### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek verb κοσμέω (kosméō, `{{G2885}}`) is derived directly from the noun κόσμος (kosmos, `{{G2889}}`), which fundamentally signifies "order," "arrangement," or "decoration," and by extension, "the world" as an ordered system. Therefore, the core meaning of κοσμέω is "to put in proper order," "to arrange," or "to make ready by ordering."
From this foundational sense, several semantic extensions arise:
* **To decorate or adorn:** This is the most common translation, reflecting the act of arranging something to make it aesthetically pleasing, beautiful, or honorable. This can be literal (e.g., adorning a building) or figurative (e.g., adorning oneself with virtues).
* **To garnish or embellish:** Similar to decoration, implying an enhancement or completion through careful, often elaborate, arrangement.
* **To trim or snuff (a wick):** This is a specialized and highly illustrative usage. To "trim" a lamp's wick involves putting it in proper order for efficient and clean burning, ensuring a bright and steady light by removing excess char. This highlights the practical aspect of "ordering" for optimal function.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The verb κοσμέω appears 10 times in the New Testament, revealing both its literal and profound figurative applications:
* **Literal Adornment/Ordering:**
* In [[Matthew 12:44]] and [[Luke 11:25]], describing a house "empty, swept, and put in order" (κεκοσμημένον) for the return of an unclean spirit. Here, it denotes a state of careful tidiness and preparation, though ironically for a negative outcome.
* In [[Matthew 23:29]], Jesus condemns the Pharisees for building and "adorning" (κοσμέω) the tombs of the prophets, highlighting their hypocrisy in outward display.
* [[Luke 21:5]] speaks of the temple being "adorned" (κεκόσμηται) with noble stones and offerings, a literal description of its physical grandeur.
* In Revelation's description of the New Jerusalem, the city is depicted as "adorned" (κεκοσμημένην) like a bride ([[Revelation 21:2]]) and its foundations "adorned" (κεκοσμημένοι) with precious jewels ([[Revelation 21:19]]), signifying its ultimate beauty, glory, and perfection.
* **Figurative Adornment/Readiness:**
* The specialized sense of trimming a lamp is found in [[Matthew 25:7]], where the ten virgins "trimmed" (ἐκόσμησαν) their lamps. This action was crucial for ensuring their lamps would burn brightly, symbolizing spiritual readiness and vigilance for the bridegroom's arrival.
* Most significantly, κοσμέω is used metaphorically concerning Christian conduct and character:
* [[1 Timothy 2:9]] instructs women to "adorn" (κοσμέω) themselves with modesty and self-control, rather than with elaborate outward displays like braided hair, gold, or pearls. The true adornment is inner character.
* [[1 Peter 3:5]] echoes this, stating that holy women of old "adorned" (ἐκόσμουν) themselves by submitting to their husbands, emphasizing inner beauty and a gentle spirit.
* Perhaps the most powerful figurative use is in [[Titus 2:10]], where slaves are exhorted to "adorn" (κοσμέω) the doctrine of God our Savior in everything. This means their exemplary conduct, integrity, and obedience should make the teaching of God attractive, honorable, and credible to others, effectively "beautifying" the Gospel through their lives.
### Related Words & Concepts
* **κόσμος (kosmos, `{{G2889}}`):** The foundational noun from which κοσμέω is derived. Understanding κόσμος as "order," "arrangement," and "the world" (as an ordered creation) is crucial. κοσμέω is the active verb of bringing about this order or beauty.
* **κοσμικός (kosmikos, `{{G2886}}`):** An adjective meaning "belonging to the world" or "worldly." While etymologically related, κοσμικός often carries a negative connotation in the New Testament, referring to earthly, transient things in contrast to spiritual realities. This highlights a tension: κοσμέω can be used positively for spiritual adornment, while κοσμικός often describes what is to be shunned.
* **κοσμιότης (kosmiotēs, `{{G2887}}`):** A noun meaning "modesty," "orderliness," or "decorum." This term directly describes the quality of character that κοσμέω seeks to promote in a spiritual sense, particularly in passages like [[1 Timothy 2:9]].
