### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek lemma ἐξουθενέω (exouthenéō, `{{G1848}}`) is a powerful verb derived from ἐκ (ek, "out of") and οὐδείς (oudeis, "no one" or "nothing"). As indicated in its base definition, it is a variation of ἐξουδενόω (exoudenóō, `{{G1847}}`) and carries the same fundamental meaning. Literally, it signifies "to make out of nothing," or "to reduce to nothing."
Semantically, its range extends to:
* **To treat as nothing:** To consider utterly worthless or insignificant.
* **To despise:** To look down upon with scorn, disdain, or contempt.
* **To set at naught:** To reject, disregard, or make of no account.
* **To hold in contempt:** To view with extreme disrespect, often implying a sense of superiority over the object of contempt.
The prefix ἐκ intensifies the action, suggesting a complete and thorough dismissal or devaluation. It's not merely a passive disregard but an active, often scornful, act of rendering something or someone as valueless.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term exouthenéō appears twelve times in the New Testament, offering profound insights into human pride, divine wisdom, and the suffering of Christ.
* **Luke 18:9:** In the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector, Jesus describes the Pharisee as one "who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others." Here, exouthenéō highlights the Pharisee's arrogant contempt for the tax collector, illustrating self-righteousness as a spiritual flaw that leads to despising one's neighbor.
* **Luke 23:11:** Regarding Jesus' trial, it is recorded that "Herod, with his soldiers, treated him with contempt and mocked him." This verse underscores the profound humiliation and rejection Christ endured, being made "nothing" in the eyes of worldly power.
* **Acts 4:11:** Peter, preaching about Jesus, declares, "This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone." The "rejection" here uses exouthenéō, emphasizing that the very ones responsible for building the spiritual house treated Jesus as utterly worthless, yet God exalted Him. This echoes [[Psalm 118:22]].
* **Romans 14:3, 10:** Paul addresses disputes within the Roman church concerning dietary laws and special days. He warns, "Let not the one who eats despise the one who abstains... Why do you pass judgment on your brother? Or why do you despise your brother?" This usage powerfully condemns the act of despising fellow believers over matters of conscience, stressing that all stand before God's judgment seat and should not judge or despise one another.
* **1 Corinthians 1:28:** Paul proclaims God's counter-intuitive wisdom: "God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are." Here, exouthenéō describes the world's view of those whom God chooses – the humble, the weak, the seemingly insignificant – demonstrating God's deliberate use of the "despised" to shame the wise and powerful.
* **1 Corinthians 6:4:** In a rhetorical question concerning believers taking disputes to pagan courts, Paul asks, "If then you have judgments about things pertaining to this life, do you appoint those who are least esteemed in the church to judge?" The phrase "least esteemed" (literally, "those who are despised") challenges the Corinthians' values, suggesting they should trust even the "despised" among themselves over outsiders.
* **2 Corinthians 10:10:** Paul recounts his opponents' criticisms: "His letters are weighty and strong, but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech of no account." Here, exouthenéō reflects how Paul himself was subjected to contempt and dismissal based on his physical appearance and speaking ability, mirroring the world's judgment of Christ and His servants.
* **Galatians 4:14:** Paul reminds the Galatians, "though my condition was a trial to you, you did not scorn or despise me, but received me as an angel of God, as Christ Jesus." This verse highlights a positive example where the Galatians did not treat Paul with contempt despite his physical infirmity, demonstrating genuine love and respect.
* **1 Thessalonians 5:20:** Paul instructs, "Do not despise prophecies." This crucial warning emphasizes the importance of valuing and discerning spiritual gifts, rather than dismissing or scorning them out of hand.
### Related Words & Concepts
* **Synonyms/Closely Related:**
* ἐξουδενόω (exoudenóō, `{{G1847}}`): The direct synonym, meaning to treat as nothing.
* ἀτιμάζω (atimazō, `{{G818}}`): To dishonor, treat with contempt or indignity. While similar, exouthenéō often implies a more complete reduction to worthlessness.
* καταφρονέω (kataphroneō, `{{G2706}}`): To look down on, despise, disdain, often implying a sense of superiority.
* **Antonyms/Opposites:**
* τιμάω (timaō, `{{G5091}}`): To honor, value, esteem.
* δέχομαι (dechomai, `{{G1209}}`): To receive, accept, welcome.
* ἐκλέγομαι (eklegomai, `{{G1586}}`): To choose, select, implying a recognition of worth and purpose.
* **Theological Concepts:** Humility, pride, judgment, divine election, the wisdom of God, the suffering of Christ, the unity of the body of Christ, the value of the seemingly insignificant.
### Theological Significance
The term exouthenéō carries profound theological significance, revealing key aspects of God's character, His redemptive plan, and the nature of Christian living.
1. **The Humiliation and Exaltation of Christ:** Christ Himself was the supreme object of exouthenéō (e.g., [[Luke 23:11]], [[Acts 4:11]]). He was despised, rejected, and treated as nothing by human authorities and the world. This profound humiliation, however, was not a sign of weakness but the very path to His exaltation and the world's salvation. It underscores the depth of His self-emptying love and obedience (cf. [[Philippians 2:5-8]]).
2. **God's Paradoxical Wisdom and Election:** Perhaps the most striking theological insight is found in [[1 Corinthians 1:28]], where exouthenéō describes God's deliberate choice of "the things that are low and despised in the world." God intentionally chooses what the world considers foolish, weak, and worthless to confound the wise and mighty. This demonstrates that God's power and wisdom operate on a plane entirely different from human understanding, challenging human pride and self-sufficiency. His election is based on His sovereign will, valuing those whom the world rejects.
3. **Warning Against Contempt within the Church:** Paul's strong admonition in [[Romans 14:3, 10]] against despising fellow believers highlights a critical ethical and theological concern. Such contempt within the Christian community undermines unity, violates the law of love, and usurps God's role as ultimate judge. It reflects a spirit of pride and self-righteousness, directly contrary to the humility exemplified by Christ and demanded of His followers. Believers are called to receive and accept one another, recognizing that each is a servant of the Lord.
4. **The Value of the Seemingly Insignificant:** The consistent use of exouthenéō throughout the New Testament emphasizes that what is despised by human standards is often highly valued by God. This applies to individuals (the chosen of God), the message of the cross (foolishness to the world), and even the seemingly "weak" aspects of ministry (e.g., Paul's physical presence). It serves as a constant reminder that God works through humble means and that true worth is determined by divine rather than human assessment.
5. **Respect for Spiritual Gifts:** The command "Do not despise prophecies" ([[1 Thessalonians 5:20]]) underscores the importance of valuing and discerning spiritual manifestations. Contempt can lead to quenching the Spirit and hindering God's work in the church.
### Summary
The Greek word exouthenéō (`{{G1848}}`) denotes the act of treating something or someone as nothing, to despise, scorn, or set at naught. It conveys a profound sense of utter devaluation and contempt. In the New Testament, its usage reveals several profound theological truths: it describes the profound humiliation and rejection endured by Jesus Christ, who was despised by the world but exalted by God; it illuminates God's paradoxical wisdom in choosing "the despised things of the world" to shame the wise and mighty, thereby challenging human pride; and it serves as a stern warning against the destructive practice of despising fellow believers within the Christian community, which undermines love and unity. Ultimately, exouthenéō calls believers to embrace humility, to value what God values, and to recognize that true worth and wisdom are defined by divine, not human, assessment.
TRV