κοσμοκράτωρ (kosmokratōr)
kosmokratōr
world power
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun kosmokratōr translates literally as "ruler of the world," but it carries a specific theological weight in the New Testament. It refers not to God, who is sovereign over all creation, but to the demonic powers that exert influence over this present age. The term appears only once in Scripture, in Ephesians 6:12, where Paul describes the spiritual conflict believers face.
Lexical sources distinguish this word from pantokratōr, which means "ruler of all things" and is used for God. Kosmokratōr implies a localized, rebellious authority—a ruler of "this world" in its current state of rebellion against God. It suggests that the visible structures of power on earth are often underpinned by invisible spiritual forces that oppose divine truth.
The compound nature of the word combines kosmos (world) and kratēr (ruler or strength). This etymology highlights the idea of a dominant force that holds sway over human systems. In Ephesians, Paul uses it to identify the enemy not merely as individual demons, but as an organized hierarchy of evil that seeks to maintain its control over humanity apart from God.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word kosmokratōr appears only once in the New Testament, tucked into Paul’s famous description of spiritual warfare in Ephesians 6:12. It translates literally as "world-ruler" and points to the demonic forces that seem to control the systems and structures of this age. When we read this, it is easy to feel overwhelmed by the scale of the opposition described here.
Yet Paul does not leave us in fear. He places this reality within the context of putting on God’s full armor. The existence of these powers does not mean God has lost control; rather, it clarifies that our struggles are often deeper than human conflict. Recognizing this helps us stop blaming individuals for systemic evil and instead look to divine strength.
This understanding invites a posture of vigilance without panic. We are called to stand firm, knowing that the ultimate authority belongs to Christ alone. The armor provided is sufficient for every challenge we face in this present age.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- cosmic powers1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- κοσμοκράτορας1×
Key Verses
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Ephesians 6:12
For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world’s rulers of the darkness of this age, and against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.
This verse uniquely identifies the hierarchical nature of spiritual evil, grouping these rulers with principalities and powers to show an organized opposition against believers.