Lexical Summary kataginóskó: To condemn, to blame, to find fault with Original Word: καταγινώσκω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance blame, condemn. From kata and ginosko; to note against, i.e. Find fault with -- blame, condemn. see GREEK kata see GREEK ginosko HELPS Word-studies 2607 kataginṓskō (from 2596 /katá, "according to, down to," intensifying 1097 /ginṓskō, "know experientially") – properly, to find as decisively guilty and on the basis of direct, personal acquaintance; specifically condemn by having a first-hand awareness of the facts; to charge as guilty with specific (pointed) facts. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom kata and ginóskó Definition to blame NASB Translation condemn (1), condemned (1), condemns (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 2607: καταγινώσκωκαταγινώσκω; perfect passive participle κατεγνωσμένος; to find fault with, blame: κατεγνωσμένος ἦν, he had incurred the censure of the Gentile Christians; Luther rightly,es war Klage über ihn kommen (i. e. a charge had been laid against him; but others he stood condemned, see Meyer or Ellicott, in the place cited; cf. Alexander Buttmann (1873) § 134, 4, 8), Galatians 2:11; to accuse, condemn: τίνος, any one, 1 John 3:20f, with which cf. Sir. 14:2 μακάριος, οὗ οὐ κατέγνω ἡ ψυχή αὐτοῦ. (In these and other significance in Greek writings from (Aeschylus and) Herodotus down; (see Ellicott as above).) Topical Lexicon Overview Strong’s Greek 2607 portrays an act of moral indictment: the mind or community “knows something against” a person and therefore finds fault. Unlike a legal sentence pronounced by a judge, the focus is the inner or communal recognition that conduct has fallen short of God’s standard. The verb can address an accusing conscience (1 John) or the censure of fellow believers (Galatians). New Testament Occurrences • 1 John 3:20 – “If our hearts condemn us, God is greater than our hearts, and He knows all things.” Literary Context and Emphases 1. 1 John 3:19-21 – John weaves personal assurance and self-examination. When believers waver because the “heart condemns,” the corrective is twofold: The verb therefore frames the oscillation between guilt and assurance within the covenant family. 2. Galatians 2:11 – Paul recounts a crisis in Antioch where Peter’s withdrawal from Gentile tables compromised the gospel of justification by faith. Paul’s statement “he stood condemned” signals a widely recognized inconsistency, not merely Paul’s private opinion. The verb underscores that gospel-deviating behavior invites censure from the whole body, even when the offender is an apostle. Old Testament and Second-Temple Background Although καταγινώσκω is rare in the Septuagint, the idea permeates covenantal life. Prophets confront Israel with sins already revealed by the Law; “your own lips testify against you” (cf. Job 15:6). Jewish wisdom literature develops the role of conscience, preparing the soil for John’s pastoral use. Theological Dimensions • Conscience and Assurance – Scripture never treats inner feelings as ultimate; divine verdict eclipses human self-evaluation (Romans 8:1, 33-34). John’s pairing of condemnation and confidence teaches believers to align heart-assessment with revealed truth, not with fluctuating emotion. • Ecclesial Accountability – Galatians 2:11 shows that public conduct endangering gospel clarity warrants public rebuke. The Church exercises loving discipline to recover erring members and protect doctrinal integrity (Matthew 18:15-17; 1 Timothy 5:20). • Justification and Sanctification – The verb exposes practical deviations from the standing righteousness granted in Christ. Where self-reproach or communal censure arises, the answer is not self-atonement but renewed faith-obedience (1 John 1:9). Relation to Other Biblical Terms • κατακρίνω (katakrinō, “condemn legally”) – stresses judicial sentencing; 2607 highlights moral blame prior to formal judgment. Historical Reception Early fathers like Chrysostom cite Galatians 2:11 to affirm that no church leader is above correction by Scripture. Medieval commentators saw in 1 John a remedy for scrupulosity, encouraging believers to rest in God’s omniscient grace. Reformers appealed to both passages to balance sola fide with ongoing repentance. Pastoral and Practical Implications 1. Cultivating a Tender Conscience 2. Practicing Loving Confrontation 3. Nurturing Gospel Confidence Doctrinal Synthesis Strong’s 2607 threads together conscience, community, and Christ’s sufficiency. It warns against two extremes: paralyzing self-condemnation and careless presumption. By locating the decisive verdict in God’s omniscient grace and in the finished work of Christ, Scripture empowers believers to walk in humility, accountability, and bold assurance. Forms and Transliterations καταγινωσκη καταγινώσκη καταγινώσκῃ καταγνώσεται καταγνώσι κατεγνωσμενος κατεγνωσμένος kataginoske kataginōskē kataginṓskei kataginṓskēi kategnosmenos kategnosménos kategnōsmenos kategnōsménosLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Galatians 2:11 V-RPM/P-NMSGRK: ἀντέστην ὅτι κατεγνωσμένος ἦν NAS: because he stood condemned. KJV: because he was to be blamed. INT: I opposed because to be condemned he was 1 John 3:20 V-PSA-3S 1 John 3:21 V-PSA-3S Strong's Greek 2607 |
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