Word Study for G1848 (ἐξουθενέω)

exouthenéō /ex-oo-then-eh'-o/ Ask about this word

Roota variation of ἐξουδενόω and meaning the same

KJV usagecontemptible, despise, least esteemed, set at nought.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of exouthenéō — the range of meaning it carries, how Scripture actually uses it, and where it points. Written for readers who don’t know the original language.

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Greek word exouthenéō, represented by G1848, conveys the act of treating something or someone as utterly worthless. It appears 15 times across 11 unique verses and is defined as contemptible, despise, least esteemed, or to set at nought. This term signifies a deliberate and severe form of rejection, viewing the subject as having no value or significance.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In scripture, G1848 is used to describe various forms of contempt. It characterizes the self-righteous who "despised others" Luke 18:9 and is used in the instruction for believers not to "despise" one another over matters of conscience Romans 14:3. The term is also applied to the rejection of Christ, who is described as the stone "which was set at nought" by the builders Acts 4:11. In a moment of intense humiliation, Herod and his soldiers "set him at nought" Luke 23:11. Paul uses it to describe how his physical presence was considered weak and his speech "contemptible" 2 Corinthians 10:10.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words help clarify the meaning of treating something as worthless:

G36 agenḗs (base things): This term describes that which is ignoble or of unknown descent. It is used to characterize the very "things which are despised" that God has chosen 1 Corinthians 1:28.
G1702 empaízō (to jeer at, i.e. deride:--mock): This word is used in direct parallel with G1848 in the account of Christ's passion, where Herod's soldiers first set him at nought and then "mocked him" Luke 23:11.
G2919 krínō (to distinguish, i.e. decide... judge): This word for judging is contrasted with despising in Romans, which asks, "why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother?" Romans 14:10.
G2673 katargéō (to be (render) entirely idle (useless)... bring (come) to nought): This word appears alongside G1848 to show God's purpose in choosing the despised things of the world "to bring to nought things that are" 1 Corinthians 1:28.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of G1848 is significant, highlighting a core conflict between worldly and divine values.

Rejection of the Divine: The act of setting at nought is directed toward Christ, the cornerstone Acts 4:11, and toward divinely given "prophesyings" 1 Thessalonians 5:20, indicating a rejection of God's provision and authority.
A Call for Unity: The term is used as a specific prohibition against contempt within the church. Believers are warned not to "despise" their brethren Romans 14:3 or those sent to minister to them 1 Corinthians 16:11.
God's Economy: The most profound theological point is that God intentionally chooses what the world has "despised" and deemed worthless to accomplish His purposes, thereby bringing to nought the things the world esteems 1 Corinthians 1:28.

Summary

In summary, G1848 is not a term for simple dislike but for a deep-seated contempt that counts its object as nothing. It is a key concept for understanding the world's rejection of Christ and His followers, a crucial warning against arrogance within the body of believers, and a powerful illustration of God's method of subverting human pride by elevating what has been set at nought.

How the KJV Renders It

Translation

Strong’s lists the renderings but not their weight. These are counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the bar under each is how often the translators actually reached for it. Select one to filter the occurrences below.

Grammatical Forms

Morphology

In the Greek New Testament, this word appears as a verb across 11 occurrences, inflected in 11 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form.

Aorist Active Indicative 2nd Plural 1×
Aorist Active Participle Nominative Singular Masculine 1×
Aorist Active Subjunctive 3rd Singular 1×
Aorist Passive Participle Nominative Singular Masculine 1×
Perfect Passive Participle Accusative Plural Masculine 1×
Perfect Passive Participle Accusative Plural Neuter 1×
Perfect Passive Participle Nominative Singular Masculine 1×
Present Active Imperative 2nd Plural 1×
Present Active Imperative 3rd Singular 1×
Present Active Indicative 2nd Singular 1×
Present Active Participle Accusative Plural Masculine 1×

Nominative: The subject of the verb.
Accusative: The direct object of the verb.
Singular: One.
Plural: More than one.
Masculine: Masculine grammatical gender.
Neuter: Neuter grammatical gender.
2nd: Second person — the one addressed ("you").
3rd: Third person — the one spoken about ("he"/"they").
Present: Action in progress or repeated — happening now or continually.
Aorist: Action viewed as a single whole — usually a simple past event.
Perfect: A completed act whose results continue.
Active: The subject performs the action.
Passive: The subject is acted upon.
Indicative: A plain statement of fact.
Imperative: A command or entreaty.
Subjunctive: Possibility or purpose — "might", "should".
Participle: A verbal adjective — describes while carrying the verb's action.

Theographic Context

Context

The people, places, and span of history the verses containing this word touch on — drawn from the theographic tagging of Scripture. Select any name to isolate its verses in the occurrence list.

Biblical Distribution

Distribution

Appears in 11 verses across 7 of the 27 books. Most frequent in 1 Corinthians (3 verses); never once in the other 20.

Luke

Acts

Romans

1 Corinthians

2 Corinthians

Galatians

1 Thessalonians

Every Occurrence

Concordance

Every verse where the word is tagged in the King James text. Filter by book, by the English word the translators chose, or search within the verses.

Sources. Definition and numbering: James Strong, Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890). Morphology: STEPBible / Tyndale House (CC BY). Verse tagging: the King James text keyed to Strong’s numbers. Every count on this page is computed from the tagged corpus, not estimated.