The English word “world” as used in the New Testament may mean a distinct period of time, commonly known as an age (as its original is a few times translated); or it may refer to the things created:  the earth, its inhabitants, or their institutions.  Two of these original meanings are used in connection with this present time.  First, as to an age, or period of time: 

The ages are often referred to in Scripture, and the study of the exact conditions and purposes of each of them is not fanciful:  but is rather the only adequate foundation for any true knowledge of the Bible.  Not all the ages can be taken up in this Chapter, but only such as may be confused with the present one.

The age of law, which began with the giving of the law at Mount Sinai and ended, approximately, with the death of Christ, is mentioned by Zacharias in his prophecy at the birth of John:  “As he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets which have been since the age began” (Lu. 1:70).  The same period is referred to by Peter in Acts 3:21:  “Whom the heavens must receive until the restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his prophets since the age began.”  These references, it will be seen, are not to the creation of the world, as the English rendering would indicate; but to the beginning of that particular period in which the prophets spake.

The present age of grace, in which the grace of God has had its appearing unto salvation, began where the age of law ended, or with the death of Christ; and will continue until He comes again.  The duration of this age is suggested by the communion table, which, being peculiar to this age, will continue to its end.  Of this sacrament it is said:  “As oft as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do show the Lord’s death till he come” (I Cor. 11:26).

As a distinct period of time this age is mentioned by the word “world” no less than forty times in the New Testament.  A few of these passages follow:  “And whosoever speaketh a word against the son of man, it shall be forgiven him:  but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Spirit, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world (age), neither in the world (age) to come” (Matt. 12:32).  “And as he sat upon the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world (age)?” (Matt. 24:3).  “The field is the world (men); the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one; the enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world (age); and the reapers are the angels” (Matt. 13:38, 39).  “And, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world (age)” (Matt. 28:20).  “For the children of this world (age) are in their generation wiser than the children of light” (Lu. 16:8).  “And set him at his own right hand in the heavenlies,