καταχράομαι (G2710) — Greek Lexicon

καταχράομαι

katachráomai

G2710 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To make use of something excessively or improperly; specifically, to use something or someone beyond what is required or permitted, with implications of misuse or exploitation. In varying contexts, it may describe overindulgence, taking undue advantage, or employing something in a way contrary to its intended or appropriate purpose.

Semantic Range

to use excessively, to misuse, to abuse, to take undue advantage, to exploit, to overindulge in the use of

Root / Etymology

Compound of the preposition κατά (intensive or 'according to, down') and the verb χράομαι ('to use, to make use of, to deal with'). The prepositional prefix intensifies or modifies the sense of usage, adding a nuance of excess or impropriety.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, καταχράομαι is attested with the meaning 'to use to excess, to misuse, to abuse' both in physical and metaphorical senses. In Hellenistic and Koine Greek, it retains the core nuance of immoderate, improper, or exploitative use. In the New Testament (e.g., 1 Corinthians 7:31; 9:18), the term describes the use of things in the present world, emphasizing not making excessive or abusive use of them. The notion of 'abuse' in traditional English translations can obscure the nuance that the term includes both literal and figurative senses of overuse or inappropriate use, not necessarily physical misuse. καταχράομαι requires an object, typically expressed in the genitive, indicating the thing or person being overused or misused. The term is rare, and related forms include χράομαι ('to use'), διαχράομαι ('to spend freely, consume'), making καταχράομαι the most emphatic regarding excess or violation in use.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from κατά and χράομαι; to overuse, i.e. misuse:--abuse.

Root Family

καταχράομαι (katachraomai) — to use, to employ, to misuse, to exploit

Root χρα- to use, to employ

Word Forms

2 distinct forms

SIDANCE	Surface	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2	Occurrences
`G2710-02`	καταχρώμενοι	katachromenoi	`V PRS MID PTCP NOM M PL`	abusing	misusing	misusing	1
`G2710-01`	καταχρήσασθαι	katachresasthai	`V AOR MID INF`	use	to misuse for oneself	to misuse for oneself	1

Occurrences in Scripture

2 occurrences

Filter by SIDANCE:

SIDANCE	Reference	Word	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2
`G2710-02`	1 Corinthians 7:31	καταχρώμενοι	katachromenoi	`V PRS MID PTCP NOM M PL`	abusing	misusing	misusing
`G2710-01`	1 Corinthians 9:18	καταχρήσασθαι	katachresasthai	`V AOR MID INF`	use	to misuse for oneself	to misuse for oneself

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