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from theabove usages that kataballġ means to cast down, break down, or overthrow. The
cognate word katabole cannot be made to mean the exact opposite without doing
violence to the words, as well as the Word of God.
The word kosmos, translated "world," is a word of importance. It does not necessarily
mean the earth, but directs attention rather to the system. Whatever meaning we may
ultimately fix upon, it must allow for such usages as, "The field is the world," "Go ye
into all the world," "God so loved the world," "The prince of this world," &100: World
(kosmos) and age (aiġn) are related in Scripture. He who is prince of this world is also
the god of this age. The choice which antedated the katabole of the world, also antedated
the age-times. Kosmos carries with it the idea of beauty, order, rule. Katabole carries
with it the idea of marring, overthrowing, chaos.
The blessed fact which shines out from the passage in Eph. 1: 4 is that before sin
entered the world, before chaos took the place of order, before darkness was upon the
face of the deep, we--sinners of the Gentiles as we were (and are in ourselves)--were
chosen in Christ! What a calling! What a walk is necessitated if we are enjoined to walk
worthy of this calling! The present course of things covered by the age-times is not a part
of our calling. Just as we were chosen in Christ before the overthrow or the disruption of
the world, and before age-times, so we do not look forward to the millennial kingdom as
our goal and our glory, but to the universal administration spoken of in Eph. 1:, Phil. 2:,
and Col. 1:, when the ages shall have their goal in the exaltation of the Son of God, and
we shall be "manifested with Him in glory."
Mark 13: 20
And except that the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh should be saved: but for the elect's sake,
whom he hath chosen, he hath shortened the days.
John 15: 16
Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth
fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may
give it you.
Rom. 9: 11
(For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God
according to election (ekloge) might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;)
Rom. 8: 33
Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect (eklektos)? It is God that justifieth.
Titus 1: 1
Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's elect (eklektos),
and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness;
Eph. 1:
3. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual
blessings in heavenly places in Christ:
4. According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy
and without blame before him in love:
Titus 1:
1.
Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's elect
(eklektos), and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness;
2.
In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;