κόσμος
kosmos
world
Lexicon Entry
Lexicon data from STEPBible TIPNR, Tyndale House, Cambridge. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
What Original Readers Understood
ExploredThe Greek word κόσμος (kosmos) is a term with a broad meaning, encompassing the concept of the world. It appears 187 times in the Bible, indicating its significance in various contexts. In its most basic sense, kosmos refers to the physical world, including the earth, its inhabitants, and the natural environment. Beyond its literal meaning, kosmos is often used metaphorically to describe the social, cultural, and moral fabric of the world. It can represent the fallen or corrupted state of human society, as well as the broader cosmic forces that shape human experience. The frequency of its occurrence in the Bible suggests that the concept of kosmos is a central theme in the New Testament, highlighting the interconnectedness of human existence and the world around us. The significance of kosmos lies in its ability to convey the complexity and multifaceted nature of human experience. It serves as a reminder that our individual lives are intertwined with the world at large, and that our actions have consequences that extend beyond our immediate surroundings.
Source data & methodology
Occurrences in Scripture
187 total occurrences across the text — showing 50
Again, the devil took him to an exceedingly high mountain, and showed him all the kingdoms of the world, and their glory.
Matthew 5:14You are the light of the world. A city located on a hill can’t be hidden.
Matthew 26:13Most certainly I tell you, wherever this Good News is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be spoken of as a memorial of her.”
Matthew 13:35that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through the prophet, saying, “I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things hidden from the foundation of the world.”
Matthew 13:38the field is the world; and the good seed, these are the children of the Kingdom; and the darnel weeds are the children of the evil one.
Matthew 16:26For what will it profit a man, if he gains the whole world, and forfeits his life? Or what will a man give in exchange for his life?
Matthew 18:7“Woe to the world because of occasions of stumbling! For it must be that the occasions come, but woe to that person through whom the occasion comes!
Matthew 24:21for then there will be great suffering, such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, nor ever will be.
Matthew 25:34Then the King will tell those on his right hand, ‘Come, blessed of my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world;
Mark 8:36For what does it profit a man, to gain the whole world, and forfeit his life?
Mark 14:9Most certainly I tell you, wherever this Good News may be preached throughout the whole world, that which this woman has done will also be spoken of for a memorial of her.”
Mark 16:15He said to them, “Go into all the world, and preach the Good News to the whole creation.
Luke 9:25For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses or forfeits his own self?
Luke 11:50that the blood of all the prophets, which was shed from the foundation of the world, may be required of this generation;
Luke 12:30For the nations of the world seek after all of these things, but your Father knows that you need these things.
John 1:9The true light that enlightens everyone was coming into the world.
John 1:10He was in the world, and the world was made through him, and the world didn’t recognize him.
John 1:10He was in the world, and the world was made through him, and the world didn’t recognize him.
John 1:10He was in the world, and the world was made through him, and the world didn’t recognize him.
John 1:29The next day, he saw Jesus coming to him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!
John 3:16For God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
John 3:17For God didn’t send his Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world should be saved through him.
John 3:17For God didn’t send his Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world should be saved through him.
John 3:17For God didn’t send his Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world should be saved through him.
John 3:19This is the judgment, that the light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the light; for their works were evil.
John 4:42They said to the woman, “Now we believe, not because of your speaking; for we have heard for ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Savior of the world.”
John 6:14When therefore the people saw the sign which Jesus did, they said, “This is truly the prophet who comes into the world.”
John 6:33For the bread of God is that which comes down out of heaven, and gives life to the world.”
John 6:51I am the living bread which came down out of heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. Yes, the bread which I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.”
John 7:4For no one does anything in secret while he seeks to be known openly. If you do these things, reveal yourself to the world.”
John 7:7The world can’t hate you, but it hates me, because I testify about it, that its works are evil.
John 8:12Again, therefore, Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the light of life.”
John 8:23He said to them, “You are from beneath. I am from above. You are of this world. I am not of this world.
John 8:23He said to them, “You are from beneath. I am from above. You are of this world. I am not of this world.
John 8:26I have many things to speak and to judge concerning you. However he who sent me is true; and the things which I heard from him, these I say to the world.”
John 9:5While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”
John 9:5While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”
John 9:39Jesus said, “I came into this world for judgment, that those who don’t see may see; and that those who see may become blind.”
John 10:36do you say of him whom the Father sanctified and sent into the world, ‘You blaspheme,’ because I said, ‘I am the Son of God?’
John 11:9Jesus answered, “Aren’t there twelve hours of daylight? If a man walks in the day, he doesn’t stumble, because he sees the light of this world.
John 11:27She said to him, “Yes, Lord. I have come to believe that you are the Christ, God’s Son, he who comes into the world.”
John 12:19The Pharisees therefore said among themselves, “See how you accomplish nothing. Behold, the world has gone after him.”
John 12:25He who loves his life will lose it. He who hates his life in this world will keep it to eternal life.
John 12:31Now is the judgment of this world. Now the prince of this world will be cast out.
John 12:31Now is the judgment of this world. Now the prince of this world will be cast out.
John 12:46I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in me may not remain in the darkness.
John 12:47If anyone listens to my sayings, and doesn’t believe, I don’t judge him. For I came not to judge the world, but to save the world.
John 12:47If anyone listens to my sayings, and doesn’t believe, I don’t judge him. For I came not to judge the world, but to save the world.
John 13:1Now before the feast of the Passover, Jesus, knowing that his time had come that he would depart from this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.
John 13:1Now before the feast of the Passover, Jesus, knowing that his time had come that he would depart from this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.