Lexical Summary exoutheneó: To despise, to treat with contempt, to regard as nothing. Original Word: ἐξουθενέω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance to despiseA variation of exoudenoo and meaning the same -- contemptible, despise, least esteemed, set at nought. see GREEK exoudenoo HELPS Word-studies 1848 eksouthenéō (from 1537 /ek, "completely out from," which intensifies outheneō, "bring to naught, reduce to nothing") – properly, cast out as nothing; set at nought; "to count as nothing, to treat with utter contempt, i.e. as zero" (WP, 2, 281); "set at nought, despise utterly" (A-S); to regard something as lacking any standing (value). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom exoudeneó Definition to despise, treat with contempt NASB Translation contemptible (1), despise (3), despised (1), no account (1), regard with contempt (1), regard...with contempt (1), rejected (1), treating...with contempt (1), viewed with contempt (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 1848: ἐξουθενέωἐξουθενέω, ἐξουθένω; 1 aorist ἐξουθένησα; passive, perfect participle ἐξουθενημένος; (1 aorist participle ἐξουθενηθείς); (see οὐδείς); to make of no account, to despise utterly: τινα, Luke 18:9; Romans 14:3, 10; 1 Corinthians 16:11; τί, 1 Thessalonians 5:20; Galatians 4:14 (where it is coupled with ἐκπτύω); in passive οἱ ἐξουθενένμενοι, 1 Corinthians 6:4; τά ἐξουθενημένα, 1 Corinthians 1:28 (see ἀγενής); ὁ λόγος ἐξουθενημένος, 2 Corinthians 10:10 (here Lachmann has ἐξουδενημενος); ὁ (λίθος ὁ) ἐξουθενηθείς ὑπό τῶν οἰκοδομούντων, set at nought, i. e. rejected, cast aside, Acts 4:11. To treat with contempt (i. e. accusative to the context, with mockery): Luke 23:11; (for בּוּז, Proverbs 1:7; בָּזָה, Ezekiel 22:8, etc.; מָאַס, 1 Samuel 8:7. Wis. 4:18; 2 Macc. 1:27; the Epistle of Barnabas 7, 9 [ET]; and other ecclesiastical writings). Cf. Lob. ad Phryn., p. 182; (and references under the word ἐξουδενέω, at the end). Topical Lexicon Semantic Range and Emphases Strong’s 1848 expresses an intentional downgrading of worth—“to treat as nothing,” “to look down on,” “to despise.” The verb conveys more than a momentary dislike; it speaks of a settled contempt that dismisses a person, message, or object as insignificant or void of value. The sense can be active (to scorn) or passive (to be scorned). Old Testament Roots and Intertestamental Usage While the exact Greek term is not found in the Hebrew Scriptures, its concept parallels Hebrew ideas of “despising” (bazah) and “treating lightly” (qalal). In the Septuagint, cognate forms often translate passages where covenant-faithlessness expresses itself in scorning the LORD or His servants (for example, 1 Samuel 2:30; 2 Samuel 12:9). By the first century the vocabulary of contempt had become a familiar rhetorical weapon in synagogue debate and Hellenistic polemics, preparing the ground for its poignant New Testament deployment. Distribution in the New Testament The verb appears eleven times, spread across narrative, doctrinal, and pastoral contexts: Luke 18:9 – religious pride that “despised everyone else.” Luke 23:11 – Herod and his soldiers “treated Him with contempt.” Acts 4:11 – the stone “rejected by you the builders.” Romans 14:3, 10 – mutual contempt over disputable matters. 1 Corinthians 1:28 – God chooses “the despised.” 1 Corinthians 6:4 – secular courts viewed as “men of no account.” 1 Corinthians 16:11 – “Let no one despise him” (Timothy). 2 Corinthians 10:10 – Paul’s bodily presence “of no account.” Galatians 4:14 – the Galatians did not scorn Paul despite infirmity. 