κατάκρισις

the act of condemnation

Definition

Kατάκρισις (katakrisis) refers to the act or state of being condemned, specifically a judicial pronouncement of guilt and the resulting sentence. In the New Testament, it consistently denotes the definitive condemnation under God's law, as seen in 2 Corinthians 3:9 where it is contrasted with 'the ministry of righteousness.' It is not merely criticism but a final, legal verdict. The word emphasizes the decisive outcome of judgment, carrying the full weight of a negative verdict.

Biblical Usage

This word is used only twice in the New Testament, both times in 2 Corinthians by the Apostle Paul. In 2 Corinthians 3:9, Paul uses it to describe the 'ministry of condemnation' associated with the old covenant, contrasting it with the greater glory of the new covenant ministry of the Spirit. In 2 Corinthians 7:3, Paul assures the Corinthians he does not say this to 'condemn' them, using it in a relational context to mean a pronouncement of fault. Its usage is tied to legal judgment and interpersonal censure.

Etymology

Derived from the verb κατακρίνω (katakrinō, G2632), meaning 'to judge against, condemn.' It is a compound of κατά (kata), meaning 'down, against,' and the root κρίσις (krisis), meaning 'judgment.' Thus, κατάκρισις literally means 'a judgment against,' intensifying the sense of a decisive, negative verdict. It is the noun form expressing the result or action of the verb.

Semantic Range

This word is theologically significant as it directly relates to the concepts of divine law, guilt, and justification. In 2 Corinthians 3:9, it is central to Paul's contrast between the old covenant, which reveals sin and pronounces condemnation, and the new covenant in Christ, which brings righteousness and life. Understanding κατάκρισις enriches the reading of passages about salvation by highlighting what believers are saved from—the final, legal sentence of God against sin—through the work of Christ, who bore our condemnation (Romans 8:1).

In the Greco-Roman world, the term carried a strong legal connotation from the courtroom. It implied an official, authoritative verdict from a judge, not just personal disapproval. This cultural understanding underscores the seriousness of the term in Paul's letters; condemnation from God is not a casual opinion but a definitive judicial sentence under His law.

κρίσις (krisis, G2920) — a more general term for judgment or decision, not necessarily negative. κρίμα (krima, G2917) — the result or sentence of a judgment, often a condemnatory decree. καταδίκη (katadikē, G2601) — a very close synonym meaning condemnation or punishment, used in extra-biblical Greek.

Word Details

Scripture References