Greek word · Strong's G2962

κύριος

kýrios · noun · “Lord, master”

In a sentence

Kyrios means lord or master — a title of authority used for God in the Greek Old Testament and confessed of Jesus, declaring his divine lordship.

Kyrios ranged from a polite “sir” to the supreme title of a master or ruler. Crucially, the Greek Old Testament used kyrios to render the divine name, so calling Jesus “Lord” in the fullest sense ascribes deity to him.

The earliest Christian confession was “Jesus is Lord” (Romans 10:9). It means he is rightful master of all — a claim that costs everything and gives everything, since this Lord is also the Savior who gave himself for us.

Strong's reference

Definition: supreme in authority, i.e. (as noun) controller; by implication, Master (as a respectful title)

KJV usage: God, Lord, master, Sir

Reference gloss from Strong's Concordance (1890, public domain).

Key verses BSB · Public Domain (CC0)

Romans 10:9 “that if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” Philippians 2:11 “and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Acts 2:36 “Therefore let all Israel know with certainty that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ!””

Original BibleDawn word study. Original-language data and the public-domain Strong's (1890) gloss are referenced; see sources.