χείρων (cheirōn)
cheirōn
worse than
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 11 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The Greek word cheirōn is the comparative form of kakos, meaning simply "worse" or "more evil." It appears eleven times in the New Testament, primarily within the Synoptic Gospels. In these texts, it serves as a sharp contrast to something previously described as good or acceptable, highlighting a decline in condition or moral standing.
Jesus uses this term to illustrate spiritual danger. For instance, in Matthew 12:45, he warns that a person driven out by an unclean spirit may return with seven others, making their final state worse than the first. Similarly, Luke 11:26 records this same parable, emphasizing how a vacant heart can be filled with greater evil. The word also appears in John 5:14, where Jesus tells a healed man not to sin anymore, lest something worse happen to him.
This adjective carries significant theological weight regarding the consequences of turning away from God. It is not merely about physical suffering but about moral deterioration. In Hebrews 10:29, it describes the severe punishment for those who insult the Spirit of grace. The term underscores the seriousness of spiritual neglect and the potential for a situation to deteriorate significantly if left unaddressed.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word cheirōn reminds us that spiritual neglect carries real weight. It describes a condition that is genuinely worse than before, whether in moral standing or physical health. Jesus uses this sharp contrast to warn against returning to old patterns after experiencing God’s grace. The danger lies not just in staying still, but in sliding backward into deeper brokenness.
This reality invites us to stay close to Christ. When we turn away from His light, the darkness feels heavier and more confusing. But His warning is also an invitation to remain in the safety of His presence. We are called to guard our hearts, not out of fear, but out of love for the wholeness He offers.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 11 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- worse9×
- worse.1×
- a worse1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- χεῖρον4×
- χείρονα3×
- χεῖρόν1×
- χείρων.1×
- χείρων1×
- χείρονος1×
Key Verses
-
Matthew 12:45
Then he goes and takes with himself seven other spirits more evil than he is, and they enter in and dwell there. The last state of that man becomes worse than the first. Even so will it be also to this evil generation.”
Jesus uses this comparison to show how a vacant heart can become filled with greater evil if not kept in God's presence.
-
John 5:14
Afterward Jesus found him in the temple and said to him, “Behold, you are made well. Sin no more, so that nothing worse happens to you.”
Here the word warns that physical healing without moral change leads to a deeper spiritual decline.
-
Hebrews 10:29
How much worse punishment do you think he will be judged worthy of who has trodden under foot the Son of God, and has counted the blood of the covenant with which he was sanctified an unholy thing, and has insulted the Spirit of grace?
This verse highlights the severe consequence of rejecting the covenant blood after having known its truth.
-
II Peter 2:20
For if, after they have escaped the defilement of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in it and overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the first.
Peter explains that returning to sin after escape makes the final state more difficult than the original bondage.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Greek word cheirōn mean?
How is cheirōn different from kakos?
Where does this word appear in the Bible?
Why does Jesus use this word in His warnings?
Every Occurrence (11 verses across 8 books)
Matthew 3 verses
No one puts a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment; for the patch would tear away from the garment, and a worse…
Matthew 12:45Then he goes and takes with himself seven other spirits more evil than he is, and they enter in and dwell there. The…
Matthew 27:64Command therefore that the tomb be made secure until the third day, lest perhaps his disciples come at night and steal…