SIR (κύριε).—The title is employed as a term of courtesy or reverence in various relationships. It is the salutation of servants (slaves) to their masters (‘Sir, didst thou not sow good seed?’ Matthew 13:27); of a son to a father (‘I go, sir,’ Matthew 21:30); of the priests and Pharisees to Pilate (‘Sir, we remember that that deceiver said,’ Matthew 27:63); of the Greeks to Philip (‘Sir, we would see Jesus,’ John 12:21). In the English versions ‘lord’ (κύριε) is frequently used in the same sense (‘Lord, thou deliveredst unto me live talents,’ Matthew 25:20, Matthew 25:22, Matthew 25:24, ‘Lord, let it alone this year also,’ Luke 13:8, Luke 14:22, Luke 19:16, Luke 19:18, Luke 19:20). It is also a term frequently employed in addressing Jesus, both by disciples and others (‘Lord, if thou wilt thou canst make me clean,’ Matthew 8:2, John 11:12); so the woman of Samaria says to Jesus, ‘Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with’ (John 4:11). See art. Lord.
John Reid.