κυρόω (kuroō)
kuroō
to affirm
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb kyroō means to make something valid or legally binding, much like an official seal on a document. It carries the sense of confirming an agreement so that it holds full authority and cannot be set aside. In the New Testament, this word appears only twice, yet its usage is precise and significant.
In Galatians 3:15, Paul uses the term to describe human covenants, noting that once a contract has been ratified, no one can add to it or annul it. This illustrates the finality of a confirmed agreement. Similarly, in 2 Corinthians 2:8, believers are urged to reaffirm their love for a repentant individual, effectively ratifying the restoration of their relationship within the church community.
Its root relates to authority and validity, emphasizing that what is kyroō-ed stands firm. Translators often render it as "confirm" or "ratify," capturing the idea that the action gives the matter its full weight and standing. The word underscores the seriousness of commitments, whether legal covenants or relational bonds.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word kyroō carries the weight of an official seal, marking something as final and binding. When a covenant is confirmed, it cannot be altered or set aside by human will. This concept reminds us that God’s promises are not tentative suggestions but settled realities. What He has ratified stands firm, offering a stable ground for our trust.
In relationships, this idea of confirmation brings healing. Paul urged the church to reaffirm their love for a repentant brother, effectively sealing his restoration into the community. This act was not merely emotional but structural, restoring the broken bond with authority and clarity. It shows that reconciliation requires deliberate action to make peace real again.
Whether in divine covenants or human relationships, confirmation brings security. We can rest in the knowledge that God’s word holds ultimate authority. Our commitments, when grounded in His truth, share in this stability. May you find peace in the certainty of what has been established.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- to confirm1×
- ratified1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- κυρῶσαι1×
- κεκυρωμένην1×
Key Verses
-
Galatians 3:15
Brothers, speaking of human terms, though it is only a man’s covenant, yet when it has been confirmed, no one makes it void or adds to it.
Paul uses this term to illustrate that a ratified human covenant cannot be annulled, highlighting the finality and binding nature of confirmed agreements.
-
II Corinthians 2:8
Therefore I beg you to confirm your love toward him.
The command to confirm love serves to officially ratify the restoration of a repentant believer within the church community.