### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek noun ktísma (`{{G2938}}`) is derived from the verb ktízō (`{{G2936}}`), meaning "to create," "to build," or "to found." As such, ktísma denotes "that which has been created," "a created thing," or "a creature." It refers concretely to the product or result of a creative act. Unlike ktísis (`{{G2937}}`), which can refer to the *act* of creation or the *sum total* of creation, ktísma specifically points to an individual entity or a group of entities that have been brought into existence by an external agent. Its semantic range is thus confined to the realm of created beings or objects, emphasizing their origin and dependence on a Creator.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term ktísma appears four times in the New Testament, each instance illuminating a facet of its core meaning:
* **[[Revelation 5:13]]**: "And every creature which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, I heard saying: 'Blessing and honor and glory and power be to Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, forever and ever!'" Here, ktísma is used comprehensively to encompass all created beings across the cosmos—celestial, terrestrial, and aquatic. The context is universal worship, where every created thing acknowledges the sovereignty of God and the Lamb, testifying to their ultimate purpose of glorifying the Creator.
* **[[Revelation 8:9]]**: "A third of the creatures which were in the sea and had life, died." In this apocalyptic vision, ktísma specifically refers to living marine organisms. The context is divine judgment, where a portion of the created order is affected by God's wrath, demonstrating His power not only to create but also to judge His creation.
* **[[1 Timothy 4:4]]**: "For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be refused if it is received with thanksgiving." This verse is foundational for understanding the goodness of God's creation. In response to false teachers advocating asceticism and forbidding certain foods, Paul asserts that all ktísma (here referring to food and, by extension, the material world) originating from God is inherently good and intended for human use with gratitude. This counters any dualistic notion that denigrates the physical realm.
* **[[James 1:18]]**: "Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures." This is a particularly profound usage. Here, ktísma refers to believers who have been spiritually "brought forth" or "generated" by God through the "word of truth." They are not merely part of the original physical creation but are a *new kind* of creation, specifically designated as "firstfruits." This highlights a spiritual re-creation, a divine act of regeneration that marks believers as distinct and consecrated to God.
### Related Words & Concepts
Understanding ktísma is enhanced by examining its relationship to other biblical terms:
* **ktízō (`{{G2936}}`)**: The verb from which ktísma is derived. It signifies the act of creation, the bringing into being from nothing, or the founding of something. ktísma is the *result* of ktízō.
* **ktísis (`{{G2937}}`)**: This noun can refer to the *act* of creation (e.g., [[Romans 1:20]]) or the *sum total* of created things (e.g., [[Romans 8:19-22]], [[Colossians 1:15]]). While ktísis encompasses the entire created order, ktísma points to individual elements within that order.
* **poiēma (`{{G4161}}`)**: Translated as "workmanship" or "that which is made." In [[Ephesians 2:10]], believers are God's poiēma, created in Christ Jesus for good works. While similar to ktísma in denoting a product of divine activity, poiēma often carries a nuance of skilled craftsmanship or design, whereas ktísma emphasizes the sheer act of bringing into existence.
* **Creator-Created Distinction**: The very existence of ktísma inherently establishes a distinction between the uncreated Creator and His created universe. This foundational theological principle undergirds much of biblical revelation.
* **New Creation**: The usage in [[James 1:18]] connects ktísma to the concept of "new creation" (kainē ktísis in [[2 Corinthians 5:17]] and [[Galatians 6:15]]), where believers undergo a spiritual transformation.
### Theological Significance
The term ktísma carries profound theological weight, primarily affirming:
1. **God's Absolute Sovereignty as Creator**: Every ktísma owes its existence to God. This underscores His ultimate power, wisdom, and authority as the sole Originator of all things. There is nothing self-existent apart from Him.
2. **The Inherent Goodness of Creation**: [[1 Timothy 4:4]] is a powerful theological statement affirming that all that God has created is intrinsically good. This stands against any philosophy or religious teaching that would deem the material world, or any part of it, as evil or inherently defiling. It calls for a posture of gratitude and responsible stewardship rather than rejection or asceticism.
3. **The Purpose of Creation is Worship**: As seen in [[Revelation 5:13]], all ktísmata are ultimately destined to give glory, honor, and praise to God and the Lamb. This highlights the teleological aspect of creation—it exists for the glory of its Creator.
4. **Redemption as a New Creation**: The use of ktísma in [[James 1:18]] is particularly significant. It reveals that God's creative work is not limited to the initial bringing forth of the universe but extends into the realm of spiritual regeneration. Believers are not merely reformed but are divinely "brought forth" as a new kind of ktísma, the "firstfruits" of God's redemptive purpose. This emphasizes the divine initiative and power in salvation, equating it with a creative act.
### Summary
The Greek word ktísma (`{{G2938}}`) precisely denotes "a created thing" or "creature," emphasizing its origin as the product of a divine creative act. Its biblical occurrences consistently underscore God's absolute sovereignty as the Creator of all things, from the vast cosmos to individual marine life. Significantly, ktísma affirms the inherent goodness of all God's creation, challenging ascetic denials of the material world. Most profoundly, in [[James 1:18]], it expands to encompass a spiritual "new creation," identifying believers as "firstfruits" of God's redemptive work, brought forth by the "word of truth." Ultimately, ktísma calls all created beings to acknowledge their dependence on and give glory to their Creator.
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