Lexical Summary katorthóma: Accomplishment, success, achievement Original Word: κατορθώμα Strong's Exhaustive Concordance very worthy deed, public reformFrom a compound of kata and a derivative of orthos (compare diorthosis); something made fully upright, i.e. (figuratively) rectification (specially, good public administration) -- very worthy deed. see GREEK kata see GREEK orthos see GREEK diorthosis NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originvariant reading for diorthóma, q.v. Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 2735: κατόρθωμακατόρθωμα, κατορθωματος, τό (κατορθόω to make upright, erect), a right action, a successful achievement: plural of wholesome public measures or institutions, Acts 24:2 (3) (R G; see διόρθωμα); (3Macc. 3:23; Polybius, Diodorus, Strabo, Josephus, Plutarch, Lucian). Cf. Lob. ad Phryn., p. 251; (Winer's 25). Topical Lexicon Conceptual Overview While κατορθώμα (katorthōma) never appears in the Greek New Testament, classical writers used the term for a deed that is successfully brought to its intended goal—an exploit that turns out “right.” Scripture repeatedly affirms that genuine success is inseparably tied to the will and enabling of God; therefore the biblical idea behind κατορθώμα centers on God-given accomplishment achieved through righteous means rather than mere human prowess or fortune. Occurrences and Literary Background In pre-Christian Greek literature the noun denotes notable victories, civic reforms, or personal feats that earned honor. Military historians such as Polybius used it for strategic successes, and philosophers such as Aristotle applied it to moral actions brought to their proper conclusion. That background accents three features: intentional effort, moral uprightness, and completed achievement. Although the word itself is absent from the canonical Greek Scriptures, the Septuagint vocabulary of εὐοδόω (“make prosperous”) and κατορθόω (“set right, accomplish”) overlaps its semantic domain, creating an important bridge to Old Testament theology of success. Old Testament Parallels and Principles 1. Divine Presence as the Ground of Success Yahweh’s presence, not ingenuity, secures the κατορθώμα of His servants. 2. Obedience and Covenant Faithfulness Success is covenantal, conditioned on wholehearted adherence to God’s word. 3. Dependence, Not Self-Reliance Strategic preparation is necessary, yet ultimate κατορθώμα remains God’s prerogative. 4. Corporate Dimension National deliverance, reforms, and building projects all unfold as communal κατορθώματα granted by God. Christological Fulfillment The climactic κατορθώμα in redemptive history is the finished work of Jesus Christ. At the cross and empty tomb the perfect accomplishment envisioned in the Old Testament reaches its goal, forever redefining true success as obedience unto God and victory over sin and death. New Covenant Implications 1. Believers Share in Christ’s Triumph Spiritual κατορθώματα are experienced as union with Christ’s once-for-all accomplishment. 2. Ongoing Sanctification Each progressive victory over sin is a divinely enabled “accomplishment” flowing from the completed work of Christ. 3. Ministry Effectiveness Service that bears lasting fruit is a present-tense κατορθώμα displaying the power of the gospel. Pastoral and Practical Applications • Measure success by faithfulness and conformity to God’s revealed will rather than cultural metrics. Homiletical Insights The preacher may contrast worldly triumphs with biblical κατορθώματα, asking, “Whose success account are we living?” Drawing from Joseph, David, and, supremely, Christ, sermons can articulate a theology of success that births courage (Joshua 1:7), humility (James 4:15), and perseverance (Galatians 6:9). Conclusion Κατόρθωμα encapsulates the idea of right, divinely sanctioned achievement. Though the term itself waits outside the New Testament text, its theological aroma pervades Scripture from Genesis through Revelation: the Lord initiates, empowers, and completes every genuine success, culminating in the decisive victory of Jesus Christ and continuing in the Spirit-empowered exploits of His people until the consummation of all things. Forms and Transliterations κατορθωμάτων κατόρθωσις κατορυγώσιν κατορύξουσιν κατοχεύσεις κατόχιμοι κάτοχοι κατώρυξα κατώρυξαν κατωρχήσαντοLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance κατοικεῖτε — 1 Occ.κατοικῶν — 1 Occ. κατοικοῦντας — 9 Occ. κατοικοῦντες — 9 Occ. κατοικοῦντι — 1 Occ. κατοικούντων — 2 Occ. κατοικοῦσιν — 5 Occ. κατοίκησιν — 1 Occ. κατοικητήριον — 2 Occ. κατοικίας — 1 Occ. κάτω — 9 Occ. κατωτέρω — 1 Occ. κατώτερα — 1 Occ. καῦμα — 2 Occ. ἐκαυματίσθη — 2 Occ. ἐκαυματίσθησαν — 1 Occ. καυματίσαι — 1 Occ. καῦσιν — 1 Occ. καυσούμενα — 2 Occ. Καύσων — 1 Occ. |
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