* **εὐπρέπεια (euprepeia, `{{G2155}}`):** Meaning "propriety," "decency," or "comeliness." This concept aligns with the idea of fitting and appropriate adornment, especially in the context of Christian conduct.
* **ἀρετή (aretē, `{{G703}}`):** "Excellence," "virtue." While not directly related etymologically, the "good works" that constitute true κοσμέω in a spiritual sense are expressions of Christian ἀρετή.
* **καλός (kalos, `{{G2570}}`):** "Good," "beautiful," "noble." This adjective often describes the *quality* or *result* of something that has been κοσμέω-ed well, particularly in a moral or ethical sense (e.g., "good works" as true adornment).
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of κοσμέω is multifaceted and profound:
1. **Redefining Adornment:** The word challenges conventional notions of beauty and status. While it acknowledges literal decoration, the New Testament pivotally redefines true adornment for believers. Passages like [[1 Timothy 2:9]] and [[1 Peter 3:5]] teach that genuine beauty is not found in outward display (braided hair, gold, costly apparel) but in inner character—modesty, self-control, good works, and a gentle spirit. This reflects God's valuing of the heart over external appearances.
2. **The Attractiveness of the Gospel:** The command in [[Titus 2:10]] to "adorn the doctrine of God our Savior" is a powerful theological statement. It implies that the lives of believers are to serve as a living commentary on the truth of the Gospel. Their integrity, obedience, and transformed character make God's teaching attractive, credible, and honorable to a watching world. The beauty of the Gospel is to be demonstrated through the beauty of a Spirit-filled life.
3. **Spiritual Readiness and Order:** The use of κοσμέω in the parable of the ten virgins ([[Matthew 25:7]]) underscores the importance of spiritual vigilance and preparedness. Trimming the lamps signifies active readiness for Christ's return, ensuring one's faith is vibrant and functional. Conversely, the "swept and put in order" house in the parable of the unclean spirit ([[Matthew 12:44]]) serves as a warning: mere external tidiness or spiritual emptiness without the indwelling presence of God can lead to a worse state.
4. **Divine Glory and Perfection:** The culminating use of κοσμέω in Revelation to describe the New Jerusalem ([[Revelation 21:2]], [[Revelation 21:19]]) portrays the ultimate state of divine perfection, beauty, and purity. This heavenly city, adorned like a bride and with precious stones, symbolizes the intrinsic glory and holiness of God's dwelling place and the redeemed people within it. It is a vision of ultimate order and splendor, reflecting the character of God Himself.
### Summary
The Greek verb κοσμέω (kosméō, `{{G2885}}`), derived from κόσμος (kosmos, `{{G2889}}`), fundamentally means "to put in proper order," extending to "decorate," "adorn," "garnish," and even "trim" a lamp wick. While it describes literal embellishment of physical structures ([[Matthew 23:29]], [[Luke 21:5]]), its profound theological significance emerges in its figurative applications. The New Testament consistently reorients the concept of "adornment" from outward display to inward character, urging believers to adorn themselves with modesty, good works, and a godly spirit rather than worldly finery ([[1 Timothy 2:9]], [[1 Peter 3:5]]). Most critically, believers are called to "adorn the doctrine of God our Savior" through their lives ([[Titus 2:10]]), making the Gospel attractive and credible by their transformed conduct. The term also conveys a sense of readiness and proper preparation, as seen in the parable of the ten virgins trimming their lamps ([[Matthew 25:7]]). Ultimately, κοσμέω culminates in the glorious vision of the New Jerusalem, perfectly "adorned" as a bride, symbolizing the divine order, beauty, and purity of God's eternal presence ([[Revelation 21:2]], [[Revelation 21:19]]). Thus, κοσμέω is a word that calls believers to reflect divine order and beauty, not primarily through superficial appearance, but through lives transformed by the Holy Spirit, which honor God and commend His truth.
TRV