Lexical Summary kuriotés: Dominion, Lordship, Authority Original Word: κυριότης Strong's Exhaustive Concordance dominion, government. From kurios; mastery, i.e. (concretely and collectively) rulers -- dominion, government. see GREEK kurios HELPS Word-studies 2963 kyriótēs (from 2962 /kýrios, "lord") – dominion; a power exerting itself in a particular jurisdiction ("ruling"). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom kurios Definition lordship NASB Translation authority (2), dominion (1), dominions (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 2963: κυριότηςκυριότης, κυριότητος, ἡ (ὁ κύριος), dominion, power, lordship; in the N. T. one who possesses dominion (see ἐξουσία, 4 c. β.; cf. German Herrschaft (or Milton's dominations); in Tacitus, ann. 13, 1 dominationes is equivalent to dominantes), so used of angels (κύριοι, 1 Corinthians 8:5; see κύριος, a. at the end): Ephesians 1:21; 2 Peter 2:10; Jude 1:8; plural Colossians 1:16. (Ecclesiastical (e. g. 'Teaching' c. 4 [ET]) and Byzantine writings.) Topical Lexicon Dominion in the Biblical WorldviewStrong’s 2963 (kuriotēs) speaks to the reality that all realms—visible and invisible—are structured under “lordships” or spheres of authority ordained by God. Scripture presents dominion as an ordered hierarchy that serves the purposes of the Creator, whether in the cosmic, angelic, or human sphere. The idea is never abstract; it always relates to the will of God expressed, acknowledged, resisted, or judged. Canonical Occurrences and Immediate Contexts 1. Colossians 1:16 – “For in Him all things were created, things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities; all things were created through Him and for Him.” 2. Ephesians 1:21 – Christ is exalted “far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.” 3. Jude 1:8 – “Yet in the same way these dreamers defile their bodies, reject authority, and slander glorious beings.” 4. 2 Peter 2:10 – The unrighteous “despise authority. Bold and arrogant, they are not afraid to slander glorious beings.” Dominion in Creation and Redemption • Creation: All dominions were “created through Him and for Him” (Colossians 1:16). Lordship is thus teleological—designed to serve the glory of Christ. Dominion and Angelology While kuriotēs is applied to angelic ranks, Scripture discourages speculation or worship of such beings (Colossians 2:18). Their significance lies in serving God’s purposes (Hebrews 1:14). Christ’s exaltation above them safeguards monotheistic worship and assures believers of His unrivaled protection. Dominion and Human Governance Romans 13:1 teaches that “there is no authority except from God.” Earthly rulers participate in “dominion” by delegation. Resisting legitimate authority can mirror the rebellion condemned in Jude and 2 Peter, though Acts 5:29 shows that obedience to God remains paramount when commands conflict. False Teachers and the Rejection of Dominion Jude and Peter expose a trajectory: sensuality → rejection of authority → slander of heavenly beings → impending judgment. The pattern warns the Church that doctrinal error and moral laxity often spring from the same root: refusal to acknowledge God-given lordship. Christ’s Supremacy and the Believer’s Assurance Because Christ is “far above all… dominion” (Ephesians 1:21), believers can rest in His sovereign care. Spiritual warfare (Ephesians 6:10-18) is fought from a position of victory, not uncertainty. Prayer, proclamation of the gospel, and holy living are means by which the Church manifests Christ’s lordship in a hostile world. Implications for Ministry 1. Worship: Exalt Christ alone; avoid fascination with angelic hierarchies. Summary Strong’s 2963 underscores that all authority structures—angelic and human—derive from and are answerable to Christ. The New Testament uses the term both to magnify His supremacy and to expose the peril of rejecting divinely instituted lordship. For the Church, recognizing and living under Christ’s ultimate dominion is both the antidote to false teaching and the foundation of enduring hope. Forms and Transliterations κυριοτητα κυριότητα κυριοτητες κυριότητες κυριοτητος κυριότητος kurioteta kuriotēta kuriotetes kuriotētes kuriotetos kuriotētos kyrioteta kyriotēta kyrióteta kyriótēta kyriotetes kyriotētes kyriótetes kyriótētes kyriotetos kyriotētos kyriótetos kyriótētosLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Ephesians 1:21 N-GFSGRK: δυνάμεως καὶ κυριότητος καὶ παντὸς NAS: and power and dominion, and every KJV: might, and dominion, and every INT: power and dominion and every Colossians 1:16 N-NFP 2 Peter 2:10 N-GFS Jude 1:8 N-AFS Strong's Greek 2963 |
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