Apologetics -- History -- Early church, ca. 30-600; Celsus (Platonic philosopher), active 180; Theology -- History -- Early Church, ca. 30-600
6. Having discussed these points regarding the nature of the world to
the best of our ability, it does not seem out of place to inquire what
is the meaning of the term world, which in holy Scripture is shown
frequently to have different significations. For what we call in Latin
_mundus_, is termed in Greek κόσμος, and κόσμος signifies not only a
world, but also an ornament. Finally, in Isaiah, where the language of
reproof is directed to the chief daughters of Sion, and where he says,
“Instead of an ornament of a golden head, thou wilt have baldness on
account of thy works,”[167] he employs the same term to denote ornament
as to denote the world, viz. κόσμος. For the plan of the world is said
to be contained in the clothing of the high priest, as we find in the
Wisdom of Solomon, where he says, “For in the long garment was the whole
world.”[168] That earth of ours, with its inhabitants, is also termed
the world, as when Scripture says, “The whole world lieth in
wickedness.”[169] Clement indeed, a disciple of the apostles, makes
mention of those whom the Greeks called Ἀντίχθονες, and other parts of
the earth, to which no one of our people can approach, nor can any one
of those who are there cross over to us, which he also termed worlds,
saying, “The ocean is impassable to men; and those are worlds which are
on the other side of it, which are governed by these same arrangements
of the ruling God.”[170] That universe which is bounded by heaven and
earth is also called a world, as Paul declares: “For the fashion of this
world will pass away.”[171] Our Lord and Saviour also points out a
certain other world besides this visible one, which it would indeed be
difficult to describe and make known. He says, “I am not of this
world.”[172] For, as if He were of a certain other world, He says, “I am
not of this world.” Now, of this world we have said beforehand, that the
explanation was difficult; and for this reason, that there might not be
afforded to any an occasion of entertaining the supposition that we
maintain the existence of certain images which the Greeks call “ideas:”
for it is certainly alien to our [writers] to speak of an incorporeal
world existing in the imagination alone, or in the fleeting world of
thoughts; and how they can assert either that the Saviour comes from
thence, or that the saints will go thither, I do not see. There is no
doubt, however, that something more illustrious and excellent than this
present world is pointed out by the Saviour, at which He incites and
encourages believers to aim. But whether that world to which He desires
to allude be far separated and divided from this, either by situation,
or nature, or glory; or whether it be superior in glory and quality, but
confined within the limits of this world (which seems to me more
probable), is nevertheless uncertain, and in my opinion an unsuitable
subject for human thought. But from what Clement seems to indicate when
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