Lexical Summary katoptrizó: To reflect, to behold as in a mirror Original Word: κατοπτρίζω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance behold as in a mirror Middle voice from a compound of kata and a derivative of optanomai (compare esoptron); to mirror oneself, i.e. To see reflected (figuratively) -- behold as in a glass. see GREEK kata see GREEK optanomai see GREEK esoptron NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom katoptron (a mirror) Definition to reflect as a mirror NASB Translation beholding as in a mirror (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 2734: κατοπτρίζωκατοπτρίζω: (κάτοπτρον a mirror), to show in a mirror, to make to reflect, to mirror: κατοπτριζων ὁ ἥλιος τήν ἰριν, Plutarch, mor., p. 894 f. (i. e. de plac. philos. 3, 5, 11). Middle present κατοπτρίζομαι; to look at oneself in a mirror (Artemidorus Daldianus, oneir. 2, 7; Athen. 15, p. 687 c.; (Diogenes Laërtius 2, 33; (7, 17)); to behold for oneself as in a mirror (Winers Grammar, 254 (238); Buttmann, 193f (167)): τήν δόξαν τοῦ κυρίου, the glory of Christ (which we behold in the gospel as in a mirror from which it is reflected), 2 Corinthians 3:18. Plainly so in Philo, alleg. leg. iii., § 33 μηδέ κατοπτρισαιμην ἐν ἄλλῳ τίνι Topical Lexicon Meaning and Imagery The verb denotes the action of looking into, and thereby reflecting, a mirror. The idea combines receptive contemplation and responsive radiation. The spectator does not merely gaze; the spectator becomes a living mirror, receiving and giving back the glory viewed. Thus it captures both beholding and displaying. Biblical Occurrence: 2 Corinthians 3:18 “And we all, who with unveiled faces reflect the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into His image with intensifying glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit” (2 Corinthians 3:18). Paul contrasts the veiled face of Moses in Exodus 34:29-35 with the unveiled faces of New-Covenant believers. Under the Old Covenant the people could not endure the radiance of divine glory, so Moses veiled himself. Under the New, the veil is removed through Christ (2 Corinthians 3:14-16). Believers now gaze without obstruction and simultaneously serve as mirrors that broadcast what they behold. The single occurrence of the verb heightens its force: this is uniquely Christian seeing—Spirit-enabled, transformative, and communal (“we all”). Connection to the Exodus Narrative Exodus 34 records Moses descending Sinai with a luminous face. The glory frightened Israel, necessitating a veil. Paul takes that historic episode and shows its provisional nature. The greater ministry of the Spirit surpasses the ministry of stone tablets (2 Corinthians 3:7-11). By using the mirror-imagery verb, Paul moves the reader from a glory that fades to a glory that multiplies. Instead of a lone mediator, every believer mirrors the presence of God. Transformation into Christ’s Image The action of reflecting produces metamorphosis: “are being transformed into His image with intensifying glory.” Parallel texts deepen the concept: The verb therefore anchors the biblical doctrine of sanctification. The more clearly Christ is seen, the more clearly Christ is shown. Sight and likeness advance together. Implications for Worship and Spiritual Formation 1. Unveiled Access: Corporate worship is portrayed as the sphere where believers behold God’s glory in the face of Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 4:6). Historical and Patristic Insights Early Christian writers drew on this image: Practical Ministry Applications Preaching: Expository preaching should aim to display Christ so that hearers may behold and be changed. Discipleship: Mentoring relationships function as living mirrors; mature believers model the reflected glory of obedience, encouraging imitation (1 Corinthians 11:1). Missions: As reflected light travels, so the gospel radiates to the nations (2 Corinthians 4:1-7). Pastoral Counseling: Growth is framed not merely as behavior modification but as vision correction—helping believers see Christ more clearly. Related Scriptural Motifs • Mirrors in James 1:23-25: Scripture as a mirror exposing one’s true condition. Summary The solitary New-Testament use of Strong’s Greek 2734 captures the essence of New-Covenant life: believers, with nothing obstructing their view, gaze upon the splendor of the Lord and simultaneously become instruments that project that splendor into a dark world. The church, therefore, is a community of mirrors—ever beholding, ever reflecting, ever being transformed until the day when reflection gives way to direct sight. Forms and Transliterations κατοπτριζομενοι κατοπτριζόμενοι κατόπτρων κατορθοί κατορθούντων κατορθούσι κατορθών κατορθώσαι κατορθώσατε κατόρθωσε κατορθώσει κατορθώσεις κατορθώση κατορθώσω κατωρθούμην κατωρθώθη κατώρθωσε katoptrizomenoi katoptrizómenoiLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |
    |