No Part of the World

NO PART OF THE WORLD (Part 1) Have you read Jesus words at John 17:16? Referring to his disciples he said "They are no part of THE WORLD, just as I am no part of THE WORLD" What could he have meant by this expression no part of THE WORLD? Certain ecclesiastical groups, like priests of certain orders have been sequestered, cloistered, by choice, in monasteries located in remote and desolate areas far away from civilization. Could it be they believe that is what Jesus meant for the faithful? To physically be separated from the world? Certain Christian groups like the Mennonites, Amish, Doukhobors, Hutterites, and others establish their own settlements, usually far from towns and cities, to maintain a distance from "THE WORLD" ones who do not adhere to scriptural teachings as they do. To fully grasp these deep truths we need to understand the original Greek, the language that the New Testament was written in. The Greek word Kosmos (from where the English word cosmos is derived) is the word used frequently in Jesus, and others, words. Looking at Websters Encyclopedic Dictionary under cosmos we find a few interesting definitions 1. The universe viewed as an orderly whole. 2. An ordered system of ideas, self inclusive and harmonious Referencing as well the Bible encyclopedia:Insight on the Scriptures, and other Theological reference works (which will be credited at the end) we find that Biblical scripture uses Kosmos in a variety of ways. 3. The entire visible creation, including the earth and other observable heavenly bodies ie. the sun, moon and stars. 4. "An external framework of things in which man lives and moves, which exists for him and of which he constitutes the moral center" 5. An order of things of which humanity as a whole is a part. 6. All humankind in general. 7. Society of unbelievers in general, in contrast to true believers. 8. Unrighteous sinful human society. Having this in mind we can discern the meaning of John 17. Looking at the context of John chapter 17, Jesus own words are used to clarify the meaning. For example verse 5 states in part "Father glorify me at your side with the glory that I had alongside you before THE WORLD was. Jesus here clarifies that he had a prehuman existence in heaven before coming to the earth and being born as a human. So the use of the expression THE WORLD evidently Jesus meant the world of mankind, or perhaps he meant meaning number 1 as listed above, both are logical to some degree as Jesus prehuman existence was before everything else that was created. Verse 6 Jesus mentions "the men you gave me out of THE WORLD" that "have observed your word". Here Jesus is referencing meaning number 6 or 7 as the contrast is made between those who observe your word as being separate from THE WORLD. Verse 8 reinforces the meaning of verse 6, Jesus continues "the sayings you gave me...they have accepted them, and have come to know that I came as your representative, and they have believed". So again the contrast is made between those who believe (Jesus disciples), and those who don't believe (The world of unbelievers as distinct and separate from believers) Verse 11 Jesus says "I am no longer in THE WORLD, but they are in THE WORLD....watch over them" . Jesus here references the meaning number 6 humankind in general. He was about to die and be resurrected as a spirit so he would no longer be in THE WORLD (part of humankind) but his true disciples were in THE WORLD, (part of humankind in general) Verse 14 "I have given your word to them, but THE WORLD has hated them, because they are no part of THE WORLD, just as I am no part of THE WORLD". So Jesus here references meaning number 7 THE WORLD of unbelievers, not humankind in general (meaning 6). How do we know? Jesus states THE WORLD has hated them (his disciples) , why? because they are no part of THE WORLD. Humankind in general, mostly doesn't know (or care for that matter) what true Christians believe and so the vast majority of the world of mankind does not hate them. Verse 15 "I do not request that you take them out of THE WORLD, but that you watch over them because of the wicked one". So Jesus prays that God watch over his faithful disciples, Why? because of the wicked one, evidently referring to Satan the devil. This is important to understand, because Jesus clarifies why THE WORLD hates his true disciples, it's because they (THE WORLD) is under the control of the wicked one. Now we get to the verse we started with verse 16. Do you now understand the meaning? "They are no part of the world (the world of unbelievers under the control of the devil) just as I am no part of the world. Verse 17 helps us to see what will distinguish his true disciples from the wicked world. "Sanctify them by means of truth, your word is truth". So we see clearly the meaning, Jesus disciples are in the world ( part of humankind in general) but they are no part of the world ( the world of unbelievers under the control of the devil) What is it that would separate true Christians from the world? Why will the world hate them? The truth of God's word will identify true Christians, and would reveal why the world hates them. So in what sense are true believers "no part of the world" in imitation of Jesus? Part number 2 will explain. Reference works consulted: 1. H.A. Meyers Critical and Exegetical Handbook 1885 2. Studies in the Vocabulary of the Greek New Testament by K.S. Wuest 3. Richard C Trench's Synonyms of the New Testament All scripture quoted is from the New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures Revised 2013 version. John Derek Hamilton January 22,2021