κακόςkakós
worthless (intrinsically, such; whereas G4190 (πονηρός) properly refers to effects), i.e. (subjectively) depraved, or (objectively) injurious
Greek (New Testament) · G2556
Meanings
1. in general, opposed to ἀγαθός, καλός, in various senses, bad, mean, base, worthless (classical Greek).
2. In ethical sense, base, evil, wicked: of persons, Matthew 21:41, Matthew 24:48, Philippians 3:2, Revelation 2:2; διαλογισμοί, Mark 7:21; ὁμιλίαι, 1 Corinthians 15:33; ἐπιθυμία (Proverbs 12:12), Colossians 3:5; ἔργον, Romans 13:3; neuter, κακόν, τὸ κ., evil: John 18:23, Acts 23:9, Romans 7:21, Romans 14:20, Romans 16:19, 1 Corinthians 13:5, Hebrews 5:14, 1 Peter 3:10, 1 Peter 3:11, 3 John 1:11; plural, Romans 1:30, 1 Corinthians 10:6, 1 Timothy 6:10, James 1:13; κ. (τὸ, τὰ κ.) ποιεῖν (πράσσειν), Matthew 27:23, Mark 15:14, Luke 23:22, John 18:30, Romans 3:8, Romans 7:19, Romans 13:4, 2 Corinthians 13:7, 1 Peter 3:12; κατεργάζεσθαι, Romans 2:9; of wrongs inflicted, Acts 9:13, Romans 12:17, Romans 12:21, Romans 13:10, 1 Thessalonians 5:15, 2 Timothy 4:14, 1 Peter 3:9.
3. pernicious, harmful, evil: Luke 16:25, Acts 16:28, Acts 28:5, Titus 1:12, James 3:8, Revelation 16:2.
Synonyms
see ἄθεσμος.
Same root
- ἥττονhḗtton · G2276worse (as noun); by implication, less (as adverb)
- ἐκκακέωekkakéō · G1573to be (bad or) weak, i.e. (by implication) to fail (in heart)
- κακοήθειαkakoḗtheia · G2550bad character, i.e. (specially) mischievousness
- χείρωνcheírōn · G5501from an obsolete equivalent (of uncertain derivation); more evil or aggravated (physically, mentally or morally)
- κακοῦργοςkakoûrgos · G2557a wrong-doer, i.e. criminal
- κακολογέωkakologéō · G2551to revile
- κακουχέωkakouchéō · G2558to maltreat
- κακοποιόςkakopoiós · G2555a bad-doer; (specially), a criminal
Where it appears
Appears 50 times in the Bible.
- Matthew 21:41 The religious leaders replied, “He will put the wicked men to a horrible death and lease the vineyard to others who will give him his share of the crop after each harvest.”
- Matthew 24:48 But what if the servant is evil and thinks, ‘My master won’t be back for a while,’
- Matthew 27:23 “Why?” Pilate demanded. “What crime has he committed?” But the mob roared even louder, “Crucify him!”
- Mark 7:21 For from within, out of a person’s heart, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder,
- Mark 15:14 “Why?” Pilate demanded. “What crime has he committed?” But the mob roared even louder, “Crucify him!”
- Luke 16:25 “But Abraham said to him, ‘Son, remember that during your lifetime you had everything you wanted, and Lazarus had nothing. So now he is here being comforted, and you are in anguish.
See every passage
- Matthew 21:41, 24:48, 27:23
- Mark 7:21, 15:14
- Luke 16:25, 23:22
- John 18:23, 18:30
- Acts 9:13, 16:28, 23:9, 28:5
- Romans 1:30, 2:9, 3:8, 7:19, 7:21, 12:17, 12:21, 13:3, 13:4, 13:10, 14:20, 16:19
- 1 Corinthians 10:6, 13:5, 15:33
- 2 Corinthians 13:7
- Philippians 3:2
- Colossians 3:5
- 1 Thessalonians 5:15
- 1 Timothy 6:10
- 2 Timothy 4:14
- Titus 1:12
- Hebrews 5:14
- James 1:13, 3:8
- 1 Peter 3:9, 3:10, 3:11, 3:12
- 3 John 1:11
- Revelation 2:2, 16:2
Source: G. Abbott-Smith, A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament (1922), public domain.