What does the word 'world' (kosmos) mean in Romans 11:12?
In Romans 11:12, the Greek word kosmos translated 'world' refers to the world system—the human system of politics, economy, and population, predominantly Gentiles—not the physical earth (terra firma). It denotes the sphere of human society through which spiritual riches come to Gentiles.
Les explains that in Romans 11:12 the Greek word kosmos, translated 'world,' means the world system—not terra firma, the physical earth. It refers to the human system: politics, economy, and the world population, predominantly Gentiles. The 'riches' that come through Israel's fall are not material wealth like money, gold, or silver, but spiritual riches that Gentiles have enjoyed. This fits God's intention to provoke Israel to jealousy, though human history often reacted with persecution instead.
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?
More Questions
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.