Greek word · G2941

κυβέρνησις

kybernēsis

administration

Literally steering or piloting a ship. The kybernētēs is the helmsman (Acts 27:11; Rev 18:17). Figuratively it means guiding, directing, and wise counsel for a city or community. In the plural it means acts or capacities of giving direction.

Appears once in the Greek New Testament. · Updated October 22, 2026

What it means

κυβέρνησις, -εως, ἡ

(κυβερνάω, Lat. gubernare, to guide), [in LXX: Proverbs 1:5 11:14 24:6 (תַּחְבֻּלָה) * ;]

1. steering, pilotage (Plat.).

2. Metaphorical, government: pl., 1 Corinthians 12:28.†

(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 1 Corinthians 12:28

Range of meaning: Literally steering or piloting a ship. The kybernētēs is the helmsman (Acts 27:11; Rev 18:17). Figuratively it means guiding, directing, and wise counsel for a city or community. In the plural it means acts or capacities of giving direction.
Against the English: KJV "governments" now sounds like the civil state. BSB, ESV and NASB "administration" can sound like office management and paperwork. NIV 2011 "guidance" and NLT "leadership" are closer to the picture of the helmsman.
How it drifted: "Governments" comes through the Vulgate's gubernationes (Latin gubernare, "to steer", is itself borrowed from Greek kybernan). In 1611 "government" still meant direction or management. It has since narrowed to the state. "Administration" (BDAG's gloss, alongside "ability to lead") has drifted toward clerical work.
Used elsewhere in the period: LXX Proverbs 1:5 ("the discerning will acquire guidance"); 11:14 ("those who have no guidance fall like leaves"); 24:6 ("war is waged with guidance"). In each case it translates Hebrew taḥbulot, "counsel, direction". Plato's image of the ship of state with its pilot (Republic 488) shows how naturally the image was used for leading a community.

Similar words

κυβερνήτης kybernētēs · captain

Where it appears

1 Corinthians · 1

1 Corinthians 12:28 κυβερνήσεις, administrating,

And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, and those with gifts of healing, helping, administration, and various tongues.

Here: "Steerings": a helmsman's skill, applied to giving the community direction and wise counsel. This is the only place the word appears in the New Testament.

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