δεσπότηςdespótēs
an absolute ruler ("despot")
Greek (New Testament) · G1203
Meanings
a master, lord, correlative of δοῦλος, οἰκέτης: 1 Timothy 6:1, 1 Timothy 6:2, 2 Timothy 2:21, Titus 2:9, 1 Peter 2:18; as title of God, voc., δέσποτα (so usually in LXX), Luke 2:29, Acts 4:24; ὁ δ. = voc. δέσποτα (cf. B1., § 33, 4), Revelation 6:10; of Christ, 2 Peter 2:1, Jude 1:4, R, text (but cf. margin).
Synonyms
κύριος (see that word), implying limitation of authority and a more general relation than δ., which "denoted absolute ownership and uncontrolled power".
Same root
Where it appears
Appears 10 times in the Bible.
- Luke 2:29 “Sovereign Lord, now let your servant die in peace, as you have promised.
- Acts 4:24 When they heard the report, all the believers lifted their voices together in prayer to God: “O Sovereign Lord, Creator of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them—
- 1 Timothy 6:1 All slaves should show full respect for their masters so they will not bring shame on the name of God and his teaching.
- 1 Timothy 6:2 If the masters are believers, that is no excuse for being disrespectful. Those slaves should work all the harder because their efforts are helping other believers who are well loved. Teach these things, Timothy, and encourage everyone to obey them.
- 2 Timothy 2:21 If you keep yourself pure, you will be a special utensil for honorable use. Your life will be clean, and you will be ready for the Master to use you for every good work.
- Titus 2:9 Slaves must always obey their masters and do their best to please them. They must not talk back
Source: G. Abbott-Smith, A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament (1922), public domain.