κύριος

lord, Lord, master, sir

Definition

The Greek word κύριος (kyrios) primarily means 'lord,' 'master,' or 'owner,' denoting someone with authority, such as a master over slaves (e.g., Ephesians 6:5) or a landowner (e.g., Matthew 20:8). In the New Testament, it is most significantly used as a title for God, translating the Hebrew divine name YHWH (יהוה) from the Old Testament, as seen in quotations like Matthew 3:3. It is also the supreme christological title for Jesus, affirming his divine authority and identity, especially in passages like Philippians 2:11 where every tongue confesses 'Jesus Christ is Lord.' In everyday polite address, it can simply mean 'sir,' as in John 4:11.

Biblical Usage

Κύριος is used extensively throughout the New Testament, appearing over 700 times. In the Gospels, it is frequently used for Jesus by his disciples and others acknowledging his authority (e.g., Matthew 8:2, 'Lord, if you are willing...'). In the Pauline epistles, it is a central title for Christ, used in confessional formulas (e.g., Romans 10:9) and in discussions of his lordship over creation and the church (e.g., 1 Corinthians 8:6). In the Septuagint (Greek Old Testament) and New Testament quotations from it, κύριος directly substitutes for the sacred name of God (YHWH), as in Matthew 4:7 quoting Deuteronomy 6:16.

Etymology

Derived from the Greek root κῦρος (kyros), meaning 'authority,' 'power,' or 'supremacy.' The adjective κύριος originally meant 'having power' or 'authoritative,' and as a noun came to mean 'lord' or 'master.' In the Septuagint, the Greek translation of the Hebrew Scriptures, κύριος was used to translate the Hebrew divine name YHWH (יהוה), which profoundly influenced its theological weight in the New Testament.

Semantic Range

This is one of the most theologically significant words in the New Testament. As a title for Jesus, 'Lord' (κύριος) confesses his divinity, sovereignty, and identity with the God of Israel. It is the core of early Christian faith (Romans 10:9) and places Jesus in the role of the one who receives worship and exercises ultimate authority over all creation (Philippians 2:9-11). Understanding that the New Testament authors used the same word for Jesus that translated YHWH in the Greek Old Testament enriches our reading by highlighting the early church's high Christology.

In the Greco-Roman world, κύριος was a common title for heads of households, slave owners, and political rulers, including the Roman emperor, who was called 'Lord' (κύριος) in the imperial cult. For Jews and Christians, using this title for Jesus or God was a bold counter-cultural claim, asserting a higher allegiance and authority than Caesar. The Jewish context, through the Septuagint, already understood κύριος as a reverent substitute for the unpronounceable name of God, adding deep religious significance.

δεσπότης (despotēs, G1203) — emphasizes absolute ownership and mastery, often used for God as sovereign master. βασιλεύς (basileus, G935) — means 'king,' focusing on royal rule rather than personal authority as master. θεός (theos, G2316) — means 'God,' denoting deity itself, whereas κύριος often denotes the exercise of divine authority.

Word Details

Scripture References