κάμπτω (kamptō)
kamptō
to bend/bow
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 4 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb kamptō describes the physical act of bending or bowing down. In the New Testament, it appears in only four verses, primarily within Paul’s letters to the Romans, Philippians, and Ephesians. The word captures a deliberate movement of lowering the body, often signaling respect, submission, or worship.
Its usage carries significant theological weight when applied to creation. In Romans 14:11 and Philippians 2:10, Paul quotes Isaiah to declare that every knee will bow to God. Here, the term extends beyond mere posture; it signifies universal acknowledgment of divine authority. The action is not optional but inevitable, as all creation is destined to bend before its Creator.
Similarly, Ephesians 3:14 uses the word to describe Paul’s posture in prayer. He bows his knees toward the Father, a gesture that physically embodies his spiritual dependence and reverence. This concrete image grounds abstract devotion in bodily action, showing how worship involves the whole person. The term remains distinct from general standing or sitting, emphasizing humility and honor through physical submission.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word kamptō describes the physical act of bending or bowing down. In the New Testament, it appears in only four verses, primarily within Paul’s letters to the Romans, Philippians, and Ephesians. The word captures a deliberate movement of lowering the body, often signaling respect, submission, or worship.
Its usage carries significant theological weight when applied to creation. In Romans 14:11 and Philippians 2:10, Paul quotes Isaiah to declare that every knee will bow to God. Here, the term extends beyond mere posture; it signifies universal acknowledgment of divine authority. The action is not optional but inevitable, as all creation is destined to bend before its Creator.
Similarly, Ephesians 3:14 uses the word to describe Paul’s posture in prayer. He bows his knees toward the Father, a gesture that physically embodies his spiritual dependence and reverence. This concrete image grounds abstract devotion in bodily action, showing how worship involves the whole person. The term remains distinct from general standing or sitting, emphasizing humility and honor through physical submission.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 4 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- will bow1×
- may bow1×
- bowed1×
- I bow1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἔκαμψαν1×
- κάμψῃ1×
- κάμψει1×
- κάμπτω1×
Key Verses
-
Romans 14:11
For it is written, “‘As I live,’ says the Lord, ‘to me every knee will bow. Every tongue will confess to God.’”
Paul quotes Isaiah to declare that every knee will bow to God, extending the term beyond mere posture to signify universal acknowledgment of divine authority.
-
Philippians 2:10
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, those on earth, and those under the earth,
This verse declares that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, emphasizing the inevitable submission of all creation to Christ's authority.
-
Ephesians 3:14
For this cause, I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
Paul uses this posture to describe his own prayer life, physically embodying spiritual dependence and reverence toward the Father.