καίω (kaiō)
kaiō
to kindle/burn
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 11 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb kaioō describes the act of setting something on fire or causing it to burn. In the New Testament, it is used both literally and metaphorically to depict ignition, consumption by flame, or the state of being alight. Its core meaning centers on the physical process of combustion, whether that involves lighting a lamp or the destructive power of fire.
Scripture employs this word in vivid concrete images. Jesus refers to the practical need for light when he speaks of placing a lit lamp on a stand (Matthew 5:15), while John describes him as a burning and shining light (John 5:35). The imagery shifts to judgment and purification in Revelation, where fires from heaven consume enemies (Revelation 20:9) and the sea turns to blood (Revelation 8:8). It also appears in warnings about losing one’s reward if works are burned up (1 Corinthians 3:15).
Translators typically render kaioō as "burn," "kindle," or "set on fire" depending on context. The word carries a sense of active agency—someone or something initiates the burning, or the object itself becomes the fuel for flame. This distinction helps clarify passages where fire serves as a tool rather than merely a natural phenomenon.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Greek word kaioō paints a vivid picture of fire, whether it is a lamp set on a stand to bring light into a dark room or a flame that consumes what is placed within it. This imagery appears throughout the New Testament, moving from practical daily life to profound spiritual truths. It reminds us that faith often involves both the warmth of God’s presence and the refining nature of His truth.
In our own lives, we might recognize moments when Scripture or a conversation feels like a fire burning within us, clarifying truth in a way that brings deep comfort. At other times, we are reminded that our actions have lasting consequences, much like materials tested by flame. This word invites us to consider how we carry the light of Christ and what we allow to shape our character.
Whether you are seeking clarity in a confusing season or reflecting on the enduring nature of your faith, kaioō points to the reality that God’s presence is both illuminating and transformative. It encourages a life that shines brightly for others while remaining rooted in truth.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 11 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- burning4×
- is burning3×
- kindled1×
- it is burned.1×
- do they light1×
- burning,1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- καιόμενος2×
- κεκαυμένῳ1×
- καίουσιν1×
- καίεται.1×
- καιόμενον1×
- καιόμενοι,1×
- καιόμεναι1×
- καιομένῃ1×
- καιομένης1×
- καιομένη1×
Key Verses
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Luke 24:32
They said to one another, “Weren’t our hearts burning within us while he spoke to us along the way, and while he opened the Scriptures to us?”
This verse uses the word metaphorically to describe the internal conviction and warmth believers felt when Jesus explained the Scriptures, showing how divine truth can ignite the heart.
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Matthew 5:15
Neither do you light a lamp and put it under a measuring basket, but on a stand; and it shines to all who are in the house.
Here the word refers to the practical act of lighting a lamp, illustrating that faith is meant to be visible and useful rather than hidden away.
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John 15:6
If a man doesn’t remain in me, he is thrown out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them, throw them into the fire, and they are burned.
This occurrence highlights the consequence of separation from Christ, where the branch is not only withered but actively burned, emphasizing the seriousness of remaining connected to Him.
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Revelation of John 21:8
But for the cowardly, unbelieving, sinners, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their part is in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.”
The word describes the lake of fire as a place of final judgment, using the imagery of burning to signify eternal separation from God for those who reject Him.