One of the easiest ways for us to mistakenly read something into Scripture comes from us thinking from a soulish perspective, from our vocabulary which we developed while still unbelievers or when we are out of fellowship, then sliding the implied meanings of our scarred vocabulary into the context of Scripture.
You’ve provided an outstanding word in the Greek, which depending upon the meaning, greatly influences the meaning of a number of Scriptures, even many closely associated with the Gospel. So when in doubt let’s let the Word of God help us in our search for verity.
The Greek word KOSMOS, is also used in opposition to the word CHAOS. CHAOS, also easily understood as “disorder” is the opposite of KOSMOS, or an “ordering”.
We also associate the meaning of KOSMOS with “world” or “worldly”. When understood in the context of the opposite meaning, we find out quite a bit about what is said, and what is not said in Scripture. So as not to add anything more to Scripture than what is already presented, the simplest truths can become understood, only through faith in Christ, by the work of God the Holy Spirit in us.
Look again at the passages presented using the term KOSMOS, but this time in a simpler fashion, with respect to that which has been ordered or put into an order, say from the time of CHAOS, which some associate with the Fall.
We might clumsily place much confidence in a physical universe we observe by astronomy, but a more powerful perception is made available to us through faith in Christ.
Some might love order, but it is also possible to make isolated and temporary order in systems which fail to respect legitimate authority and counterfeit systems which lack fellowship with Him.
Regarding angels, there are some who go further to claim angels have received salvation, because some angels are qualified as ‘fallen’ while others are qualified as ‘elect’. I don’t know the proper analysis of that distinction, but the qualifiers are used of angels. There is some meaning for that discernment.
Thanks much!!!
Interesting. But I think you only got into the preface.
I’m hungry for the main course.
Perhaps you could start a thread and give us a teaching on cosmos and order in Scripture or in God’s Kingdom vs the sin polluted temporary ______________ don’t know what word to use.