2886. kosmikos

Lexical Summary

kosmikos: Worldly, earthly

Original Word: κοσμικός
Part of Speech: Adjective
Transliteration: kosmikos
Pronunciation: kos-mee-kos'
Phonetic Spelling: (kos-mee-kos')
KJV: worldly
NASB: earthly, worldly
Word Origin: [from G2889 (κόσμος - world) (in its secondary sense)]

1. worldy ("cosmic")
2. (literally) mundane
3. (figuratively) corrupt

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

worldly.

From kosmos (in its secondary sense); terrene ("cosmic"), literally (mundane) or figuratively (corrupt) -- worldly.

see GREEK kosmos

HELPS Word-studies

Cognate: 2886 kosmikós (from 2889 /kósmos, "world") – worldly, earthly (belonging to the world). See 2889 (kosmos).

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from kosmos
Definition
pertaining to the world
NASB Translation
earthly (1), worldly (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 2886: κοσμικός

κοσμικός, κοσμικη, κοσμικόν (κόσμος), of or belonging to the world (Vulg.saecularis); i. e.:

1. relating to the universe: τοὐρανοῦ τοῦδε καί τῶν κοσμικων πάντων, Aristotle, phys. 2, 4, p. 196{a}, 25; opposed to ἀνθρώπινος, Lucian, paras. 11; κοσμικη διάταξις, Plutarch, consol. ad Apoll c. 34, p. 119 e.

2. earthly: τό ἅγιον κοσμικόν (its) earthly sanctuary (R. V. of this world), Hebrews 9:1.

3. worldly, i. e. having the character of this (present) corrupt age: αἱ κοσμικαι ἐπιθυμίαι, Titus 2:12; (so also in ecclesiastical writings).

Topical Lexicon

Definition and Scope of the Term

While the adjective derives from the larger New Testament idea of the κόσμος (“world” as the ordered system of humanity in separation from God), its two appearances sharpen the contrast between what belongs to the fallen order and what belongs to the age to come. In Titus 2:12 it points to moral “worldliness”; in Hebrews 9:1 it identifies that which is merely “earth-bound” in the Mosaic sanctuary. In both cases the term measures reality by its relationship to God’s ultimate, heavenly order.

Occurrences in the New Testament

1. Titus 2:12 – “It instructs us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live sensible, upright, and godly lives in the present age”.
2. Hebrews 9:1 – “Now the first covenant had regulations for worship and an earthly sanctuary”.

Old Testament Background and Septuagint Usage

The Septuagint uses cognate language when it describes the “ornament” of priestly garments (Exodus 28:2) and the ordered “host of heaven” (Genesis 2:1). This background highlights two ideas: (1) arrangement or adornment, and (2) the created order distinguished from the heavenly realm. Hebrews 9:1 assumes both strands: the tabernacle was beautifully arranged, yet confined to the sphere of temporal creation.

Theological Implications

1. Moral Antithesis: Titus 2:12 contrasts “worldly passions” with living “godly” lives, rooting sanctification in grace (Titus 2:11) rather than human effort.
2. Covenant Contrast: Hebrews 9:1 sets “earthly” sanctuary over against the “greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made by hands” (Hebrews 9:11). The old order pointed forward; Christ’s heavenly ministry fulfills it.
3. Eschatological Orientation: The adjective reminds believers that present realities—whether cultural values or religious symbols—must be evaluated in the light of the heavenly kingdom already inaugurated in Christ.

Historical Context in the Greco-Roman World

In common Greek, κοσμικός could refer to civic life, the ornamentation of temples, or philosophical discussions about the universe. New Testament writers repurpose the term to expose the insufficiency of both pagan and Judaic systems when viewed apart from Christ.

Relationship to Other New Testament Concepts

• κόσμος (world) – the sphere dominated by sin (1 John 2:15-17).
• σαρκικός (fleshly) – inward disposition oriented to self (1 Corinthians 3:3).
• γήινος (earthly) – of the dust, contrasted with “heavenly” (1 Corinthians 15:47).

Κοσμικός overlaps each term but stresses the system or structures that shape thought and practice.

Practical Ministry Application

• Discipleship must teach believers to identify “worldly passions” embedded in contemporary culture—materialism, sexual immorality, status-seeking—and renounce them through grace-based training.
• Worship should intentionally point beyond symbolism to the risen Christ. Rituals, architecture, and music can serve or hinder this goal depending on whether they keep the congregation’s focus on the heavenly sanctuary.
• Leaders evaluate programs and traditions by asking: Do they cultivate longing for “the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:13)?

Biblical Warnings Against Worldliness

• Romans 12:2 — “Do not be conformed to this world.”
• James 4:4 — “Friendship with the world is hostility toward God.”
• 1 John 2:17 — “The world is passing away along with its desires.”

Each text resonates with the thrust of κοσμικός: the church must resist pressures to shape doctrine, ethics, or worship by standards derived from the present age.

Eschatological Dimensions

Hebrews 9:1-12 locates κοσμικός within a grand redemptive timeline: earthly shadows yield to heavenly realities. The believer now ministers in anticipation of a “new heavens and a new earth” (2 Peter 3:13), where any trace of the worldly order is removed.

Summary

Strong’s 2886 marks whatever is bound to the fallen world—whether moral cravings or religious structures—and therefore transient. The grace revealed in Christ trains believers to break with such worldliness and to align life and worship with the eternal, heavenly order soon to be fully manifested.

Forms and Transliterations

κοσμικας κοσμικάς κοσμικὰς κοσμικον κοσμικόν kosmikas kosmikàs kosmikon kosmikón

Englishman's Concordance

Titus 2:12 Adj-AFP
GRK: καὶ τὰς κοσμικὰς ἐπιθυμίας σωφρόνως
NAS: ungodliness and worldly desires
KJV: and worldly lusts,
INT: and the worldly desires discreetly

Hebrews 9:1 Adj-ANS
GRK: τε ἅγιον κοσμικόν
NAS: of divine worship and the earthly sanctuary.
KJV: and a worldly sanctuary.
INT: and sanctuary an earthly [one]

Strong's Greek 2886
2 Occurrences

κοσμικὰς — 1 Occ.
κοσμικόν — 1 Occ.