κατοπτρίζω (katoptrizō)
katoptrizō
to reflect
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb katoptrizō describes the act of reflecting an image, much like a mirror does. Derived from the word for mirror (katoptron), it appears only once in the New Testament, in 2 Corinthians 3:18. Here, Paul uses it to explain how believers behold the glory of the Lord and are transformed into His likeness. The sense is not merely seeing, but actively reflecting that divine character back into the world.
While the active form means to reflect, the middle voice can imply looking at oneself in a mirror. In this specific context, the focus is on transformation through reflection. As believers gaze upon Christ, they are changed from one degree of glory to another. This unique usage highlights a spiritual process where seeing leads to becoming, mirroring the very nature of God.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word katoptrizō appears just once in the New Testament, yet it carries a profound picture for your daily walk. It describes the act of reflecting light, much like a mirror catches and returns an image. In 2 Corinthians 3:18, Paul uses this verb to explain that when we look at Jesus, we do not just see Him—we begin to look more like Him. This is not a passive process but a gentle transformation by the Spirit.
For your faith life, this means that time spent beholding Christ’s character reshapes your own. You do not need to manufacture goodness or force change through sheer willpower. Instead, as you fix your eyes on His glory, the Holy Spirit works quietly within you. Over time, the reflection becomes clearer, and others see Jesus in your actions and words.
This promise is both simple and deep. It invites you to rest in the truth that transformation comes from connection, not striving. As you gaze upon Him, you are being changed into His likeness, from one degree of glory to another.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- beholding as in a mirror,1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- κατοπτριζόμενοι,1×
Key Verses
-
II Corinthians 3:18
But we all, with unveiled face seeing the glory of the Lord as in a mirror, are transformed into the same image from glory to glory, even as from the Lord, the Spirit.
This is the only New Testament occurrence of the word, where Paul defines the spiritual process of believers being transformed into Christ's image by beholding His glory.