What is the meaning of 'the whole world' in the Bible?
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'The whole world' often refers to groups or arrangements rather than every individual, as seen in various scriptural contexts.
In scriptural terms, 'the whole world' does not consistently signify every person on earth. For instance, in 1 John 5:19, the reference to the whole world under the control of the evil one indicates it pertains primarily to non-believers. Similarly, historical references in the New Testament often relate to a specific cultural or geographical context, such as the Roman Empire. When interpreting 'the whole world' in Christ's atonement, it implies the entire spectrum of people across nations and cultures who will be saved, rather than a blanket statement about every individual, affirming the particular nature of Christ's redemptive work.
Scripture References:
1 John 5:19, Revelation 3:10, Matthew 24:14
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