What does the word 'world' mean in Romans 11:12?
In Romans 11:12, the word 'world' translates the Greek term kosmos, meaning the world system. It does not refer to terra firma, the physical earth, but to the human system—its politics, economy, and population, predominantly Gentiles. This world system includes the broader human order, not the planet itself.
Les explains that in Romans 11:12 the Greek word for 'world' is kosmos, meaning the world system. He clarifies it is not terra firma, the earth, but the human system—politics, economy, and world population, predominantly Gentiles. The context speaks of spiritual riches, not wealth and money, gold and silver. Israel's fall brought these riches to the Gentiles, which they have enjoyed.
Now if the fall of them be the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fulness?
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What does Romans 11:12 mean?
The verse means that if the fall of the Jews because they rejected their Messiah brought riches to the Gentile world, how much more will their fullness bring after the Gentiles have received the riches.