Lexical Summary katécheó: To instruct, to teach, to inform Original Word: κατηχέω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance inform, instruct, teach. From kata and echos; to sound down into the ears, i.e. (by implication) to indoctrinate ("catechize") or (genitive case) to apprise of -- inform, instruct, teach. see GREEK kata see GREEK echos HELPS Word-studies 2727 katēxéō (from 2596 /katá, "down, according to," which intensifies 2278 /ēxéō, "to sound") – properly, "sound down," i.e. learn exactly by sounds (meaningful repetition); to learn by nuanced repetition; to catechize, teaching foundational truths as they relate to progressing in the Christian life (cf. 1 Cor 14:19; Gal 6:6). [The prefix kata lends the idea "exactly," indicating how oral instruction skillfully brought a subject from one level to another to reach precise and growing understanding.] NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom kata and écheó Definition to teach by word of mouth NASB Translation instruct (1), instructed (2), taught (2), teaches (1), told (2). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 2727: κατηχέωκατηχέω, κατήχω: 1 aorist κατήχησα; passive, present κατηχοῦμαι; perfect κατήχημαι; 1 aorist κατηχήθην; nowhere met with in the O. T.; very rare in secular authors; 1. properly, to sound toward, sound down upon, resound: ἁρμονία κατηχει τῆς θαλαττης, Philostr., p. 791 (icon. 1, 19); to charm with resounding sound, to fascinate, τινα μύθοις, Lucian, Jup. trag. 39. 2. to teach orally, to instruct: Lucian, asin. § 48; Philopatr. 17. In the N. T. only used by Luke and Paul: τινα, 1 Corinthians 14:19; passive ἐκ τοῦ νόμου, by bearing the law, accustomed to be publicly read in the synagogues, Romans 2:18; with the accusative of the thing, αὐτός σε πολλά κατηχήσω τῶν ἀγνωυμενων, Josephus, de vita sua §65 at the end; with accusative of a thing and of a person, τοῦ ἀληθοῦς λόγου βραχέα κατηχησας με, Clement. hom. 1, 13; passive with the accusative of the thing: τήν ὁδόν τοῦ κυρίου, Acts 18:25; τόν λόγον, Galatians 6:6; hence, some ((see Meyer, in the place cited)) resolve Luke 1:4 thus: περί τῶν λόγων, οὕς κατηχήθης (see below). 3. to inform by word of mouth; passive to be orally informed: followed by ὅτι, Philo de leg. ad Gaium § 30; περί τίνος (the genitive of person), followed by ὅτι, Acts 21:21; with the accusative of the thing, ὧν, κατήχηνται περί σου i. e. τούτων, ἅ κτλ., Acts 21:24 (κατηχηθεις περί τῶν συμβεβηκότων (pseudo-) Plutarch, de fluviis (7, 2); 8, 1; 7, 1). To this construction the majority refer Luke 1:4, construing it thus: τήν ἀσφάλειαν τῶν λόγων, περί ὧν κατηχήθης (Winers Grammar, 165 (156); Buttmann, § 143, 7; (see above)). Cf. Gilbert, Dissertatio de christianae catecheseos historia (Lipsius 1836) Part i., p. 1ff; Zezschwitz, System der christl. Katechetik (Leipz. 1863) i., p. 17ff; (and for ecclesiastical usage, Suicer, Thesaurus 2:69ff; Sophocles' Lexicon, under the word). The verb carries the sense of giving or receiving systematic oral instruction. In Scripture it is used for both formal teaching in the faith and for information—accurate or inaccurate—passed along by word of mouth. Occurrences in the New Testament 1. Luke 1:4 Eight uses altogether supply a concise yet rich portrait of first-century Christian instruction. Instruction grounded in the gospel (Luke 1:4; Acts 18:25) Luke opens his Gospel with the purpose “so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught” (Luke 1:4). Theophilus had already received oral teaching; Luke’s written account confirms its reliability. In Acts 18:25 Apollos “had been instructed in the way of the Lord” and, armed with that catechesis, “spoke with great fervor and taught about Jesus accurately.” The word links the author of Luke–Acts, Apollos, and the early churches in a single chain of trusted apostolic instruction. Mis‐instruction and rumor (Acts 21:21; Acts 21:24) When Paul returns to Jerusalem, church leaders fear the believing Jews who “have been told about you—that you teach all Jews living among the Gentiles to abandon Moses” (Acts 21:21). The same verb describes the false report. Their solution: a public act of law-keeping so that “everyone will know there is no truth to what they have been told about you” (Acts 21:24). Oral teaching, powerful for good, can also mislead if it departs from apostolic truth. Instruction by the Law (Romans 2:18) Paul confronts self-confident Jews who “approve of what is superior because you are instructed by the law.” Mere exposure to divine instruction does not guarantee obedience; knowledge demands response. Edifying speech in the assembly (1 Corinthians 14:19) In the context of tongues and prophecy Paul states, “in the church I would rather speak five coherent words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue.” The goal of public speech is intelligible catechesis that builds up the body. Shared responsibility in the body (Galatians 6:6) “Nevertheless, the one who receives instruction in the word must share in all good things with his instructor.” Here both the learner and the teacher are marked by the same verb, highlighting the two-way stewardship of gospel resources—material and spiritual—within the congregation. Early church practice of catechesis 1. Oral before written. Luke underscores that the churches first heard, then received written confirmation. Historical development The verb gives birth to the English term “catechism.” Post-apostolic writers such as the Didache build upon this New Testament pattern, providing structured question-and-answer manuals for converts. Throughout church history, from the fourth-century catechetical schools to Reformation-era catechisms, the goal remains the same: to root believers in “the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints.” Theological significance 1. Revelation presupposes explanation. God not only acts but also interprets His acts through authorized teachers. Practical ministry applications • Prioritize clear, Bible-saturated teaching in public services and small groups. In every age the church thrives when believers are thoroughly “instructed in the way of the Lord” and when that instruction is guarded, practiced, and passed on to the next generation. Englishman's Concordance Luke 1:4 V-AIP-2SGRK: περὶ ὧν κατηχήθης λόγων τὴν NAS: about the things you have been taught. KJV: wherein thou hast been instructed. INT: concerning which you were instructed of [the] things the Acts 18:25 V-RPM/P-NMS Acts 21:21 V-AIP-3P Acts 21:24 V-RIM/P-3P Romans 2:18 V-PPM/P-NMS 1 Corinthians 14:19 V-ASA-1S Galatians 6:6 V-PPM/P-NMS Galatians 6:6 V-PPA-DMS Strong's Greek 2727 |
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