1 Thessalonians 5:20 – “Do not treat prophecies with contempt.” The occurrences cluster around two focal points: (1) contempt aimed at Christ and His representatives; (2) contempt harbored within the church over secondary issues, appearance, or spiritual gifts. Christological Significance Jesus Christ stands as the chief object of human contempt. Luke 23:11 records that Herod “treated Him with contempt and mocked Him.” Acts 4:11 cites Psalm 118 to declare Him “the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone.” That rejection, foreknown and foretold, becomes the means of salvation. The despised Stone becomes the foundation; the scorn of men magnifies the wisdom of God (1 Corinthians 1:28-29). Pauline Theology of Reversal Paul leverages the word to display divine paradox. “God chose the lowly and despised things of the world” (1 Corinthians 1:28) so no flesh may boast. The kingdom exalts what society belittles, whether weak apostleship (2 Corinthians 10:10), youthful ministry (1 Corinthians 16:11), or marginalized saints (1 Corinthians 6:4). Contempt, therefore, becomes a marker: what the world scoffs at, God delights to employ. Ecclesial Ethics Romans 14 and 1 Thessalonians 5 sharpen the community dimension. Believers must not “despise” fellow Christians over food scruples (Romans 14:3) nor “treat prophecies with contempt” (1 Thessalonians 5:20). The same term that describes the world’s disdain of Christ must never characterize relations within His body. To despise a sibling’s conscience or a Spirit-given utterance undermines unity and quenches grace. Pastoral and Ministry Implications 1. Guard the young and physically unimpressive servants of God. “Let no one despise him” (1 Corinthians 16:11) frames a pastoral charge: assess ministry by faithfulness, not externals. Historical Testimony Early church fathers echoed this theme. Ignatius urged the Magnesians not to “despise” their youthful bishop, drawing language directly from 1 Timothy 4:12 and the sense of 1848. The Apology of Justin Martyr reminds Roman authorities that the Christians they belittle are those who pray for the empire’s welfare—again reversing contempt with sacrificial love. Contemporary Application Modern ministry faces new avenues of disdain—social media mockery, academic scorn, internal factionalism. The verb’s New Testament pattern supplies both warning and encouragement: Summary Strong’s 1848 confronts the heart’s impulse to belittle. Scripture traces contempt from Herod’s palace to church potlucks, exposing its presence in unbelief and immaturity alike. Yet the gospel transforms scorn into honor: the despised Stone becomes the Cornerstone, the despised apostle bears unrivaled revelation, the despised weak brother is welcomed by the Lord. To live under that reversal is to render contempt obsolete, replacing it with reverence for God and esteem for every image-bearer redeemed by Christ. Forms and Transliterations εξουθενείν εξουθενεις εξουθενείς ἐξουθενεῖς εξουθενειτε εξουθενείτε ἐξουθενεῖτε εξουθενειτω ἐξουθενείτω εξουθενηθεις εξουθενηθείς ἐξουθενηθεὶς εξουθενήκασι εξουθενήκασιν εξουθένημα εξουθενημενα εξουθενημένα ἐξουθενημένα εξουθενημενος εξουθενημένος ἐξουθενημένος εξουθενημενους εξουθενημένους ἐξουθενημένους εξουθένησαν εξουθενησας εξουθενήσας ἐξουθενήσας εξουθενησατε ἐξουθενήσατε εξουθενηση ἐξουθενήσῃ εξουθενήσουσιν εξουθενουντας εξουθενούντας ἐξουθενοῦντας εξουθενούντες εξουθενούντές εξουθενούσι exoutheneis exoutheneîs exoutheneite exoutheneîte exoutheneito exoutheneitō exoutheneíto exoutheneítō exouthenemena exoutheneména exouthenēmena exouthenēména exouthenemenos exoutheneménos exouthenēmenos exouthenēménos exouthenemenous exoutheneménous exouthenēmenous exouthenēménous exouthenesas exouthenēsas exouthenḗsas exouthenesate exouthenēsate exouthenḗsate exouthenese exouthenēsē exouthenḗsei exouthenḗsēi exouthenetheis exouthenetheìs exouthenētheis exouthenētheìs exouthenountas exouthenoûntasLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Luke 18:9 V-PPA-AMPGRK: δίκαιοι καὶ ἐξουθενοῦντας τοὺς λοιποὺς NAS: that they were righteous, and viewed others KJV: righteous, and despised others: INT: righteous and despised the others Luke 23:11 V-APA-NMS Acts 4:11 V-APP-NMS Romans 14:3 V-PMA-3S Romans 14:10 V-PIA-2S 1 Corinthians 1:28 V-RPM/P-ANP 1 Corinthians 6:4 V-RPM/P-AMP 1 Corinthians 16:11 V-ASA-3S 2 Corinthians 10:10 V-RPM/P-NMS Galatians 4:14 V-AIA-2P 1 Thessalonians 5:20 V-PMA-2P Strong's Greek 1848 |
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