“[Christ] Who gave himself for our sins, [so] that he might deliver us from this present evil ‘world’ [Grk. kosmos, the cosmic arrangement of this age], according to the will of God and our Father: Galatians 1:4 (KJV)

The term “world” in this verse is the Greek, ‘kosmos,’ referring to the current evil world arrangement or system, which is the result of Lucifer’s corruption of both “the heavens and the earth,” The fact is that the lower heavens and the earth are currently under the rule of Satan as “the [false] god of this world.”  We see this in secular man, in his corrupt religions, in his corrupt governments, and in his corrupt businesses. Most people are blind to what is actually going on and who is behind it all.

“…  the god of this world [Satan] hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.” (2 Corinthians 4:4 (KJV)

Recall how that Lucifer, as one of the highest of God’s created angels, a Cherubim, first corrupted one-third of the angelic host. The result is that he was cast from the 3^rd heaven to the lower heavens where Satan and His Fallen Angelic Cohorts Currently Rule Over the Earth. They do this through the men and women whom they have not only corrupted with the sin-nature, but also whom they position in seats of power among man’s governments, religion and businesses, using them to work toward their evil plans.

Together these angels and corrupt men on earth are referred to by Paul as “principalities and powers.”

“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high [the heavenly] places.” [Ephesians 6:12 (KJV)

We saw this coordinated evil when Satan used his “princes of this world” (1Cor 2:7-8), that is the religious leaders of Israel in concert with Rome’s power to crucify the Lord. We see it today when politicians seemingly come out of nowhere only to tear down our Christian liberties. Yet, we have the ultimate overcomer within us to sustain us.

“[Jesus by His Cross was] … spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it. (Col. 2:15)

“[The risen Christ is set] Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:” (Ephesians 1:21 (KJV)

This is all possible because Lucifer in the person of the Serpent corrupted the first man, Adam, infecting him with the Sin-nature. Thereby that same viral infection of Sin is passed to all mankind as the lineage of Adam. So “the world” is more inclusive than we might think. The heaven and the earth are the current sphere of Satan’s kingdom.

“Wherefore, as by one man [Adam] Sin [‘Sin’ as a fallen nature in man, not the sins per se’] entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death [due to Sin] passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:” (Romans 5:12 (KJV)

Let’s now look at Galatians 6:14 in some detail as it touches upon our attitude toward “the world.”

“But God forbid that I [Paul] should glory, save [except] in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.” (Galatians 6:14 (KJV)

From the initial words of this verse: “But God forbid that I should glory except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ” we see Paul’s heart. Paul cared nothing for the world’s sort of glory that comes from fame, status, position, riches or any of the present world arrangement’s tempting offerings. Paul only cared about the glory that flowed from of the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, as I will explain.

Consider how strange Paul’s words are here. For people who knew what crucifixion was all about, the words “cross” and “glory” just did not seem to go together. They were direct opposites because there was not a more humiliating, shameful way to be executed than the cross. It seemed much more logical to glory in our good showing in the flesh, instead of the cross. But Paul thinks and writes in accord with God’s heavenly logic and value system that surpasses anything of this earth.

So, what did Paul mean by “the cross”? Of course, Paul cared nothing for the particular piece of wood to which those blessed hands and feet were nailed, for that was mere material. We know how that certain so-called Christian religious sects of Satan’s world religious systems make icons of wood, stone and bone, which is contrary to the 2^nd Commandment, Exodus 20:4-6: ‘do not make graven images.’

Actually, Paul’s use of the term “the Cross” means “the glorious doctrine of Justification, Free Justification of Sinners, … achieved through the ATONING SACRIFICE OF JESUS CHRIST ON THE CROSS, whereby He Reconciles Believing Lost Souls to God.

