Considering the etymology of a word can often bring a fresh perspective to the concept in question. The term "world" finds its roots in an Old English word that roughly translates to "age of man." This would suggest that perhaps we consider the world as the story of mankind. Humanity has a direct impact on the story of the world. The story cannot exist without it. Conversely, it is impossible to understand the story of humanity without understanding its environment - the world.
Let's look at some other perspectives surrounding the history of this term. The Latin inventive literally means "clean" or "elegant." Many people think of the world as a dark, dirty place. Due to sin, this perspective is often correct. But let us think for a moment about the way creation was intended to appear. It was meant to be pure and beautiful, and indeed, there are plenty of things about it that could be described as such. Elegance is a perfect description for the intricate nuances and delicate balance of earth's ecosystems. The beauty of the world - and all it's people - is something truly great to behold.
Finally, the Greek root for "world" means "orderly arrangement." As said above, sin has caused much about the world to be chaotic. However, the reflection of the Father in His creation continues to shine brightly. From the smallest insect to the greatest nation, God's order pervades. How marvelous that such a diverse world could also be a great testament to the Lord's order and sovereignty!
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