Lexical Summary kathos: As, just as, even as, in the same way Original Word: καθώς Strong's Exhaustive Concordance as, just as, even asFrom kata and hos; just (or inasmuch) as, that -- according to, (according, even) as, how, when. see GREEK kata see GREEK hos HELPS Word-studies 2531 kathṓs (an adverb derived from 2596 /katá, "according to" and 5613 /hōs, "as compared to, to the extent of") – properly, "in proportion, to the degree that" (J. Thayer); just as (in direct proportion), corresponding to fully (exactly). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 2531: καθώςκαθώς (i. e. καθ' ὡς), a particle found occasionally in secular authors from Aristotle down for the Attic καθά and καθό, but emphatically censured by Phryn. and the Atticists; cf. Sturz, De dial. Maced. etc., p. 74ff; Lob. ad Phryn., p. 425f; (Winer's Grammar, 26 (25)); 1. according as, just as, even as: in the first member of a comparison, Luke 6:31; 1 John 2:27; followed by οὕτως in the second member (cf. Winer's Grammar, § 53, 5), Luke 11:30; Luke 17:26; John 3:14; 2 Corinthians 1:5; 2 Corinthians 10:7; Colossians 3:13; 1 John 2:6; followed by καί also, John 15:9; John 17:18; John 20:21; 1 John 2:18; 1 John 4:17; 1 Corinthians 15:49; it is annexed to preceding words after the demonstrative οὕτως, Luke 24:24; with οὕτως unexpressed, Matthew 21:6; Matthew 28:6; Mark 16:7; Luke 1:2, 55, 70; Luke 11:1; John 1:23; John 5:23; Acts 10:47 (here L T Tr WH ὡς); 2. according as i. e. in proportion as, in the degree that: Mark 4:33; Acts 7:17 (cf. Meyer at the passage); 3. since, seeing that, agreeably to the fact that (cf. Winer's Grammar, § 53, 8; 448 (417)): John 17:2; Romans 1:28 (yet here others regard καθώς as corresponsive rather than causal or explanatory); 1 Corinthians 1:6; 1 Corinthians 5:7; Ephesians 1:4; Philippians 1:7. 4. it is put for the simple ὡς, a. after verbs of speaking, in indirect discourse, Acts 15:14; it serves to add an epexegesis, 3 John 1:3 (to σου τῇ ἀλήθεια). b. of time, when, after that (cf. Latinut): 2 Macc. 1:31; (Nehemiah 5:6); here many bring in Acts 7:17; but see 2 above. STRONGS NT 2531a: καθώσπερκαθώσπερ (Tr καθώς περ), just as, exactly as: Hebrews 5:4 T Tr WH (also 2 Corinthians 3:18 WH marginal reading). (Himerius, Psellus, Tzetzes) Strong’s 2531 signals correspondence—linking two realities so that one clarifies, measures, or fulfills the other. The term often introduces (1) prophetic fulfillment, (2) paradigms for conduct, or (3) analogies that ground doctrine in God’s own character and acts. Scope of Biblical Usage Appearing 183 times, the word spans every major New Testament corpus: Gospels, Acts, Paul, General Epistles, Hebrews, and Revelation’s Johannine circle (1 John, 2 John, 3 John). Its range demonstrates a unifying thread: Scripture interprets Scripture, revelation mirrors revelation, and redeemed life mirrors divine life. Linking Prophecy and Fulfilment The Synoptic writers frequently employ the term to certify that Jesus’ ministry meets prophetic expectation. The formula binds Old Testament promise to New Covenant realization, fortifying confidence in biblical continuity. Modeling Christ John’s Gospel turns the word into a bridge between Father, Son, and believer: The correspondence is not mere imitation but participation; believers are drawn into Trinitarian life and mission. Defining Love and Forgiveness Paul wields the term to ground ethics in Christ’s redemptive act: Obligation flows from accomplished grace; duty is shaped by gospel reality. Instructing the Church Ecclesial order and ministry reflect apostolic precedent: The term safeguards continuity of doctrine and practice across congregations. Grounding Soteriology Paul cites Scripture “just as it is written” (Romans 1:17, 3:10) to anchor justification and anthropology. Salvation truth is not novel speculation but covenant testament verified by prior revelation. Eschatological Parallels • Luke 17:26–30 – “Just as it was in the days of Noah… just as in the days of Lot… so will it be on the day the Son of Man is revealed.” Historical judgments foreshadow the consummate one, urging watchfulness. Representative Passages Matthew 28:6; John 3:14; John 13:34; Acts 2:4; Romans 15:7; 1 Corinthians 15:49; Ephesians 5:2; 1 Peter 4:10; 1 John 3:3. Each text couples theological truth with corresponding response, forming a mosaic of gospel coherence. Historical Reception Early fathers read the term typologically. Justin Martyr highlighted Isaiah 53 fulfilled “even as” foretold. Irenaeus argued that the church’s life must mirror apostolic pattern “just as” Scripture records, defending orthodoxy against Gnostic innovation. Application for Modern Ministry 1. Preaching: draw lines of continuity—promise to fulfillment, indicative to imperative. In every occurrence, the term presses the reader to see Scripture’s seamless fabric and to embody in life the same divine pattern it proclaims. Englishman's Concordance Matthew 21:6 AdvGRK: καὶ ποιήσαντες καθὼς συνέταξεν αὐτοῖς NAS: and did just as Jesus KJV: and did as Jesus commanded INT: and having done as commanded them Matthew 26:24 Adv Matthew 28:6 Adv Mark 1:2 Adv Mark 4:33 Adv Mark 9:13 Adv Mark 11:6 Adv Mark 14:16 Adv Mark 14:21 Adv Mark 15:8 Adv Mark 16:7 Adv Luke 1:2 Adv Luke 1:55 Adv Luke 1:70 Adv Luke 2:20 Adv Luke 2:23 Adv Luke 5:14 Adv Luke 6:31 Adv Luke 6:36 Adv Luke 11:1 Adv Luke 11:30 Adv Luke 17:26 Adv Luke 17:28 Adv Luke 19:32 Adv Luke 22:13 Adv Strong's Greek 2531 |
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