καθό (katho)
katho
insofar as
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 3 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The adverb kathō means "insofar as" or "according to what." It functions as a comparative marker, linking an action or state to a specific standard or measure. The word is built from two parts: kata ("according to") and ho (the relative pronoun "which"), creating a phrase that literally translates to "according to which thing."
This term appears only three times in the New Testament, found in Romans 8:26, 2 Corinthians 8:12, and 1 Peter 4:13. In each instance, it sets a boundary or condition for how something is understood. For example, in 2 Corinthians 8:12, Paul notes that God accepts a gift not by its size, but according to what the giver has. The word ensures the reader understands that the evaluation is based on a specific, limited scope rather than an absolute standard.
Translators often render kathō as "insofar as" or "according as." This choice preserves the conditional nuance of the Greek. It reminds the reader that the statement following the adverb is true only within the defined limits. The word does not assert a universal truth but rather a proportional relationship between two ideas.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word kathō reminds us that God measures our actions by what is actually in our hands, not by an impossible standard outside of them. In 2 Corinthians 8:12, Paul explains that a gift is acceptable according to what you have, rather than what you do not possess. This offers great relief when we feel inadequate or overwhelmed by the gap between our current capacity and our ideals.
When life feels heavy, this concept helps us see that God’s grace operates within the limits of our actual situation. We do not need to manufacture resources we lack; we simply offer the readiness and love we currently hold. This proportional view of faithfulness allows us to trust that our small efforts are seen and valued by Him.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 3 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- as4×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- καθὸ4×
Key Verses
-
II Corinthians 8:12
For if the readiness is there, it is acceptable according to what you have, not according to what you don’t have.
Paul uses this term to clarify that God evaluates a gift based on the giver's actual resources rather than an idealized amount they do not possess.
-
Romans 8:26
In the same way, the Spirit also helps our weaknesses, for we don’t know how to pray as we ought. But the Spirit himself makes intercession for us with groanings which can’t be uttered.
The Spirit intercedes for us insofar as we cannot articulate our deepest needs, bridging the gap between human weakness and divine understanding.
-
I Peter 4:13
But because you are partakers of Christ’s sufferings, rejoice, that at the revelation of his glory you also may rejoice with exceeding joy.
Peter encourages believers to rejoice insofar as they share in Christ's sufferings, linking their current pain directly to future glory.