κάμπτω

I bend, bow

Definition

The verb κάμπτω means to bend, bow, or curve, often describing a physical act of bending the body, especially in reverence or submission. In the New Testament, it is used both literally and metaphorically. In Romans 11:4, it refers to the physical act of bowing the knee to Baal. In its most theologically significant uses, such as in Romans 14:11 and Philippians 2:10, it describes the universal, future act of every knee bowing in submission and worship to the Lord Jesus Christ. Ephesians 3:14 uses it for Paul's posture of prayer, 'I bow my knees,' indicating humble petition before God.

Biblical Usage

This verb appears four times in the New Testament, always in Paul's letters. It describes three distinct but related actions: idolatrous worship (Romans 11:4), humble prayer (Ephesians 3:14), and the ultimate, universal worship and submission to God and Christ (Romans 14:11, Philippians 2:10). The pattern moves from a negative historical example to a personal devotional act, culminating in a prophetic, cosmic declaration of Christ's lordship.

Etymology

The word κάμπτω is a primary Greek verb meaning 'to bend' or 'to curve.' It is related to the noun κάμπος (kampós), meaning 'a bend' or 'a valley.' Its fundamental sense of physical bending was extended in usage to include the metaphorical bending of the will in submission or reverence.

Semantic Range

This word is theologically significant as it vividly portrays the universal acknowledgment of Christ's sovereignty. In Philippians 2:10, its use in the phrase 'every knee should bow' (from Isaiah 45:23) directly affirms the divinity of Jesus, applying to Him an Old Testament prophecy about Yahweh. It connects the physical posture of bowing with the inward reality of submission and worship, enriching our understanding of what it means to confess Jesus as Lord.

In the Greco-Roman world, bowing the knee (γόνυ κάμπτω) was a profound gesture of reverence, submission, or supplication before a deity or a superior (e.g., emperor, master). It was not merely a polite gesture but a recognized act of homage and acknowledgment of authority. This cultural understanding amplifies the force of the biblical passages, especially the contrast between bowing to an idol (Baal) and bowing to the one true God.

προσκυνέω (proskyneō, G4352) — to worship, prostrate oneself; emphasizes the act of reverence more than the physical posture of bending. κλίνω (klinō, G2827) — to incline, bow, or lay down; can refer to bending the head or body, or causing something to lean.

Word Details

Scripture References