κατεργάζομαι

katergázomai /kat-er-gad'-zom-ahee/ Ask about this word
Rootfrom κατά and ἐργάζομαι
Meaningto work fully, i.e. accomplish; by implication, to finish, fashion
KJV usagecause, to (deed), perform, work (out).
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Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Greek word katergázomai, represented by G2716, means to work fully or accomplish. It appears 26 times across 23 unique verses in the Bible. Its definition implies finishing or fashioning something to completion, and it is often translated as to perform, to cause, or to work out.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In scripture, G2716 is used to describe a process of cause and effect in the spiritual life. For example, tribulation G2347 is said to worketh G2716 patience G5281 Romans 5:3, and godly sorrow G3077 worketh G2716 repentance G3341 unto salvation G4991 2 Corinthians 7:10. Believers are commanded to actively work out G2716 their own salvation with fear G5401 and trembling G5156 Philippians 2:12. The term can also carry negative results, as the law G3551 worketh G2716 wrath G3709 Romans 4:15, and sin G266 is described as working G2716 death Romans 7:13.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words help clarify the actions and outcomes associated with G2716:

  • G5281 hypomonḗ: This word for patience or cheerful endurance is presented as a direct result that G2716 accomplishes. The trying of faith and tribulation are both said to worketh G2716 patience (James 1:3, Romans 5:3).
  • G4991 sōtēría: The concept of salvation, defined as rescue or safety, is something to be actively worked out G2716 by the believer Philippians 2:12.
  • G266 hamartía: This word for sin is personified as an agent that wrought G2716 death and concupiscence G1939 by using the commandment G1785 as an opportunity (Romans 7:8, Romans 7:13).
  • G2041 érgon: This term for work or deed is used alongside G2716 when describing how Christ wrought obedience among the Gentiles by word G3056 and deed Romans 15:18.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of G2716 is significant, highlighting several key principles.

  • Spiritual Cause and Effect: The word demonstrates that spiritual states and external pressures produce tangible outcomes. Godly sorrow worketh repentance G3341 leading to salvation, while worldly sorrow worketh death 2 Corinthians 7:10. A light G1645 affliction worketh for the believer an eternal weight of glory 2 Corinthians 4:17.
  • The Agency of Sin and Law: In Romans, the word explains the mechanics of sin's power. The law G3551 worketh wrath G3709 because it reveals transgression G3847 Romans 4:15. Sin G266 is depicted as an active force that takes an occasion G874 through the commandment to work G2716 forbidden desires in a person Romans 7:8.
  • Divine Accomplishment: The word is not limited to human action. God is the one who hath wrought G2716 believers for a divine purpose, giving them the earnest G728 of the Spirit G4151 2 Corinthians 5:5. Christ also wrought G2716 through the apostles to bring about the obedience G5218 of the Gentiles Romans 15:18.

Summary

In summary, G2716 is more than a word for simple action; it signifies a thorough process of accomplishing, finishing, or bringing something to its intended result. It is a key term for understanding spiritual dynamics, illustrating how both godly and ungodly sources can work or produce specific outcomes. From the believer's active responsibility to work out salvation Philippians 2:12 to the agency of sin Romans 7:17 and the ultimate work of God in His people 2 Corinthians 5:5, katergázomai reveals a consistent scriptural principle of active accomplishment and consequence.

Grammatical Forms

In the Greek New Testament, this word appears as a verb across 24 occurrences, inflected in 13 grammatical forms.

  • Present Middle Or Passive Deponent Indicative 3rd Singular 8×
  • Aorist Middle Deponent Indicative 3rd Singular 3×
  • Present Middle Or Passive Deponent Indicative 1st Singular 3×
  • Aorist Middle Deponent Participle Accusative Singular Masculine 1×
  • Aorist Middle Deponent Participle Nominative Plural Masculine 1×
  • Aorist Middle Deponent Participle Nominative Singular Masculine 1×
  • Aorist Passive Indicative 3rd Singular 1×
  • Perfect Middle Or Passive Deponent Infinitive 1×
  • Present Middle Or Passive Deponent Imperative 2nd Plural 1×
  • Present Middle Or Passive Deponent Infinitive 1×
  • Present Middle Or Passive Deponent Participle Genitive Singular Masculine 1×
  • Present Middle Or Passive Deponent Participle Nominative Plural Masculine 1×

+ 1 rarer form

Nominative
The subject of the verb.
Genitive
Possession or source — often "of".
Accusative
The direct object of the verb.
Singular
One.
Plural
More than one.
Masculine
Masculine grammatical gender.
1st
First person — the speaker ("I"/"we").
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.
Middle
The subject acts on or for itself.
Passive
The subject is acted upon.
Middle Deponent
Middle in form but active in meaning.
Passive Deponent
Passive in form but active in meaning.
Middle Or Passive
Can be read as middle or passive; context decides.
Indicative
A plain statement of fact.
Imperative
A command or entreaty.
Infinitive
The verb as a noun — "to do".
Participle
A verbal adjective — describes while carrying the verb's action.

Theographic Context

Biblical Distribution

Appears in 23 verses across 7 books. Most frequent in Romans (11 verses).

11
Romans
1
1 Corinthians
6
2 Corinthians
1
Ephesians
1
Philippians
2
James
1
1 Peter

Verse Explorer

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