κήρυγμα (kērugma)
kērugma
preaching
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 8 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun kērugma refers to a formal proclamation or public announcement, originally carried out by a herald in ancient society. In the New Testament, it shifts focus from the act of shouting to the specific content being declared. It represents the core message itself rather than the mere activity of preaching, emphasizing the weight and authority of what is communicated.
This term appears in key passages where the substance of the gospel is central, such as when Paul describes his preaching in 1 Corinthians 2:4 or when he notes that the message was proclaimed in Titus 1:3. The sources highlight its use for the "message of Christ" (Romans 16:25) and the "proclamation of Jonah" (Matthew 12:41), showing it applies to both divine revelation and historical witness.
Its theological significance lies in its connection to the role of the herald. Unlike casual conversation, kērugma implies a commissioned report from an authority figure. Translators often render it as "preaching" or "proclamation," but the Greek sense retains the idea of a public declaration that demands attention and response from those who hear it.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word kērugma points to more than just the act of speaking; it highlights the weight and authority of the message itself. In ancient times, a herald did not share personal opinions but delivered a commissioned report from a ruler. Similarly, the gospel is not merely human advice but a divine announcement that demands attention. When Paul writes about his preaching in 1 Corinthians 2:4, he emphasizes that this message relies on the Spirit’s power rather than clever rhetoric.
This understanding brings comfort to your faith journey. The effectiveness of the proclamation does not depend on your eloquence or ability to persuade, but on the truth of what is declared. Whether it was Jonah’s warning to Nineveh or Paul’s testimony to the Gentiles, the core content remains the same: God’s saving work in Christ. You can trust that this message carries its own power to transform lives.
As you engage with Scripture, remember that you are hearing a formal declaration from God. It is an invitation to respond to the reality of Jesus’ resurrection and lordship. This assurance allows us to rest in the fact that the Word itself accomplishes what it says, inviting us into a relationship built on divine truth rather than human effort.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 8 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- preaching5×
- proclamation2×
- [the] proclamation1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- κήρυγμα5×
- κήρυγμά1×
- κηρύγματος1×
- κηρύγματι,1×
Key Verses
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I Corinthians 15:14
If Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith also is in vain.
This verse ties the very existence of the Christian faith to the content of the proclamation, showing that if the core message is false, the entire belief system collapses.
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I Corinthians 2:4
My speech and my preaching were not in persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power,
Paul uses this term here to distinguish the divine power of the gospel message from mere human wisdom or persuasive speech.
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Matthew 12:41
The men of Nineveh will stand up in the judgment with this generation and will condemn it, for they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and behold, someone greater than Jonah is here.
The repentance of Nineveh demonstrates that the authority of the proclamation, even from a prophet like Jonah, carries enough weight to change hearts.