Matthew 18:7

"Woe unto the system because of occasions of stumbling! For it must be that the occasions come; but woe to that human through whom the occasion cometh!"

The Greek word KOSMOS indicates an orderly or systematic arrangement.  It is translated most frequently as "world" in conventional Bibles. But they also translate this word as "jewelry" and "order" etc.  The Etymological New Testament consistently translates with the ultra-literal English word "system."  In the verse above, the system is the culturally organized system of human beings. Too often this system works against human life.  The structures of our society can become our enemies if they become an end unto themselves.

Jesus pronounces a woe upon the type of culture, or system, that harms children. Because of the way society is structured, this occasion will come, but woe to the particular people who implement the harm to others.  Just because the system is evil, we are not innocent in our participation within it.  To listen to Jesus' teaching is to feel the imperative to challenge the system within which we find ourselves.