2631. katakrima

Lexical Summary

katakrima: Condemnation, judgment

Original Word: κατάκριμα
Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter
Transliteration: katakrima
Pronunciation: kä-tä'-krē-mä
Phonetic Spelling: (kat-ak'-ree-mah)
KJV: condemnation
NASB: condemnation
Word Origin: [from G2632 (κατακρίνω - condemn)]

1. an adverse sentence (the verdict)

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

condemnation.

From katakrino; an adverse sentence (the verdict) -- condemnation.

see GREEK katakrino

HELPS Word-studies

Cognate: 2631 katákrima (from 2596 /katá, "down, according to," intensifying 2917 /kríma, "the results of judgment") – properly, the exact sentence of condemnation handed down after due process (establishing guilt). See 2632 (katakrinō).

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from katakrinó
Definition
penalty
NASB Translation
condemnation (3).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 2631: κατάκριμα

κατάκριμα, κατακριματος, τό (κατακρίνω), damnatory sentence, condemnation: Romans 5:16 (on which see κρίμα, 2), Romans 5:18; Romans 8:1. (κατακριματων ἀφέσεις, Dionysius Halicarnassus 6, 61.)

Topical Lexicon

Definition and Scope in Scripture

Strong’s Greek 2631 denotes the judicial verdict of condemnation issued against a guilty party. In the New Testament it describes the divine sentence that rests upon humanity because of sin and, conversely, its removal through union with Jesus Christ. The term appears exclusively in Romans, highlighting Paul’s systematic treatment of humanity’s plight and God’s remedy in the gospel.

Contextual Usage in Romans

1. Romans 5:16 contrasts the single trespass of Adam that resulted in “condemnation” with the many transgressions for which Christ’s gift brings justification.
2. Romans 5:18 presents a sweeping summary: “Just as one trespass resulted in condemnation for all men, so also one act of righteousness resulted in justification and life for all men.”
3. Romans 8:1 declares the climactic assurance: “Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus”.

Contrast Between Adamic Condemnation and Christ’s Justification

• Origin: Condemnation entered through Adam’s disobedience, establishing a universal verdict of guilt (Romans 5:12).
• Extent: It encompasses every descendant of Adam, demonstrating the comprehensive scope of sin’s penalty.
• Remedy: Christ’s obedience unto death satisfies divine justice, replacing condemnation with righteousness for those who believe (Romans 5:19; 2 Corinthians 5:21).
• Outcome: Believers move from a status of judgment to one of acceptance, guaranteeing freedom from future punitive sentence (John 5:24).

Relation to Other Biblical Themes

• Law and Grace: The Mosaic Law exposes sin and confirms the verdict (Romans 7:10). Grace, in Christ, annuls the judicial decree (Colossians 2:14).
• Judgment Seat: While believers are exempt from katakrima, they will still appear before Christ’s bema for reward (2 Corinthians 5:10), underscoring the distinction between condemnation and evaluation.
• Union with Christ: The phrase “in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1) identifies the sphere where condemnation is nullified, linking the doctrine to incorporation into the Messiah’s death and resurrection (Romans 6:3-5).

Historical Interpretation

Early church fathers such as Augustine cited Romans 5 to defend original sin and the necessity of grace. Reformers like Martin Luther and John Calvin emphasized Romans 8:1 to assure believers of irrevocable acceptance, anchoring the doctrine of justification by faith alone.

Pastoral and Devotional Application

• Assurance: Romans 8:1 provides a foundational promise to counter feelings of guilt among believers.
• Evangelism: The universal reach of condemnation (Romans 5:18) underscores the urgency of proclaiming Christ’s atoning work.
• Sanctification: Freedom from judicial guilt motivates holy living, not license (Romans 8:2-4; Titus 2:11-14).

Practical Ministry Implications

1. Counseling: Distinguish between legitimate conviction by the Holy Spirit (John 16:8) and the condemned status removed at conversion.
2. Preaching: Present both the gravity of katakrima and the sufficiency of Christ’s sacrifice, maintaining the balance of justice and mercy.
3. Worship: Incorporate themes of deliverance from condemnation into corporate praise and confession, fostering gratitude for the gospel.

Summary

Strong’s 2631 encapsulates the divine verdict that once loomed over humanity because of Adam’s fall. In Romans, Paul unfolds the transition from universal condemnation to justification and freedom through Jesus Christ. For the believer, katakrima is a past, abolished sentence, replaced by unshakeable acceptance “in Christ Jesus.”

Forms and Transliterations

κατακριμα κατάκριμα katakrima katákrima

Englishman's Concordance

Romans 5:16 N-ANS
GRK: ἑνὸς εἰς κατάκριμα τὸ δὲ
NAS: [transgression] resulting in condemnation, but on the other hand
KJV: one to condemnation, but the free gift
INT: one to condemnation and

Romans 5:18 N-ANS
GRK: ἀνθρώπους εἰς κατάκριμα οὕτως καὶ
NAS: there resulted condemnation to all
KJV: men to condemnation; even so
INT: men to condemnation so also

Romans 8:1 N-NNS
GRK: ἄρα νῦν κατάκριμα τοῖς ἐν
NAS: no condemnation for those
KJV: no condemnation to them which are in
INT: therefore now condemnation to those in

Strong's Greek 2631
3 Occurrences

κατάκριμα — 3 Occ.