καταισχύνω (kataischunō)
kataischunō
to dishonor
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 12 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb kataischunō means to dishonor or disgrace someone, effectively putting them to shame. In the New Testament, it appears in twelve verses, with a notable concentration in Paul’s letters to Corinth and Rome. The word carries a strong social weight, describing actions that strip a person of dignity or reputation.
Its usage varies depending on whether it is active or passive. In the active voice, it describes an act done to another, such as when Paul argues that certain behaviors bring shame upon the community (1 Corinthians 1:27; 11:22). In the passive voice, it describes the experience of being shamed or the feeling of disgrace itself. This includes the painful reality of disappointed hope, as seen in Romans 5:5, where believers are not put to shame because God’s love has been poured out.
The term often echoes the Old Testament usage found in the Septuagint, particularly in Psalms where the righteous cry out against being disgraced (Psalm 22:6; 25:3). Paul and Peter apply this language to describe how God reverses human expectations, ensuring that those who trust in Him are not left in a state of humiliation or public disgrace.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word kataischunō speaks to the deep human fear of public disgrace or lost dignity. In the ancient world, shame was a heavy social burden, stripping a person of honor and standing. The New Testament uses this term to describe actions that bring humiliation, whether it is failing to uphold community standards or facing the disappointment of unmet expectations.
Yet, for the believer, this word offers profound comfort. Scripture assures us that trusting in God does not end in shame. Because His love fills our hearts through the Holy Spirit, our hope remains secure. We are not left to face humiliation alone; instead, we find that God’s purposes vindicate those who believe, turning potential disgrace into lasting honor.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 12 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- will be put to shame.2×
- He may shame2×
- were ashamed1×
- they may be ashamed1×
- shall be put to shame1×
- put to shame1×
- may be put to shame.1×
- he dishonors1×
- does make [us] ashamed,1×
- dishonors1×
- I was put to shame,1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- καταισχύνῃ2×
- καταισχύνει2×
- κατῃσχύνοντο1×
- κατῃσχύνθην,1×
- καταισχύνετε1×
- καταισχύνει,1×
- καταισχυνθῶσιν1×
- καταισχυνθῶμεν1×
- καταισχυνθῇ.1×
- καταισχυνθήσεται.¶1×
- καταισχυνθήσεται.1×
Key Verses
-
Romans 5:5
and hope doesn’t disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
This verse connects the word directly to the security of hope, assuring believers that their trust in God will not result in disappointment or shame.
-
I Corinthians 11:22
What, don’t you have houses to eat and to drink in? Or do you despise God’s assembly and put them to shame who don’t have enough? What shall I tell you? Shall I praise you? In this I don’t praise you.
Here Paul uses the active voice to rebuke the Corinthian church for excluding poor members, showing how social actions can bring shame upon the community of faith.
-
I Peter 3:16
having a good conscience. Thus, while you are spoken against as evildoers, they may be disappointed who curse your good way of life in Christ.
Peter explains that living with a good conscience causes those who speak against believers to be put to shame, reversing the expected social dynamic.
-
I Corinthians 1:27
but God chose the foolish things of the world that he might put to shame those who are wise. God chose the weak things of the world that he might put to shame the things that are strong.
Paul highlights God’s choice of the weak and foolish to shame the wise and strong, illustrating how divine power overturns human standards of honor.