SPECIAL TOPIC: KTISIS

SPECIAL TOPIC: KTISIS

This term, ktisis, is used in a variety of senses in the NT. The lexicon by Louw and Nida lists the following possibilities.

1. creation (the act of creation, cf. Mark 13:19; Rom. 1:20-22; Eph. 3:9)

2. creature (that which is created alive, cf. Mark 10:6; Rom. 1:25; 8:39; Col. 1:15;23)

3. universe (all that was created, cf. Mark 13:19; Rom. 8:20; Heb. 9:11)

4. institution (cf. 1 Pet. 2:13, [#42.39])

5. authority (cf. 1 Pet. 2:13, [#37.47])

Paul also personifies creation in Rom. 8:18-25. He characterizes God's new creation, new age, age of the Spirit in 2 Cor. 5:17 and Gal. 6:15. Believers should live like citizens of the new age (cf. Rom. 6:4).