### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek adverb G2714 (κατενώπιον, *katenṓpion*) is a compound word formed from the preposition κατά (katá) and the adverb ἐνώπιον (enṓpion). The base word ἐνώπιον (`{{G1799}}`) signifies "in the presence of," "before," or "in the sight of," deriving from ἐν (in) and ὤψ (face). The prefix κατά (katá) in this compound functions as an intensive particle, emphasizing directness, fullness, or a downward orientation. Therefore, κατενώπιον conveys a meaning more potent than mere proximity. It denotes being "directly in front of," "squarely before," "fully exposed to the gaze of," or "in the unhindered presence of." The semantic range thus extends beyond simple location to imply a state of full visibility, accountability, and direct confrontation or reception. It suggests an unmediated encounter, where one is fully seen and acknowledged.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
G2714 appears a limited number of times in the New Testament, primarily in Pauline epistles and Revelation, consistently carrying its intensive meaning:
* **Ephesians 1:4**: "just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless [[Ephesians 1:4]] *before Him* (κατενώπιον αὐτοῦ) in love." Here, the term underscores the profound spiritual standing of believers. It is not merely a general holiness but a state of absolute purity and blamelessness that is acceptable directly in God's holy presence. This blamelessness is a result of divine election and Christ's redemptive work, enabling an unhindered relationship with God.
* **Colossians 1:22**: "He has reconciled in His body of flesh through death, in order to present you holy and blameless and beyond reproach [[Colossians 1:22]] *before Him* (κατενώπιον αὐτοῦ)." Similar to Ephesians, this verse emphasizes the eschatological hope and present reality of the believer's standing. Christ's work makes it possible for believers to be presented in a state of complete moral and spiritual integrity, fully acceptable and without blemish directly before God's discerning gaze.
* **Jude 1:24**: "Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand blameless [[Jude 1:24]] *in the presence of His glory* (κατενώπιον τῆς δόξης αὐτοῦ) with great joy." This doxology beautifully articulates God's preserving power and the ultimate destiny of the saints. To stand κατενώπιον God's glory implies an unmediated, triumphant encounter with His divine majesty, free from any blemish or fault, culminating in profound joy.
* **Revelation 14:10**: "he also will drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is mixed in full strength in the cup of His anger; and he will be tormented with fire and brimstone [[Revelation 14:10]] *in the presence of* (κατενώπιον) the holy angels and [[Revelation 14:10]] *in the presence of* (κατενώπιον) the Lamb." In this context of judgment, κατενώπιον highlights the inescapable and public nature of divine retribution. The torment is not hidden but occurs directly before the holy angels and, most significantly, before the Lamb Himself, emphasizing the justice and full awareness of the divine witnesses.
Across these occurrences, κατενώπιον consistently points to a direct, unmediated, and fully exposed state before a divine or authoritative presence, whether in acceptance or judgment.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary related word is ἐνώπιον (`{{G1799}}`), which serves as the base of κατενώπιον. While ἐνώπιον generally means "in the presence of" or "before," κατενώπιον intensifies this, suggesting a more direct, face-to-face, or fully exposed encounter. Other related concepts include:
* **πρόσωπον** (`{{G4383}}`): "face," often used metaphorically for "presence" (e.g., "from the face of the Lord"). κατενώπιον implies being directly opposite or in front of this "face" or presence.
* **παρουσία** (`{{G3952}}`): "presence," "coming," or "arrival." While παρουσία refers to the fact of presence, κατενώπιον describes the nature of being in that presence—specifically, the directness and full visibility.
The theological concepts deeply intertwined with κατενώπιον are:
* **Divine Omniscience and Holiness:** The term underscores God's perfect knowledge and the absolute purity required to stand in His direct sight. There is no hiding or pretense possible.
* **Imputed Righteousness and Atonement:** For humanity to stand "holy and blameless" κατενώπιον God, it necessitates a divine act of grace and reconciliation, specifically through the atoning work of Christ.
* **Eschatological Hope and Consummation:** The ultimate presentation of believers κατενώπιον God's glory points to the believer's final, triumphant state of unhindered fellowship and joy in God's presence.
* **Divine Justice and Judgment:** In contexts of wrath, κατενώπιον emphasizes the inescapable reality and full visibility of divine judgment, where the condemned are fully exposed to the righteous gaze of God and His agents.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of κατενώπιον is profound, illuminating key aspects of God's character and His relationship with humanity:
1. **God's Absolute Purity and Discernment:** The use of κατενώπιον highlights God's utter holiness, before which nothing impure or blemished can stand. It signifies His perfect discernment and knowledge, indicating that one is fully seen and known in His direct gaze. This underscores the impossibility of human merit achieving such a standing.
2. **The Efficacy of Christ's Redemptive Work:** The fact that believers *can* be presented "holy and blameless" κατενώπιον God is a testament to the transformative power of Christ's atonement. It reveals that believers are not merely forgiven, but are granted a new, righteous standing, imputed by Christ's work, enabling them to endure the scrutiny of divine holiness. This points to the depth of God's grace and the completeness of salvation in Christ.
3. **The Believer's Glorious Destiny:** The promise of being presented κατενώπιον God's glory with great joy in Jude 1:24 speaks to the ultimate consummation of the believer's hope. It is a vision of unhindered, joyful communion with God in His full majesty, free from sin and sorrow. This eschatological reality provides immense comfort and motivation for present sanctification.
4. **The Inescapability of Divine Judgment:** In contexts like Revelation 14:10, κατενώπιον serves as a stark reminder of the certainty and public nature of divine justice. There is no escape from the direct gaze of the Judge; all actions are fully exposed and judgment is executed in the full sight of divine witnesses, affirming God's righteous governance.
5. **Motivation for Holy Living:** The concept of standing κατενώπιον God naturally impresses upon believers the call to live lives of holiness and integrity. While our ultimate blamelessness is a gift in Christ, the awareness of God's direct and discerning presence serves as a powerful impetus for ongoing sanctification and a pursuit of Christlikeness.
### Summary
The Greek word G2714 (κατενώπιον, *katenṓpion*) signifies a direct, unmediated, and fully exposed presence before another, particularly a divine or authoritative figure. Formed from κατά (intensive) and ἐνώπιον (in the presence of), it implies being squarely in front of, fully visible, and subject to the direct gaze or scrutiny of the other. In biblical contexts, κατενώπιον profoundly highlights God's absolute holiness and perfect discernment. For believers, it underscores the profound grace of Christ's work, which enables them to stand "holy and blameless" [[Ephesians 1:4]] and "beyond reproach" [[Colossians 1:22]] directly before God, culminating in a joyful presentation [[Jude 1:24]] in His glory. Conversely, in judgment contexts, it emphasizes the inescapable and fully witnessed nature of divine wrath [[Revelation 14:10]]. Thus, κατενώπιον is a powerful term that captures the reality and gravity of being in God's direct sight, whether for reconciliation and eternal joy or for righteous judgment.
TRV