καταρτισμός (katartismos)
katartismos
preparation
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun katartismos refers to the act of preparing or equipping someone for a specific purpose. Derived from the verb that means to mend or set right, it carries the sense of making something fit for use. In the New Testament, this word appears only once, in Ephesians 4:12, where it describes the work of church leaders.
Paul uses it to explain how pastors and teachers function within the body of Christ. The term implies a thorough preparation, not just for personal holiness but for active service. It suggests that the goal of this equipping is to enable all believers to perform their own roles effectively, rather than leaving the work solely to the clergy.
While often translated simply as "equipping," the word retains a nuance of restoration or mending from its root. This highlights that spiritual maturity involves both building up and repairing what is broken. The focus remains on the practical outcome: a community prepared for every good work, fully furnished for the tasks ahead.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word katartismos points to a careful preparation, much like mending a net so it can hold fish or setting a broken bone so it heals strong. In Ephesians, Paul uses this term to describe how spiritual leaders equip the entire community. It is not just about learning facts but being made fit for the work God has planned.
This means your faith is intended for action. The church grows when every member is prepared to serve. You are not left to struggle alone; through teaching and support, you are restored and strengthened. This preparation helps you stand firm and contribute to the body of Christ in meaningful ways.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- perfecting1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- καταρτισμὸν1×
Key Verses
-
Ephesians 4:12
for the perfecting of the saints, to the work of serving, to the building up of the body of Christ,
This verse defines the purpose of leadership as equipping believers for active service rather than doing all the work themselves.