conclusion

The Fact that His “Full and Perfect Atonement” extends to the “Whole World” (1 John 2:2) and not “us” (believers only, e. g. ALL men in 1 Timothy 4:10) is clear from Holy Scripture as “ALL Created things” (Visible vs Invisible etc. Includes the Lake of Fire or Gehenna too, definition: Colossians 1:16) will be “Reconciled” back to Him (Colossians 1:20) in its “Own Divine-Kairois Times-plural” (1 Timothy 2:6) and this is what is meant as “God Reconciling the WORLD (Kosmos) back to Himself” (2 Corinthians 5:19) as the “Mystery or Secret of His Will” (Ephesians 1:9 – 10) till God becomes “ALL in All [Creation]” (1 Corinthians 15:28, Romans 8:20 – 22) in the “dispensation of Fullness of the Times” (Ephesians 1:10).

P/S: Deepest Truths – Universal Reconciliation in Lord Jesus Christ, the Blessed Saviour of the World! (1 John 4:14)

The Same Greek Word KOSMOS (or “World”) occurs in these Verses too which Reveal Deeper Mysteries Regarding His Gospel applying the Healing & Restoration Word toward ALL CREATION eventually.

Yes the apostles are sent into all the WORLD:

“As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world.” – Lord Jesus Christ (John 17:18, NASB)

Yes, way ‘beyond a missionary work in this temporal life but into the afterlife as well’ (the first occurrence of this is and NOT the only occurrence of this is recorded in 1 Peter 3:19 – 20 and is generalized for ALL THE DEAD likewise as PART of the AFTERLIFE JUDGMENT Process, 1 Peter 4:5 —> to hear the GOSPEL too but thereafter LIVE TO GOD IN SPIRIT eventually as 1 Peter 4:6 Reveals Majestically) —> beyond that, till the Healing Word of His GOSPEL is PREACHED and applies to ALL CREATION as well making it to be BORN AGAIN (Romans 8:22) by sharing the Liberty of the Sons of God in the area of being SET FREE FROM SIN & ITS EFFECTS eventually (Romans 8:20 – 21, e.g.regarding men for example —> the Law-breakers enter His Kingdom, Matthew 5:19, Matthew 21:31 but do NOT inherit it, 1 Corinthians 6:9 – 10) as the ‘Great Commission in All Inclusiveness’ is BEYOND MISSIONARY WORK in this LIFE ONLY as Popularly Erred (thinking ‘otherwise’ AGAINST all these Verses):

“And He said to them, “Go into all the WORLD and PREACH the GOSPEL to ALL CREATION.” – Lord Jesus Christ (Mark 16:15, NASB)

Truly:

“He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him.” (John 1:10, NASB)

I repeat, each Verse containing the word “World” refers to the SAME Greek Word KOSMOS here.

His Will CANNOT be Stopped till it is ALL FULFILLED as It is WRITTEN:

“THY WILL be DONE”.

Peace to you

“We have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son to be the Savior of the world.” – the Apostles and the Earliest Church (1 John 4:14, NASB)