Another Greek word used in the New Testament that needs to be kept in mind when discussing the use of “aion” and “kosmos” is the word “ge”. The word “ge” is used approximately 252 times in the New Testament and is most often translated “earth”, but depending on context is also translated “ground” or “land”.
The following is a sampling of passages using the word “ge”:
Matthew 5:5 “…the meek shall inherit the “ge”…
Matthew 5:13 “...you are the salt of the “ge”…
Matthew 6:10, 19
“….Thy will be done on “ge” as it is in heaven...” “…Lay not up treasures on “ge”…”
Matthew 28:18 “All authority in heaven and on “ge” has been given to me.”
Matthew 13:8, Mark 4:8, and Luke 8:8 (Parable of the sower.)
The seed “…falls on the good “ge”…’ and in this context is correctly translated “ground”.
Acts 7 Stephan’s Speech – “ge” is used 8 times and in context is correctly translated “land”. For example”
“…the “ge” of the Chaldeans…” “…the “ge” of Egypt…” “…the “ge” of Midean…”
For Future Study: The Use of “Kosmos” and “Ge” in the book of Revelations
Of the approximately 252 times “ge” is used in the NT, about 77 of those times are in the book of Revelation. That is more then any other NT book, and accounts for over 30% of the use of “ge” in the NT.
Of the approximately 189 times “Kosmos” is used in the NT, only 3 of those are in the book of Revelation. That is less then 2% of the NT use of “kosmos”.
The extensive and almost exclusive use of the word “ge” in the book of Revelation is very important when considering the structure and meaning of that NT book, especially as “ge” carries an almost exclusive ontological meaning in contrast to the moral meanings associated with “kosmos” and “aion”.
References:
Young's Analytical Concordence
Greek/English Interliner NT (Nestle/Aland Text.)
For His glory,
