κακός (kakos)
kakos
evil/harm: evil
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 45 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The Greek adjective kakos describes something that is fundamentally bad, worthless, or harmful. It serves as the direct opposite of agathos (good) and kalos (beautiful), marking a defect in nature or character. In the New Testament, it appears roughly fifty times, with significant usage in Romans, 1 Peter, and Acts.
The word covers a broad spectrum of negative qualities. Ethically, it characterizes wicked persons, base thoughts, and destructive desires, as seen when Jesus lists evil intentions originating in the heart (Mark 7:21). It also describes harmful actions or physical dangers, such as the "evil" deeds that provoke authority figures (Romans 13:3) or the poisonous effects of the tongue (James 3:8).
A key feature of kakos is its ability to function as a substantive noun, referring to "evil" as an abstract force or category. This allows writers to discuss evil not just as a quality of people, but as a pervasive reality that believers must actively avoid, a theme prominent in Paul’s letters and Peter’s epistles.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word kakos describes what is fundamentally harmful or broken, whether in character, action, or circumstance. It appears frequently in the New Testament to highlight the reality of sin and suffering without offering easy explanations for why they exist. When Jesus speaks of evil thoughts proceeding from the heart (Mark 7:21), He points to an internal source that external rules cannot fully address. This honesty about human nature invites us to look beyond surface behavior to the deeper conditions of our hearts.
Paul offers a practical response to this pervasive reality in Romans 12:21, urging believers not to be defeated by evil but to overcome it with good. This is not a call to naive optimism, but to active resistance through love and integrity. The text acknowledges that evil is present (Romans 7:21) yet asserts that good remains the stronger force for those who trust in God’s power. We are invited to participate in this victory by choosing kindness even when it is difficult.
Understanding kakos helps us recognize the seriousness of sin while also seeing the greater power of grace. It reminds us that our actions have weight and that our choices matter in the spiritual realm. By focusing on what is good, we align ourselves with God’s character and find peace in His provision. This perspective encourages a life of purposeful goodness rather than reactive fear.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 45 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- evil26×
- evil.5×
- harm2×
- evil,2×
- wrong1×
- of wrongs,1×
- of evils1×
- of evil things,1×
- of evil things1×
- injurious.1×
- harmful.1×
- harm;1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- κακὸν16×
- κακοῦ6×
- κακὰ4×
- κακόν,3×
- κακοὺς3×
- κακῶν,2×
- κακῶν2×
- κακόν.2×
- κακῷ.1×
- κακόν·1×
- κακόν;1×
- κακόν.¶1×
Key Verses
-
Mark 7:21
For from within, out of the hearts of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, sexual sins, murders, thefts,
This verse identifies the human heart as the internal source of evil thoughts and actions, shifting focus from external compliance to internal character.
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Romans 12:21
Don’t be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Paul commands believers to actively overcome evil with good, presenting a strategic response to spiritual conflict rather than passive avoidance.
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Romans 7:21
I find then the law that, while I desire to do good, evil is present.
Paul acknowledges the persistent presence of evil within himself, validating the ongoing struggle between desire and action for believers.
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Romans 13:3
For rulers are not a terror to the good work, but to the evil. Do you desire to have no fear of the authority? Do that which is good, and you will have praise from the authority,
This passage clarifies that civil authorities are designed to deter evil behavior, providing a framework for understanding justice and order in society.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does kakos mean in the New Testament?
How is kakos different from other words for evil?
Where does this word appear most frequently?
Every Occurrence (45 verses across 19 books)
Matthew 3 verses
They told him, “He will miserably destroy those miserable men, and will lease out the vineyard to other farmers who…
Matthew 24:48But if that evil servant should say in his heart, ‘My lord is delaying his coming,’
Matthew 27:23But the governor said, “Why? What evil has he done?” But they cried out exceedingly, saying, “Let him be crucified!”