UBS Dictionary of the Greek New Testament

Sense 1: creation (in the NT, used exclusively of God’s activity in creation)

Semantic entry: 42.35

Semantic domains: Perform, Do

Subdomains: Make, Create

Definition: act of making or creating something which has not existed before

Sense 2: creation, creature, what has been created

Semantic entry: 42.38

Semantic domains: Perform, Do

Subdomains: Make, Create

Definition: that which has been created

Sense 3: universe, creation, what was made

Semantic entry: 1.4

Semantic domains: Geographical Objects and Features

Subdomains: Universe, Creation

Definition: the universe as the product of God’s activity in creation

Notes: The meaning of κτίσις[c] might very well be treated as a simple derivative of the verb κτίζω ‘to create’ (42.35: κτίζω / 42.35: κτίσις), since the reference is to the result of God’s creative act. However, in a number of contexts, the process of creation is no longer focal, and what is in focus is the total physical universe. In some languages the meaning may be best expressed as ‘the world and all that is in it’ or even ‘everything that exists.’

Sense 4: institution, structure

Semantic entry: 42.39

Semantic domains: Perform, Do

Subdomains: Make, Create

Definition: (derivative of κτίζω ‘to create,’ 42.35: κτίζω / 42.35: κτίσις) a human institution or social structure as something which has been created

Notes: It is possible that κτίσις in RV PE1 2:13 · LV PE1 2:13 · Read together PE1 2:13 may have the implication of authorized institution. It might even be possible to render κτίσις in such a context as ‘authority’ (compare κτίσις [source selector 000004][e] in 37.43: κτίσις).

Sense 5: authority

Semantic entry: 37.43

Semantic domains: Control, Rule

Subdomains: Exercise Authority

Definition: an instituted authority, with the implication that such an authority has been created or formed

Notes: The expression ‘human authority’ may be rendered as ‘every person who has the right to rule.’ For another interpretation of κτίσις in RV PE1 2:13 · LV PE1 2:13 · Read together PE1 2:13, see 42.39: κτίσις.