κακός

bad, evil

Definition

The adjective κακός describes something that is 'bad' or 'evil' in a broad sense, encompassing moral wickedness, harmfulness, and poor quality. It can refer to morally evil actions or character, as seen in the list of vices that come from the human heart (Mark 7:21). It also describes something that causes harm or is injurious, such as the 'bad' fruit from a bad tree in Jesus' teaching (Matthew 7:17-18). In some contexts, it simply means 'poor' or 'unsatisfactory,' like the 'bad' fish separated from the good in the parable (Matthew 13:48).

Biblical Usage

Κακός is used throughout the New Testament in various contexts. It frequently appears in ethical teachings, contrasting good and evil (e.g., Romans 12:17, 1 Thessalonians 5:15). It describes evil thoughts and actions (Mark 7:21), evil servants (Matthew 24:48), and evil reports (John 18:23). In the Gospels, it is notably used by the crowds and Pilate regarding Jesus, with them asking for Barabbas and shouting 'Let him be crucified!' despite Pilate finding 'no evil' in him (Matthew 27:23, Luke 23:22).

Etymology

Derived from the ancient Greek κακός, its ultimate origin is uncertain but may be connected to ideas of defilement or worthlessness. It is a fundamental and common adjective for 'bad' in Greek, forming the root for words like κακία (kakia, G2549 - 'malice, wickedness') and κακοῦργος (kakourgos, G2557 - 'evildoer').

Semantic Range

Κακός is a key term in the biblical understanding of evil, contrasting with God's inherent goodness. It underscores the fallen nature of humanity and the world, highlighting the moral conflict between following God and yielding to sin. Understanding its range—from simple 'bad quality' to profound 'moral evil'—enriches readings of passages on human nature, temptation, and the call to overcome evil with good (Romans 12:21).

In the Greco-Roman world, κακός could carry connotations of cowardice, social inferiority, or being 'base' in character, extending beyond just moral wrong. This broader social and ethical nuance informs its use in the New Testament, where it often critiques behavior that fails to meet God's standards for human flourishing and community.

πονηρός (ponēros, G4190) — often emphasizes active evil, maliciousness, or wickedness with a harmful intent. φαῦλος (phaulos, G5337) — tends to mean 'worthless,' 'base,' or morally 'bad' in a lighter or more trivial sense.

Word Details

Scripture References