καταβαρέω (katabareō)
katabareō
to burden
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb katabareō means to weigh someone down with a heavy load. It combines a prefix meaning "down" with a root meaning "heavy," creating a vivid image of pressure pressing upon a person. In the New Testament, this word appears only once, in 2 Corinthians 12:16, where Paul addresses a misunderstanding about his relationship with the Corinthian church.
Paul uses this term to clarify that he never sought to burden them financially or emotionally. The context shows he was careful not to impose costs on them, even when sending others to help. This single usage highlights how the word describes an unwanted weight placed on another person, contrasting sharply with Paul’s desire to serve rather than exploit.
Translators typically render it "burden" or "weigh down." The rare occurrence in Scripture makes this instance particularly significant for understanding Paul’s pastoral care and his insistence on integrity in ministry relationships.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word katabareō paints a picture of someone being weighed down by an excessive load. In 2 Corinthians 12:16, Paul uses this rare term to assure the church that he never used his position to place financial or emotional pressure on them. This clarity reveals a leader who values integrity and seeks to serve rather than exploit.
For your own life, this reminds us that true care does not add heavy burdens to others. Instead, it offers support and relief. When relationships are built on trust and generosity, the weight of obligation lifts, allowing both parties to breathe freely in grace.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- did burden1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- κατεβάρησα1×
Key Verses
-
II Corinthians 12:16
Even so, I myself didn’t burden you. But you might say that being crafty, I caught you with deception.
Paul uses this unique verb to explicitly deny that he used craftiness or deception to impose costs on the Corinthian believers.