Kyrios
Kyrios is the Greek word for “Lord” or “master.” In the New Testament it can refer to a human authority, but it is also a major title for Jesus that expresses His authority and, in many contexts, His divine identity.
At a Glance
Kyrios is the Greek word for “Lord” or “master.” In the New Testament it can refer to a human authority, but it is also a major title for Jesus that expresses His authority and, in many contexts, His divine identity.
Description
Kyrios is the Greek word commonly translated “Lord.” Its meaning ranges from a polite form of address to a title for one who possesses authority, ownership, or rule. In the New Testament, the term can be used for human masters or respected figures, but it becomes especially significant when applied to Jesus. Christians confessed Jesus as Lord not merely as a title of respect, but as a declaration of His sovereign authority and, in many passages, in a way that aligns Him with the Lord revealed in the Old Testament. Interpreters should still read each passage in context, since not every use carries the same full doctrinal force; yet the mainstream and safest conclusion is that kyrios is one of the New Testament’s central titles for Jesus and often serves as an important witness to His exalted status and divine identity.