Original Word: γωνία
Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine
Transliteration: gónia
Pronunciation: go-NEE-ah
Phonetic Spelling: (go-nee'-ah)
KJV: corner, quarter
NASB: corner, corners
Word Origin: [probably akin to G1119 (γονύ - knee)]

1. an angle

angle, corner, quarter.

Probably akin to gonu; an angle -- corner, quarter.

see GREEK gonu

Word Origin
from gonu
Definition
an angle, a corner
NASB Translation
corner (6), corners (3).

STRONGS NT 1137: γωνία

γωνία, γωνίας, ἡ (from Herodotus down), an angle, i. e.

a. an external angle, corner (German Ecke): τῶν πλατειῶν, Matthew 6:5; κεφαλή γωνίας, Matthew 21:42; Mark 12:10; Luke 20:17; Acts 4:11; 1 Peter 2:7 (פִּנָּה רֹאשׁ, Psalm 117:22 (), the head of the corner, i. e. the cornerstone (ἀκρογωνιαῖος, which see); αἱ τέσσαρες γωνίαι τῆς γῆς, the four extreme limits of the earth, Revelation 7:1; Revelation 20:8.

b. like German Winkel, Latinangulus, English (internal) corner, equivalent to a secret place: Acts 26:26 (so Plato, Gorgias, p. 485 d. βίον βιωναι ἐν γωνία, Epictetus diss. 2, 12, 17; (for other examples see Wetstein on Acts, the passage cited; Stallbaum on Plato, the passage cited)).

Overview

The noun γωνία appears nine times in the Greek New Testament and consistently carries the idea of a “corner” or place where lines converge. Inspired writers use the term in three principal ways: (1) literal street or building corners that serve as highly visible points; (2) the “cornerstone,” a messianic title revealing Jesus Christ as the essential, load-bearing Head of God’s spiritual house; and (3) the four corners of the earth, an idiom expressing the universal scope of divine governance and eschatological action.

Street Corners: Visibility Exposed

Matthew 6:5 exposes hypocritical religion “standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men.” The setting underscores how public visibility can nurture spiritual pride. The Master’s instruction directs disciples toward secret communion with the Father rather than ostentatious performance. Conversely, Acts 26:26 uses the negative: “For I am convinced that none of this has escaped his notice, because it was not done in a corner.” Paul reminds Agrippa that Christ’s redemptive work and the apostolic witness were carried out publicly. Together the passages warn against self-glorifying display while commending transparent proclamation of the gospel.

Ministry Application
• Prayer must seek God’s approval, not human applause.
• Evangelism and testimony should be open, honest, and accountable; the Christian faith is not a secret society.

The Cornerstone: Christ the Capstone of Salvation History

Six of the nine occurrences appear within the quotation of Psalm 118:22, “The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone” (Matthew 21:42; Mark 12:10; Luke 20:17; Acts 4:11; 1 Peter 2:7). The verse declares that the rejected Messiah becomes the foremost stone that aligns, supports, and unifies the entire structure.

1. Matthew 21:42 records Jesus applying the psalm to His imminent rejection by Israel’s leaders yet certain exaltation by the Father.
2. Mark 12:10 and Luke 20:17 repeat the same prophetic indictment.
3. Acts 4:11 places Peter before the Sanhedrin: “He is ‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone.’” The apostles confront the very “builders” responsible for crucifying Christ while announcing His resurrection authority.
4. 1 Peter 2:7 comforts believers under pressure: regardless of human rejection, the Cornerstone is precious to God and to all who trust in Him.

Theological Significance
• Christ alone provides alignment, cohesion, and stability to God’s covenant people (compare Isaiah 28:16; Ephesians 2:20).
• Human rejection of Jesus was foreseen, yet divine election reversed the verdict, vindicating Him as the indispensable foundation.
• Every person’s relation to the Cornerstone determines his or her ultimate destiny (1 Peter 2:8).

The Four Corners of the Earth: Global Reach of God’s Purposes

Revelation twice employs γωνίαι to depict the extremities of the created world.

Revelation 7:1: “After this I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding back the four winds.”

Revelation 20:8: Satan “will go out to deceive the nations—the four corners of the earth—Gog and Magog, to gather them for battle.”

John adopts the ancient imagery of the earth as a four-sided plane not to teach geography but to proclaim the cosmic breadth of divine activity. The sealed saints in chapter 7 receive global protection, whereas in chapter 20 the final rebellion extends to the world’s every corner before being crushed.

Pastoral Observations
• God’s sovereignty is comprehensive; no region lies outside His rule or His redemptive concern (compare Isaiah 11:12).
• Spiritual warfare is likewise global; the church’s mission must be worldwide in scope.

Historical and Cultural Background

In first-century construction a cornerstone (kephalē gōnias) was laid first; its squared edges ensured that every succeeding stone aligned properly. Rejecting a stone judged “unfit” by builders was common on ancient sites, making Psalm 118’s reversal graphic and memorable. Street corners in Roman and Hellenistic cities served as hubs of commerce, rhetoric, and public piety, rendering Jesus’ critique of showy prayers immediately intelligible to His listeners.

Implications for Christian Ministry

• Christ-Centered Foundation: Every doctrine, program, and relationship in the church must square with the Cornerstone.
• Public Integrity: Ministries must reject theatrical spirituality while modeling openness and accountability.
• Global Vision: Prayer, evangelism, and discipleship should embrace “the four corners of the earth,” trusting that the Lord of all nations empowers His people until the final day.

Summary

Whether designating the hidden-exposing street corner, the decisive cornerstone, or the far-reaching corners of the earth, γωνία consistently directs attention to visibility, alignment, and comprehensive scope. Each usage converges on the supremacy of Jesus Christ—publicly vindicated, architecturally essential, and universally sovereign.

γνωίας γωνια γωνία γωνίᾳ γωνίαι γωνιαίον γωνιαις γωνίαις γωνίαν γωνιας γωνίας γωνιών δαβίρ gonia gōnia goníāi gōníāi goniais goníais gōniais gōníais gonias gonías gōnias gōníasInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts