καθήκω (kathēkō)
kathēkō
be fit
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb kathēkō signifies what is fitting, proper, or becoming in a given situation. Derived from roots meaning "down" and "to reach," it carries the sense of something descending to meet a standard or requirement. In the New Testament, this concept appears sparingly, with occurrences primarily found in Acts and Romans.
Its usage highlights a moral or logical appropriateness rather than mere preference. For instance, in Romans 1:28, Paul describes those who did not see fit to retain God in their knowledge as being given over to a debased mind, using the phrase "things not fitting" (ta mē kathēkonta) to denote actions that violate the proper order of creation. Similarly, Acts 22:22 employs the term impersonally to show that the crowd found Paul’s defense improper or unacceptable.
This word underscores a sense of objective rightness. It is not about subjective opinion but about what aligns with divine or natural law. The sources note its presence in the Septuagint, where it often translates Hebrew terms related to judgment or proper conduct, reinforcing its weight as a marker of ethical and spiritual correctness.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word kathēkō points to what is truly fitting or proper. It is not about personal taste but about aligning with a higher standard. When we seek to live in a way that honors God, we are looking for the path that is right and appropriate. This concept helps us discern between choices that build up our faith and those that lead us away from it.
In Romans 1:28, Paul uses this idea to show what happens when people turn away from God. They do not see fit to keep Him in their thoughts, so they engage in actions that are not fitting. This reminds us that our choices have weight. We are invited to reflect on whether our daily decisions align with the truth we hold dear.
Acts 22:22 shows how this word can also describe social or moral boundaries. The crowd found Paul’s words unacceptable, highlighting a clash between what was right and what was popular. As Christians, we are called to stand for what is fitting in God’s eyes, even when it is difficult. This brings peace, knowing we walk in integrity.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- it was proper1×
- being proper,1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- καθῆκεν1×
- καθήκοντα,1×
Key Verses
-
Romans 1:28
Even as they refused to have God in their knowledge, God gave them up to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not fitting;
This verse uses the related noun form to describe actions that violate the proper order of creation after people refuse to acknowledge God.
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Acts 22:22
They listened to him until he said that; then they lifted up their voice and said, “Rid the earth of this fellow, for he isn’t fit to live!”
Here the verb is used impersonally to show that the crowd found Paul's defense improper, highlighting a moment of moral rejection.