καυσόω (kausoō)
kausoō
to burn
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb kausoō describes a state of intense, consuming heat, specifically referring to burning up or being parched by fever. Its root relates to "kausos," an ancient medical term for a high, lingering fever, which gives the word a visceral sense of physical distress and dryness rather than just general fire. In the New Testament, it appears only twice, both in the second letter of Peter, where it depicts the cosmic dissolution at the end of the age.
While often translated simply as "burn," the context in 2 Peter 3:10 and 3:12 emphasizes a thorough, destructive heat that leaves nothing behind. The sources note its rare usage outside medical texts, highlighting how Peter chose this specific term to convey the severity of the final judgment. It is not merely a light scorching but a complete consumption by fire, underscoring the absolute certainty and power of God's cleansing work.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word kausoō carries a heavy weight in Scripture, describing not just fire, but an intense, consuming heat that leaves nothing behind. In 2 Peter, this term paints a picture of the final dissolution of the current order, where even the heavens and elements are melted by fervent heat. It is a stark reminder that God’s judgment is thorough and absolute, stripping away everything that does not endure.
Yet for the believer, this truth is not meant to inspire fear alone, but hope. Because the present world will pass away with such intensity, we are invited to look forward to the new heavens and earth where righteousness dwells. This certainty anchors our faith, reminding us that what matters most—our relationship with Christ and the work of grace in our lives—is eternal.
When we face trials or uncertainty, we can rest in the knowledge that God’s purposes will prevail. The same power that dissolves the old creation is at work to make all things new. We do not need to cling tightly to temporary comforts, for our hope is secured in the unshakable kingdom of God.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- burning with heat2×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- καυσούμενα2×
Key Verses
-
II Peter 3:10
But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will be dissolved with fervent heat; and the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up.
This verse uses kausoō to describe how the earth and its works will be completely burned up, emphasizing the total nature of divine judgment.
-
II Peter 3:12
looking for and earnestly desiring the coming of the day of God, which will cause the burning heavens to be dissolved, and the elements will melt with fervent heat?
Here the word highlights the melting of the elements by fervent heat, showing that the current order is passing away to make room for the new.