κτίσις (ktisis)
ktisis
creation
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 19 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun ktisis refers to creation, covering both the act of bringing something into existence and the resulting entity itself. In the New Testament, it frequently describes the physical universe or all created things collectively. This dual sense appears when Paul speaks of God’s invisible attributes being understood through what has been made (Romans 1:20) and when he lists "creation" alongside humanity in his final doxology (Romans 8:39).
A significant shift occurs when the word describes a new spiritual reality. In passages like 2 Corinthians 5:17 and Galatians 6:15, Paul uses the phrase "new creation" to denote the transformed life found in Christ. This usage moves beyond the material world to highlight the profound inner change that defines the Christian experience, distinguishing it from mere external observance.
The term also carries theological weight when applied to the irrational creation. Romans 8:19-22 personifies nature as waiting eagerly for redemption, suggesting that the entire physical order is subject to decay but hopes for liberation. This perspective elevates the material world from a backdrop to a participant in God’s redemptive plan.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word ktisis reminds us that the world is not an accident but a deliberate gift from God. When Romans 1:20 speaks of invisible attributes being perceived through what has been made, it invites you to see beauty and order in everyday life as reflections of divine power. This perspective helps ground your faith in reality, showing that the physical world holds meaning and points toward its Maker.
Yet ktisis also carries a deeper promise for those who follow Christ. In 2 Corinthians 5:17, Paul describes believers as a "new creation," where old patterns fade and fresh life begins. This shift from the material to the spiritual highlights that God is not only the origin of the universe but also the source of personal renewal. You are part of this ongoing story of restoration.
Even nature itself waits with eager expectation for redemption, as Romans 8:19 suggests. This view elevates the physical order from a mere backdrop to a participant in God’s plan. It offers hope that all things, including your struggles and the world around you, are moving toward liberation and glory.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 19 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- creation6×
- of creation2×
- creation;2×
- creation.2×
- created thing2×
- of creation.1×
- institution1×
- creature1×
- creation,1×
- [the] creation1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- κτίσις5×
- κτίσεως5×
- κτίσει3×
- κτίσις·1×
- κτίσις.1×
- κτίσεως·1×
- κτίσεως.1×
- κτίσεως,1×
- κτίσει.1×
Key Verses
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Romans 8:19
For the creation waits with eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed.
This verse personifies creation as waiting eagerly, showing that the physical world actively participates in God's redemptive plan.
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Romans 1:20
For the invisible things of him since the creation of the world are clearly seen, being perceived through the things that are made, even his everlasting power and divinity, that they may be without excuse.
Paul uses this word to explain how God's power and divinity are clearly visible through the natural world.
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Mark 16:15
He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to the whole creation.
The command to preach to the whole creation emphasizes the universal scope of the Gospel message.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does ktisis mean in the New Testament?
How is ktisis different from other words for creation?
Where does the phrase 'new creation' appear?
Does ktisis include nature or animals?
Every Occurrence (19 verses across 9 books)
Mark 3 verses
But from the beginning of the creation, God made them male and female.
Mark 13:19For in those days there will be oppression, such as there has not been the like from the beginning of the creation…
Mark 16:15He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to the whole creation.