κρίμα (krima)
krima
judgment
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 28 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun krima refers to the formal decision or sentence issued at the end of a judicial process. It is not merely the act of judging, but the concrete outcome: the verdict passed on faults and the resulting penalty. In secular Greek documents from the third century BC, it appears in legal contexts where officials are required to issue binding decisions regarding taxes, showing its roots in official civic procedure.
In Scripture, this forensic weight remains central. Jesus warns that those who teach others will face a stricter judgment (Matthew 7:2), while Paul describes how God’s patience allows people to store up condemnation for themselves (Romans 2:3). The word often carries the sense of divine retribution, as seen when Revelation declares that God has judged the great prostitute (Revelation 18:20). It can also denote a legal dispute itself, such as Paul’s shock that believers would take each other to court instead of resolving matters within the church (1 Corinthians 6:7).
Translators render krima variously as "judgment," "condemnation," or "damnation" depending on context. The term bridges the gap between human legal disputes and God’s ultimate authority, appearing in passages about eternal judgment (Hebrews 6:2) and the final reckoning of history.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word krima points to the final verdict in a courtroom setting. It is not just the act of judging, but the binding decision that follows. In our daily lives, we often fear this outcome, worrying about being found lacking or facing consequences for our actions. This term reminds us that every choice carries weight and that accountability is real.
Yet there is hope in how God handles judgment. While Romans 2:3 warns that those who judge others while doing the same face condemnation, Scripture also shows that Jesus came to offer a way out of this strict reckoning. He invites us to trust in His grace rather than our own performance. This shifts our focus from fear of punishment to gratitude for mercy.
When we encounter disputes or feel the pressure of moral failure, krima calls us to humility. It encourages us to resolve conflicts within the community and to seek forgiveness before standing before God. By acknowledging our need for His justice and mercy, we find peace that surpasses our understanding.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 28 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- judgment15×
- judgment.2×
- [the] judgment2×
- verdict1×
- punishment1×
- lawsuits1×
- judgments1×
- judgment [was]1×
- condemnation.1×
- condemnation,1×
- condemnation1×
- about judgment1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- κρίμα17×
- κρίματος2×
- κρίματι2×
- κρίματα2×
- κρίμα.¶2×
- κρίμα,2×
- κρίμα.1×
Key Verses
-
Romans 2:3
Do you think this, O man who judges those who practice such things, and do the same, that you will escape the judgment of God?
This verse highlights the danger of hypocrisy, showing that krima applies to those who judge others while ignoring their own faults.
-
Hebrews 6:2
of the teaching of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.
This occurrence places krima among core doctrines like resurrection, indicating it is a fundamental aspect of eternal reality rather than just a temporary event.