καταφρονέω (kataphroneō)
kataphroneō
to despise
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 9 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb kataphroneō means to think little of someone or something, effectively despising or holding them in low regard. It appears nine times in the New Testament, with notable occurrences in Matthew, Romans, and the Pastoral Epistles like 1 Timothy. The word carries a sense of active disdain rather than mere indifference, suggesting a judgment that devalues what is observed.
Its structure combines a prefix implying intensity or downward motion with the root for "mind" or "thought." This etymology highlights that the attitude stems from a specific cognitive assessment — deciding that something is unworthy of respect. In Matthew 6:24 and Luke 16:13, Jesus uses it to describe the impossibility of serving both God and money, framing the love of wealth as a mindset that despises spiritual priorities. Similarly, in Romans 2:4, Paul warns against despising God’s kindness by treating it as trivial.
Translators often render this word as "despise" or "look down on," capturing its dismissive tone. The sources note its use in contexts where believers are warned against undervaluing others, such as in 1 Timothy 4:12, where young Timothy is encouraged not to let anyone despise his youth. This usage underscores that kataphroneō is not just an internal feeling but an attitude that affects how one treats people and divine gifts.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word kataphroneō describes a mindset that looks down on someone or something, treating them as unworthy of respect. It is more than simple indifference; it is an active dismissal rooted in how we judge value. When we despise, we decide that another person’s worth, or God’s gifts, are small and insignificant.
This attitude often creeps into our lives through pride or fear. We might look down on those who seem less successful, or we might treat God’s kindness as something trivial rather than a gift meant to lead us to repentance. Jesus warns against this in Matthew 6:24, showing that serving money requires despising God. It is a choice of the heart that shapes how we treat everyone around us.
Yet there is hope. We are called to see others through God’s eyes, recognizing their inherent dignity as image-bearers. Instead of looking down, we can choose to honor and serve. This shift in perspective allows us to reflect Christ’s love more clearly, finding freedom from the burden of comparison and contempt.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 9 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- he will despise.2×
- they should despise [them]1×
- should despise,1×
- may you despise1×
- having despised,1×
- do you despise1×
- despising.1×
- despise you1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- καταφρονήσει.2×
- καταφρονήσητε1×
- καταφρονήσας,1×
- καταφρονοῦντας.1×
- καταφρονεῖτε1×
- καταφρονεῖς1×
- καταφρονείτωσαν,1×
- καταφρονείτω,1×
Key Verses
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Matthew 6:24
“No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You can’t serve both God and Mammon.
Jesus uses this word to show that loving wealth requires actively despising God, highlighting an impossible split in loyalty.
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Romans 2:4
Or do you despise the riches of his goodness, forbearance, and patience, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?
Paul warns that treating God’s patience as insignificant is a form of despising His kindness, which misses its purpose to lead us to repentance.
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I Timothy 4:12
Let no man despise your youth; but be an example to those who believe, in word, in your way of life, in love, in spirit, in faith, and in purity.
Timothy is instructed not to let others despise his youth, emphasizing that spiritual maturity matters more than age in leadership.
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Hebrews 12:2
looking to Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising its shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Jesus endured the cross by despising its shame, showing how focusing on future joy helps us overlook present humiliation.