Lexical Summary kuriakos: "of the Lord," "belonging to the Lord" Original Word: κυριακός Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Lord's. From kurios; belonging to the Lord (Jehovah or Jesus) -- Lord's. see GREEK kurios HELPS Word-studies 2960 kyriakós (an adjective, derived from 2962 /kýrios, "lord") – properly, pertaining (belonging) to the Lord (kyrios). 2960 (kyriakós) is used of the Lord's Supper (i.e. "communion," the Lord's table) and "the Lord's day" (Sunday) as the appointed day for rest and worship. See 1 Cor 11:20; Rev 1:10. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom kurios Definition of the Lord NASB Translation Lord's (2). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 2960: κυριακόςκυριακός, κυριακῇ, κυριακόν, a Biblical and ecclesiastical word (cf. Winers Grammar, § 34, 3 and Sophocles Lexicon, under the word), of or belonging to the Lord; 1. equivalent to the genitive of the author τοῦ κυρίου, thus κυριακόν ἐιπνον, the supper instituted by the Lord, 1 Corinthians 11:20; λόγια κυριακα, the Lord's sayings, Papias quoted in Eus. h. e. 3, 39, 1. 2. relating to the Lord, ἡ κυριακῇ ἡμέρα, the day devoted to the Lord, sacred to the memory of Christ's resurrection, Revelation 1:10 (cf. 'κυριακῇ κυρίου, Teaching 14, 1 [ET] (where see Harnack); cf. B. D., under the word Kuriakos appears only twice, each time setting apart something that is uniquely “of the Lord.” In Revelation 1:10 John writes, “I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day,” and in 1 Corinthians 11:20 Paul refers to believers gathering to eat “the Lord’s Supper.” Both contexts emphasize exclusive ownership by the risen Christ over time (a day) and over a covenant meal (the supper). The Lord’s Day (Revelation 1:10) “I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet” (Revelation 1:10). 1. Christ-Centered Time. By calling the first day “Lord’s,” the text testifies that the resurrection forever stamped Sunday as belonging to Christ. It is not merely the first of seven equal days; it is the memorial of the new creation (John 20:1; 2 Corinthians 5:17). The Lord’s Supper (1 Corinthians 11:20) “So then, when you come together, it is not the Lord’s Supper you eat” (1 Corinthians 11:20). 1. Covenant Meal. Instituted by Jesus on the night He was betrayed (Luke 22:19–20), the supper proclaims His death “until He comes” (1 Corinthians 11:26). By calling it “Lord’s,” Paul underscores divine ownership over both the elements and the fellowship. Theological Themes • Christ’s Sovereign Ownership – Whether a day or a meal, what is kuriakos is never at human disposal; it is consecrated to Christ’s rule (Romans 14:8–9). Historical Development in Church Practice Early writers testify that the first Christians met on “the Lord’s Day” (Ignatius, Magnesians 9; Didache 14). Justin Martyr describes the church assembling “on the day called Sunday” for Scripture, prayer, and the Eucharist (Apology I, 67). The Latin translation dies dominica and later English “Sunday” carried the same reference to Christ. Constantine’s 321 decree, though civil in nature, reflects an already established Christian practice. Similarly, the Lord’s Supper quickly became the central act of Lord’s Day worship. While liturgical expressions varied, the unchanging core remained remembrance of Christ’s sacrifice, thanksgiving, and anticipation of His return. Ministry Applications Today 1. Guard the Day. Setting apart Sunday for worship, rest, and service answers the biblical call to honor what is “the Lord’s.” Related Biblical Parallels Exodus 31:13 – Sabbaths “a sign…that you may know that I am the LORD who sanctifies you.” Matthew 12:8 – “The Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.” Acts 2:42 – “They devoted themselves…to breaking of bread and to prayer.” Colossians 1:18 – “So that in everything He might have the supremacy.” Kuriakos therefore serves as a concise, Spirit-inspired reminder that Christ’s lordship claims both the rhythm of worship and the centerpiece of remembrance, anchoring the church’s life between resurrection morning and the marriage supper yet to come. Englishman's Concordance 1 Corinthians 11:20 Adj-ANSGRK: οὐκ ἔστιν κυριακὸν δεῖπνον φαγεῖν NAS: it is not to eat the Lord's Supper, KJV: not to eat the Lord's supper. INT: not it is [the] Lord's supper to eat Revelation 1:10 Adj-DFS Strong's Greek 2960 |
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