English · KJV
G2710

καταχράομαι

katachráomai /kat-akh-rah'-om-ahee/ Ask about this word
Rootfrom κατά and χράομαι
Meaningto overuse, i.e. misuse
KJV usageabuse.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of katachráomai — 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 katachráomai, represented by G2710, means to overuse, i.e. misuse:--abuse. It is formed from κατά and χράομαι. Appearing just 2 times in 2 unique verses, its usage highlights a specific warning against improper use of both worldly things and spiritual authority.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In its biblical contexts, G2710 provides pointed instruction. It appears in 1 Corinthians 7:31, cautioning those that "use this world" to do so as not "abusing it," because "the fashion of this world passeth away." The word is also used in 1 Corinthians 9:18, where Paul describes his commitment to make the gospel "without charge" so that he does not "abuse" his "power in the gospel."

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words help clarify the meaning of abusing or misusing something:

  • G5530 chráomai (to employ or use): As the base word for G2710, it establishes the concept of usage. Paul uses it to explain that while others "have used this power," he has not 1 Corinthians 9:15.
  • G2889 kósmos (world): This is the object that can be potentially misused in 1 Corinthians 7:31. The term refers to the orderly arrangement of the world, which believers engage with but should not overuse.
  • G1849 exousía (authority, power): This is the specific privilege Paul refrains from abusing in his ministry 1 Corinthians 9:18. It refers to a delegated influence or right that can be exercised.
  • G3855 parágō (to pass away): This word is used to describe why the world should not be abused; its "fashion... passeth away" 1 Corinthians 7:31, indicating its temporary nature.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of G2710 is focused on Christian conduct and stewardship.

  • Stewardship of the Temporal: The instruction not to "abuse" the world is directly linked to its transient nature, as its "fashion" G4976 "passeth away" G3855 1 Corinthians 7:31. This frames a believer's interaction with the world not as an owner, but as a temporary steward.
  • Voluntary Restraint in Ministry: Paul's choice not to "abuse" his "power" G1849 by making the gospel "without charge" G77 illustrates a principle of selfless service 1 Corinthians 9:18. It shows that a legitimate right may be set aside for the greater good of the gospel's progress.

Summary

In summary, G2710 provides a crucial distinction between proper use and abuse. Though rare, its appearances in Scripture serve as a powerful reminder for believers to maintain a detached and responsible posture toward the temporary world and to exercise any spiritual authority with humility and for the benefit of others, not for personal gain.

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 2 occurrences, inflected in 2 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form.

  • Aorist Middle Deponent Infinitive 1×
  • Present Middle Or Passive Deponent Participle Nominative Plural Masculine 1×
Nominative
The subject of the verb.
Plural
More than one.
Masculine
Masculine grammatical gender.
Present
Action in progress or repeated — happening now or continually.
Aorist
Action viewed as a single whole — usually a simple past event.
Middle Deponent
Middle in form but active in meaning.
Middle Or Passive
Can be read as middle or passive; context decides.
Infinitive
The verb as a noun — "to do".
Participle
A verbal adjective — describes while carrying the verb's action.

Related Words

Related

Other entries the study above points to — each one is drawn from a reference it makes. Follow the trail to see how the words connect.

G5530 χράομαι middle voice of a primary verb (perhaps rather from χείρ, to handle); to furnish what is needed; (give an oracle, "graze G2889 κόσμος probably from the base of κομίζω; orderly arrangement, i.e. decoration; by implication, the world (in a wide or narrow s G1849 ἐξουσία from ἔξεστι (in the sense of ability); privilege, i.e. (subjectively) force, capacity, competency, freedom, or (objectiv G3855 παράγω from παρά and ἄγω; to lead near, i.e. (reflexively or intransitively) to go along or away:--depart, pass (away, by, fort G4976 σχῆμα from the alternate of ἔχω; a figure (as a mode or circumstance), i.e. (by implication) external condition:--fashion. G77 ἀδάπανος from Α (as negative particle); and δαπάνη; costless, i.e. gratuitous:--without expense.

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

2 verses, all in 1 Corinthians — and none of the other 26 New Testament books.

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.