καταφθείρω (kataphtheirō)
kataphtheirō
to deprave
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb kataphtheirō carries a heavy sense of total ruin or moral decay. It combines an intensifying prefix with a root meaning to spoil or rot, resulting in a word that describes something being completely corrupted or destroyed. In the Septuagint, it often translates Hebrew terms for destruction, setting a tone of irreversible loss.
In the New Testament, this word appears only once, in 2 Timothy 3:8. Paul uses it to describe those who oppose the truth, saying they are "corrupted in mind." Here, the focus is not on physical death but on a deep-seated moral and intellectual depravity that prevents them from understanding or accepting the faith.
Translators typically render this as "depraved" or "corrupt," capturing the idea of a fundamental brokenness. The term suggests that the opposition to truth is not merely a difference of opinion but a condition of the inner person, where the capacity for right judgment has been spoiled beyond repair.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word kataphtheirō paints a stark picture of moral decay, describing a state where the mind is so thoroughly spoiled that it cannot grasp spiritual truth. In 2 Timothy 3:8, Paul uses this term to describe opponents whose judgment has been ruined by their rejection of God's word. It is a sobering reminder that intellectual pride can harden the heart, leading to a condition where one is no longer receptive to the gospel.
For your faith, this passage highlights the importance of guarding your mind against cynicism and self-reliance. When we allow our own reasoning to supersede Scripture, we risk a similar spiritual blindness. Instead, we are invited to remain humble and teachable, recognizing that true understanding comes from God’s grace alone.
May you find comfort in knowing that the truth is not lost on those who seek it with sincere hearts. Even when others stand opposed, God’s word remains clear and powerful for those who listen.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- depraved1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- κατεφθαρμένοι1×
Key Verses
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II Timothy 3:8
Even as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these also oppose the truth, men corrupted in mind, who concerning the faith are rejected.
This verse uses the word to describe opponents whose minds are so ruined by pride that they cannot accept the truth, showing that opposition to God often stems from a corrupted inner state rather than mere disagreement.