κακοήθεια (kakoētheia)
kakoētheia
malice
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun kakōtheia describes a deep-seated malice or malignity that stems from a corrupted character. Derived from words meaning "bad" and "character," it points to more than fleeting anger; it signifies a depravity of heart that manifests as malicious craftiness. This is not merely a bad mood, but a settled disposition toward evil.
Its singular occurrence in the New Testament appears in Romans 1:29, where Paul lists it among the vices that characterize those who suppress the truth. Here, it sits alongside envy and murder, suggesting an active, scheming hostility toward others. The term captures the subtle, calculating nature of hatred, distinguishing it from simple impulsiveness.
Translators typically render this word as "malice," though the Greek root emphasizes the internal state of the person. It reflects a mindset where evil is not just done, but enjoyed or plotted with precision. This usage highlights how moral decay begins in the heart's orientation before it appears in outward actions.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word for malice in Romans 1:29 describes more than a bad mood or a momentary burst of anger. It points to a deep-seated character flaw where evil is plotted with precision and often enjoyed. This kind of heart condition distorts our view of others, turning them into targets for scheming rather than people to love.
Paul lists this trait alongside envy and murder to show how serious moral decay can become when we turn away from God's truth. Recognizing the danger of such a mindset helps us guard our own hearts against subtle bitterness. It reminds us that our inner life matters just as much as our outward actions.
We can find freedom from this heavy burden by turning to Christ, who offers a clean heart and a right spirit. His grace covers our failures and empowers us to choose kindness over calculation. Let this truth encourage you to examine your own motives with honesty and hope in God's transforming love.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- maliciousness,1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- κακοηθείας,1×
Key Verses
-
Romans 1:29
being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, malice; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil habits, secret slanderers,
This is the only New Testament occurrence, where Paul identifies malice as a symptom of suppressing the truth.