Greek word · G2583

κανών

kanōn

rule

A straight rod or bar. A carpenter's or mason's ruler or measuring line. From there: a standard or norm (an artist's model proportions, a grammarian's rule). In administrative use: a fixed schedule or assessment of obligations, and the limits that go with it. In the NT it appears only here (vv.

Appears 4 times in 4 verses of the Greek New Testament. ·

What it means

κανών, -όνος, ὁ

(cf. κάννα, and Heb. קָנֶה, a reed), [in LXX: Micah 7:4, Judith 13:6, 4Ma.7:21 (and in Aq., Psalms 19:5, Job 38:5)* ;]

1. a rod or bar (Jth, l.with).

2. a measuring rule; hence, metaph,

3. a rule or standard: Galatians 6:16.

4. a limit (RV, province): 2 Corinthians 10:13-16. (For the history of the word and esp. its later meanings, see Westc., Canon, App. A; cf. also MM, Exp., xv; Cremer, 744.)†

(AS)

From G. Abbott-Smith, A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament (1922), via STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0).

In depth

From the study of 2 Corinthians 10:13

Range of meaning

A straight rod or bar. A carpenter's or mason's ruler or measuring line. From there: a standard or norm (an artist's model proportions, a grammarian's rule). In administrative use: a fixed schedule or assessment of obligations, and the limits that go with it. In the NT it appears only here (vv. 13, 15, 16) and at Gal 6:16 ('all who walk by this rule').

Against the English

KJV 'rule' (in 1611 'rule' still readily meant a ruler or measuring line). BSB/ESV 'field/area of influence', NIV 'sphere of service', NASB 'sphere', WEB 'boundaries'. The 'sphere/area' renderings bring out the territory sense. 'Rule' keeps the measuring-rod image but now sounds like 'regulation'.

How it drifted

English 'canon' later came to mean the closed list of authoritative scriptural books. That use comes from the 4th century (e.g. Athanasius) and has nothing to do with this verse. Separately, KJV 'rule' has shifted for modern ears from 'measuring rod' to 'regulation'.

Used elsewhere in the period

Classical and Hellenistic usage for builder's rods and for standards of judgment (LSJ). A Greek–Latin edict from Sagalassos in Pisidia (early in Tiberius' reign, published by S. Mitchell, JRS 1976) uses kanōn for the official schedule fixing which towns must supply transport, and how much, on which stretches of road. That is an assigned area of obligation with set limits. Scholars widely cite it to explain the 'assigned territory' sense here (BDAG notes it).

From the study of Galatians 6:16

Range of meaning

A straight rod or bar; a carpenter's or mason's measuring rule; then figuratively a standard, norm or criterion; also a measured-out area or sphere (2 Cor 10:13–16, where it means Paul's assigned field of work).

Against the English

English 'rule' easily suggests a regulation or a commandment to obey. Kanōn is a measuring line: a standard you check yourself against and line up with.

How it drifted

From the 4th century the word came to mean the church's list of authoritative books (the 'canon') and church regulations ('canon law'). Neither sense is in view here.

Used elsewhere in the period

Classical and Hellenistic Greek use it for builders' and sculptors' measuring rods and for ethical standards (Epictetus speaks of a kanōn for judging what is good). Philo uses it of the standard of truth. In the Greek Old Testament it is rare (e.g. Micah 7:4 in some manuscripts).

Where it appears

2 Corinthians · 3

  1. 2 Corinthians 10:13 κανόνος area

    We, however, will not boast beyond our limits, but only within the field of influence that God has assigned to us—a field that reaches even to you.

    Here: Literally the measuring rod or line. Here it means the limit or allotted area God marked out for Paul's work. 'The measure of the kanōn' means the extent set by that measuring line.

  2. 2 Corinthians 10:15 κανόνα area

    Neither do we boast beyond our limits in the labors of others. But we hope that as your faith increases, our area of influence among you will greatly increase as well,

  3. 2 Corinthians 10:16 κανόνι area

    so that we can preach the gospel in the regions beyond you. Then we will not be boasting in the work already done in another man’s territory.

Galatians · 1

  1. Galatians 6:16 κανόνι rule

    Peace and mercy to all who walk by this rule, even to the Israel of God.

    Here: Literally a straight rod or measuring line. Here it is the standard the readers are to line up with, and it refers back to verses 14–15: the cross of Christ, and new creation in place of circumcision or uncircumcision.

Word data: STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0), main text only.