Now consider Paul’s words; “By whom The World Has Been Crucified to Me, and I To the World” (Galatians 6:14b (KJV)

In Galatians 5:24, Paul wrote about having crucified “the flesh” of the sin-nature in man, with its corrupt passions and desires. How does that work? Now, with the flesh of Christ on the cross God put the world on the cross; Paul thereby considers himself ‘dead to the world,’ it’s and values. Thus, being ‘dead in Christ,’ (Gal. 2:20, Rom. 6:3) ‘the world’ could not have any influence over Paul. Being dead in Christ, Paul could not respond to any influence of the world. Thus, Paul also wrote;

“I AM CRUCIFIED WITH CHRIST: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but CHRIST [by His Spirit] LIVETH IN ME…” (Galatians 2:20a (KJV)

“And they that are Christ’s have [already] crucified the flesh [in and by their union with Christ] with the affections and lusts.” (Galatians 5:24 (KJV)

What of us today? Now, it is for us to renew our thinking, to a new mindset.

“… be not conformed to ‘this world’: but be ye transformed [in soul] by the Renewing of Your Mind [to the truth], that ye may prove [out] what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” (Romans 12:2 (KJV)

The “world,” in the sense Paul means it here, was not the global earth; nor was it the mass of humanity, who God Himself clearly loves (John 3:16). Instead, it was the community of sinful humanity that is united in rebellion against God… making themselves to “be as god.” For this was the temptation the Serpent offered to Eve in the garden, saying; “ye shall be as gods.” (Genesis 4:5)

There is nothing more worldly than trying to ‘make a good showing in our flesh’ … to be in high regard, and be somebody in and of ourselves... independent of God. If we live for the glory that comes from fame, appearances, riches, status, false piety, or from power among men we are not dead to ‘the world,’ we are very alive to the world and the world is very alive and stimulating to us.

So, as genuine believers we march to the beat of a different drummer – His name is the Lord Jesus Christ and His “Spirit of life” lives in us guiding us from within, desiring to live His righteous life through us. He is so close at hand that He lives in us to not only to guide but also to empower us inwardly to evermore righteous living, day by day. We desire to expressions of His glory which is of His life.

“When Christ, who IS OUR LIFE, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.” (Colossians 3:4 (KJV)
“To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is CHRIST IN YOU, the hope of glory:” (Colossians 1:27 (KJV)

Jesus had said of his believing Jewish followers but the same would apply to us as His grace age believers;

“If ye [Jesus’ disciples] were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are Not OF the World, but I have chosen you OUT OF the world, therefore the world hateth you.” John 15:19 (KJV)

Paul maintained Jesus’s attitude as expressed here.

“But God forbid that I should glory, save [except] in The Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom The World Is Crucified Unto Me, and I Unto The World.” (Galatians 6:14 (KJV)

Paul and the world could agree together on one thing: they don’t like each other.

• “The world is crucified unto me,” means that Paul well recognized the corrupt world system forged by Satan for what it is as … a ‘tool of Satan’s extended expression of rebellion against God.’ 
• Paul is saying I condemn the world. By the words “I am crucified unto the world,” Paul means that the world in turn condemns me as it did Jesus.

We as believers are not to be religious hermits hid away from the world, rather, we live in the world while Not Being of This World. For we are of a whole new creation.

“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a New Creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” (2 Corinthians 5:17 (KJV)

We are not called to serve ourselves, or other men according to the world’s evil systems of false piety, but rather to Live to Bless Them with the Knowledge of The Truth. This is our calling, to make sacrifices for their good, therefore we share the gospel with as many as will listen that it might free them from ‘the power of Sin.’

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that BELIEVETH…” (Romans 1:16 (KJV)

We are here for a reason, that is to Bring Glory to God in our Lives as determined by living in accord with our new life in Christ. Thus, we study the Bible, not only to learn the truth of …  Christ as Savior but also the work of His Cross in SETTING US FREE FROM THE POWER OF OUR SIN-LADEN SINFUL FLESH … which is wedded to ‘this evil world.’ We also thereby learn that one day soon we will be resurrected (Raptured) to heaven with a new and glorious body such as Jesus’ incorruptible resurrected body.

So yes, our physical “body of flesh” is yet in this world so long as we live in these mortal bodies… but our real and eternal overcoming life-source and new nature are of His Spirit in our spirit, right now!