What Does “Kurios” Mean in the Bible?
Quick Summary
In the Bible, “kurios” (κύριος) is a Greek word meaning Lord, master, ruler, or one who has authority. The New Testament uses kurios for household masters, earthly authorities, and respectfully addressing someone. Most importantly, it uses kurios as the title for God and for Jesus Christ—identifying Jesus with the divine name and showing that he bears God’s authority, power, and glory.
Introduction
When readers open the New Testament, one title appears more than almost any other: kurios. English Bibles usually translate it as “Lord.” But behind that familiar word is a depth of meaning shaped by Scripture, culture, and worship. Kurios can be an everyday term of respect—or a theological declaration of Jesus’s divine identity.
Understanding this word helps readers grasp how the early church confessed Jesus, worshiped him, and proclaimed him.
The Meaning of Kurios in Greek
In everyday Greek, kurios meant:
lord or master
owner of property
one in authority
a respectful form of address
A kurios was someone with legitimate power—social, economic, or legal. It could refer to:
the head of a household
a landowner
a master over servants
a ruler or superior
someone honored in conversation (“sir”)
This everyday meaning forms the background for how the New Testament shapes the word.
Kurios in the Old Testament: The Divine Name in Greek
The most important background for kurios comes from the Greek translation of the Old Testament, the Septuagint (LXX). When the translators encountered the divine name YHWH (the sacred covenant name), they rendered it as KURIOS.
This decision shaped early Christian worship in a profound way. When Jewish believers who used the Septuagint called Jesus “Lord,” they were using the same word that Scripture used for the God of Israel.
To call Jesus kurios was not simply polite—it was theological.
Kurios as a Title for God
In the New Testament, God the Father is frequently called kurios.
“The earth is the Lord’s and everything in it.”
“You shall worship the Lord your God.”
“The word of the Lord endures forever.”
This continues the Old Testament practice of using kurios for the covenant God.
Kurios as a Title for Jesus
One of the earliest confessions of the church was simple:
“Jesus is Lord.”
This confession appears throughout the New Testament and carries several layers of meaning:
1. Jesus has full divine authority
“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.”
“Every knee shall bow… and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.”
The early church worships Jesus with the titles used for God.
2. Jesus shares the identity of Israel’s God
By calling Jesus “Kurios,” New Testament writers identify him with the Lord of the Old Testament—the One who creates, speaks, saves, and reigns.
3. Jesus is master and teacher
Disciples call Jesus kurios as an expression of devotion and obedience.
4. Jesus rules over the kingdom of God
Kurios becomes the language of Christ’s kingship, resurrection power, and ongoing reign.
Kurios in Worship and Prayer
Early Christians prayed to Jesus as Lord:
“Lord, have mercy.”
“Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.”
“Come, Lord Jesus.”
They baptized “in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ,” gathered at the Lord’s table, and proclaimed the Lord’s death and resurrection.
Jesus is not simply honored. He is adored.
Kurios and Salvation
Paul writes:
“If you confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”
Confessing Jesus as kurios is not a ritual formula. It is recognizing that:
Jesus reigns
Jesus saves
Jesus deserves allegiance
Jesus is worthy of trust
To declare Jesus as Lord is to place one’s life within the rule of God’s kingdom.
Kurios and the Roman World
In the Roman Empire, the emperor was sometimes called “lord.” Christians refused to give Caesar ultimate allegiance, insisting instead that:
“Jesus Christ is Lord.”
This confession was both theological and countercultural. It announced that ultimate loyalty belongs to Christ alone.
Everyday Uses of Kurios in the New Testament
Not every use of kurios is divine. Sometimes it simply means “sir.”
Examples include:
the disciples addressing Jesus respectfully before recognizing his divinity
a gardener or landowner being addressed as “sir”
a master in a parable
But when the title refers to Jesus after the resurrection, it almost always carries divine weight.
Kurios and the Holy Spirit
The New Testament also uses kurios in connection with the Spirit. Paul writes:
“The Lord is the Spirit.”
This does not collapse the persons of the Trinity but affirms the Spirit’s divine authority and presence.
Theological Meaning of Kurios
Calling Jesus “Lord” reveals several truths:
Jesus is divine.
Jesus rules with God’s authority.
Jesus deserves worship.
Jesus is the center of Christian faith and salvation.
Jesus fulfills the promises of the Old Testament.
Kurios is not a title that Christians lightly offer. It is a confession that shapes life.
Kurios in Christian Life Today
The confession “Jesus is Lord” continues to guide the church:
in worship
in ethics
in community life
in witness
in service and love
To name Jesus as Lord is to pattern life around his teachings, trust his promises, and participate in his kingdom.
FAQ
What does “kurios” literally mean?
It means lord, master, or one in authority.
Does kurios always refer to God?
No. It can mean “sir” or “master,” but when used for Jesus in worship or theology, it carries divine meaning.
How does kurios relate to the Old Testament?
It is the Greek word used to translate the divine name YHWH.
Why is calling Jesus “Lord” important?
Because it proclaims his divine identity, authority, and saving work.
What is the earliest Christian confession?
“Jesus is Lord”—a declaration of faith and allegiance.
