ὑβρίζω (hubrizō)
hubrizō
to mistreat
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 5 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb hubrizō describes treating someone with cruel insolence or shameless disrespect. It goes beyond simple rudeness to imply a violent arrogance that seeks to humiliate another person. In the New Testament, this word appears in only five verses, carrying a heavy weight of moral outrage.
Its usage highlights severe mistreatment by those in power. Jesus warns that the leaders who "insult" his followers will face judgment (Matthew 22:6), and he predicts his own disciples will be "insulted" as part of their suffering (Luke 18:32). Paul also recalls being "insulted" in Thessalonica, framing such abuse as a test of faithful endurance (1 Thessalonians 2:2).
The word stems from hubris, the ancient Greek concept of excessive pride that leads to violence against others. By using this term, the biblical authors connect personal abuse to a deeper spiritual arrogance. It serves as a stark warning against the kind of power that dehumanizes others.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word hubrizō describes a cruelty that goes beyond simple rudeness. It carries the weight of violent arrogance, where those in power seek to humiliate and dehumanize others. In the ancient world, this was not just an insult but a deliberate attack on a person’s dignity. The biblical authors use this heavy term to highlight severe mistreatment by leaders or crowds who feel entitled to crush those beneath them.
Yet Scripture does not leave us in despair when facing such abuse. Jesus warned His followers that they would face this shame, and Paul recalled being treated this way in Philippi. These accounts show that suffering at the hands of arrogant people is part of the Christian experience. Your faithfulness remains intact even when others try to strip away your respect.
This word reminds us that God sees every act of cruel insolence. He does not overlook the shame inflicted on His servants. Instead, He calls us to endure with boldness, knowing that our worth is found in Him, not in the approval of those who seek to hurt us. May you find strength in this truth when facing difficult people.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 5 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- will be insulted1×
- to mistreat1×
- mistreated1×
- having been mistreated1×
- You insult.1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ὕβρισαν1×
- ὑβρίσαι1×
- ὑβρίζεις.¶1×
- ὑβρισθήσεται1×
- ὑβρισθέντες,1×
Key Verses
-
Matthew 22:6
and the rest grabbed his servants, treated them shamefully, and killed them.
This verse shows the word applied to religious leaders who responded to God’s messengers with lethal violence, highlighting the ultimate cost of spiritual arrogance.
-
Luke 18:32
For he will be delivered up to the Gentiles, will be mocked, treated shamefully, and spit on.
Jesus uses this term to predict His own suffering, linking it directly with mocking and spitting to show the depth of humiliation He would endure.
-
I Thessalonians 2:2
but having suffered before and been shamefully treated, as you know, at Philippi, we grew bold in our God to tell you the Good News of God in much conflict.
Paul references past mistreatment at Philippi to explain how such shame did not silence the Gospel but instead fueled bold proclamation amidst conflict.