Meaning Of "Kingdom"

Dear Bro. Turner: Does the word "kingdom" sometimes mean the rule and reign of Christ in the heart of a person as seems to be inferred by Luke 17:21? DS

Reply:

It is my understanding that the word "basileia" (kingdom) always refers to "rule" and only by extension does it refer to the citizens, the territory or dominion---realm, such as is contemplated when we say "the church" is Christ's kingdom.

Moulton and Milligan (Vocabulary of the Greek New Testament) say, "As kingship or sovereignty in the abstract is necessarily the root meaning of this word, it is easy to see how the passage into the concrete could either be on the lines of our dominion (cf. "our Sovereign and his dominions"), or follow the outward and visible signs of royalty."

When we see the word "kingdom" we should think "rule". Then, after the idea of "rule" is firmly planted in our mind, we may examine the context to see if, in this case, the word is extended to designate the realm of that rule, the people ruled, the nature of that rule (physical or spiritual), or some other extended use. We do ourselves, and our readers or hearers, a grave injustice when we say "the church and the kingdom are the same" without adequate explanation. The erroneous insitutional concept of "church" that is so prevalent only complicates and compunds the error. R.L. Whiteside put it well when he wrote: "In its broadest sense the church is that body of people who have been called out of sin into the service of Christ. As Jesus rules over his body of people, it is his kingdom." (Kingdom of Promise and Prophecy; p. 177).

Robert F. Turner

Plain Talk, vol. 11, no. 2, p. 7---April, 1973