κατάρτισις (katartisis)
katartisis
perfection
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun katartisis refers to the act of making something whole or fully functional. It describes a process of strengthening and setting right, often with a focus on ethical or spiritual maturity. In the New Testament, it carries the sense of restoring a person to their intended state of fitness for purpose.
This single occurrence in 2 Corinthians 13:9 highlights its theological weight. Paul uses the word to express his desire for the believers' perfection, meaning their complete restoration and stability in faith. The term implies that growth is not automatic but requires active divine work to bring about a state of wholeness.
Its root verb suggests mending or adjusting, much like setting a broken bone or tuning an instrument. This imagery underscores that spiritual maturity involves repair and alignment rather than mere accumulation of knowledge. Translators often render it as "perfecting" or "restoration," capturing the idea of bringing something to its intended completeness.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word katartisis points to a deep, intentional process of making whole. It is not about adding more knowledge or status, but about repair and alignment. Think of setting a broken bone so it heals straight, or tuning an instrument so it plays in harmony with the rest. Spiritual growth often feels like this quiet, sometimes painful work of being restored to our intended purpose.
In 2 Corinthians 13:9, Paul expresses his greatest joy when believers become strong and stable. He prays for their perfection, meaning their complete restoration in faith. This reminds us that our weakness is not a failure but an opportunity for God’s strengthening work. We do not achieve maturity by our own effort alone; it requires His active care to bring us to wholeness.
When you feel fragile or incomplete, remember that this process is part of God’s loving design. He is working to align your heart with His purposes, creating a stability that lasts. This hope encourages us to trust the slow, steady work of grace in our lives.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- perfection.1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- κατάρτισιν.1×
Key Verses
-
II Corinthians 13:9
For we rejoice when we are weak and you are strong. We also pray for this: your becoming perfect.
Paul uses this rare noun to define his primary prayer for the church: their complete restoration and stability in faith, rather than their success or power.