The concept of the "inhabited world" in the Bible encompasses the earth as the dwelling place of humanity, created by God and sustained by His providence. The term often reflects the scope of God's creation, His sovereignty, and His redemptive plan for mankind.

Creation and Sovereignty

The Bible begins with the account of creation, where God forms the earth and all that is in it. Genesis 1:1 states, "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." This foundational verse establishes God's authority over the entire world. The inhabited world is not a product of random chance but a deliberate act of divine creation. Psalm 24:1 further affirms, "The earth is the LORD’s, and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein."

Humanity's Role

God created humanity to inhabit and steward the earth. Genesis 1:28 records God's command to Adam and Eve: "Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it; rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and every creature that crawls upon the earth." This mandate highlights humanity's responsibility to manage the world under God's authority, reflecting His image and glory.

The Fall and Its Impact

The fall of man introduced sin into the world, affecting the entire creation. Romans 8:20-22 describes the consequences: "For the creation was subjected to futility, not by its own will, but because of the One who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God." The inhabited world, therefore, experiences the effects of sin, awaiting redemption.

God's Redemptive Plan

Despite the fall, God's plan for redemption encompasses the entire world. John 3:16 declares, "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that everyone who believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." This verse underscores the global scope of God's love and the offer of salvation through Jesus Christ.

The Great Commission

Jesus' Great Commission to His disciples emphasizes the inhabited world as the mission field for the Gospel. Matthew 28:19-20 instructs, "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you." The call to evangelize extends to every corner of the earth, reflecting God's desire for all people to know Him.

The End of the Age

The Bible speaks of a future time when the current world will be transformed. Revelation 21:1 describes this new reality: "Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and earth had passed away, and the sea was no more." This promise of a renewed creation offers hope for the ultimate restoration of the inhabited world.

Conclusion

The inhabited world, as presented in the Bible, is a testament to God's creative power, His ongoing relationship with humanity, and His ultimate plan for redemption and restoration. Through the narrative of Scripture, the world is seen as both the stage for human history and the object of divine love and salvation.