### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek noun κήρυγμα (kḗrygma), Strong's number `{{G2782}}`, derives from the verb κηρύσσω (kēryssō, `{{G2784}}`), meaning "to proclaim as a herald" or "to preach." At its most fundamental level, κήρυγμα signifies "a proclamation" or "a message publicly announced by a herald." Unlike a mere statement or discussion, a κήρυγμα carries the weight of authority and urgency, as it is delivered on behalf of a sovereign power.
Semantically, κήρυγμα encompasses both the *act* of proclaiming and, more significantly, the *content* of that proclamation. In the New Testament, its primary reference is to the authoritative declaration of the gospel, often to the point where the term itself becomes synonymous with the gospel message. It is not simply "preaching" in the sense of delivering a sermon, but rather the specific, divinely-mandated message that is preached. This message is public, authoritative, and demands a response.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term κήρυγμα appears 9 times in the New Testament, primarily in the Pauline epistles, highlighting its significance in early Christian evangelism.
* **[[Matthew 12:41]]**: "The men of Nineveh will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, because they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and behold, something greater than Jonah is here." Here, κήρυγμα refers to the specific message of repentance delivered by Jonah. It underscores the power of the proclaimed word to elicit a response.
* **[[Romans 16:25]]**: "Now to Him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages past." Paul links "my gospel" with the "preaching of Jesus Christ," emphasizing that the κήρυγμα is the content concerning Christ, a revealed mystery.
* **[[1 Corinthians 1:21]]**: "For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not come to know God, God was pleased through the foolishness of the preaching to save those who believe." This verse is pivotal. Paul contrasts human wisdom with the "foolishness of the κήρυγμα" – specifically the message of the cross. To the world, the message of a crucified Messiah seemed absurd, yet it is through this very proclamation that God effects salvation. The power resides not in human eloquence but in the divine content.
* **[[1 Corinthians 2:4]]**: "and my message and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power." Paul again distinguishes the content (his "message," λόγος, `{{G3056}}`) and the act of proclamation (κήρυγμα), stating that neither relied on human rhetorical skill but on divine power.
* **[[1 Corinthians 15:14]]**: "and if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith also is in vain." Here, the resurrection of Christ is presented as the indispensable core of the κήρυγμα. Without it, the entire message is empty and without effect, rendering both the proclamation and the faith it engenders meaningless.
* **[[2 Timothy 4:2]]**: While this verse uses the verb "preach" (κηρύσσω, `{{G2784}}`), it encapsulates the essence of the κήρυγμα: "Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction." The content (the "word") is paramount.
* **[[Titus 1:3]]**: "but at the proper time manifested His word in the preaching with which I was entrusted according to the commandment of God our Savior." This verse highlights the divine origin and commissioning of the κήρυγμα. God's word is "manifested" through this authoritative proclamation, which is a sacred trust.
In every instance, κήρυγμα points to a specific, divinely-sourced, authoritative message, particularly the good news concerning Jesus Christ and His saving work, which demands a response.
### Related Words & Concepts
* **κηρύσσω (kēryssō, `{{G2784}}`)**: The verb from which κήρυγμα is derived, meaning "to proclaim as a herald," "to preach." This is the action of delivering the κήρυγμα.
* **κῆρυξ (kēryx, `{{G2783}}`)**: The noun meaning "a herald" or "a preacher." This is the person who delivers the κήρυγμα. The relationship is clear: the κῆρυξ delivers the κήρυγμα by κηρύσσω.
* **εὐαγγέλιον (euangelion, `{{G2098}}`)**: "Gospel," "good news." The content of the Christian κήρυγμα is fundamentally the εὐαγγέλιον. The two terms are often used interchangeably or in close conjunction, with κήρυγμα emphasizing the act and authority of proclamation, and εὐαγγέλιον emphasizing the nature of the message as "good news."
* **λόγος (logos, `{{G3056}}`)**: "Word," "message." The κήρυγμα is a specific kind of λόγος – a divinely authorized and powerful word.
* **μαρτυρία (martyria, `{{G3141}}`)**: "Witness," "testimony." While a witness gives testimony, the κήρυγμα is more than mere reporting; it is an authoritative declaration with divine backing.
* **Didachē (διδαχή, `{{G1322}}`)**: "Teaching" or "instruction." While related, κήρυγμα is the initial, authoritative proclamation of the core message, whereas διδαχή refers to the subsequent, systematic instruction and explanation of that message for believers.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of κήρυγμα is profound and multi-faceted:
1. **Divine Origin and Authority**: The κήρυγμα is not human wisdom or opinion, but a message originating from God Himself. It is God's own authoritative word, delivered through His appointed heralds. This divine origin imbues the proclamation with inherent power and truth.
2. **Christ-Centeredness**: The core content of the Christian κήρυγμα is Jesus Christ – His person, His saving work (especially His death, burial, and resurrection), and His Lordship. It is the announcement of God's decisive act of salvation accomplished in Christ. As [[1 Corinthians 15:14]] powerfully states, without Christ's resurrection, the κήρυγμα is empty.
3. **Power unto Salvation**: Paul emphasizes that the κήρυγμα, particularly the "preaching of the cross," is the "power of God for salvation to everyone who believes" ([[Romans 1:16]], [[1 Corinthians 1:18]], [[1 Corinthians 1:21]]). It is not through human eloquence or philosophical argumentation, but through the seemingly "foolish" message of the crucified Christ that God brings about salvation. This highlights God's sovereign choice to work through the proclaimed word.
4. **Call to Response**: The κήρυγμα is never a neutral presentation of facts. It is a divine summons that demands a decisive response of repentance and faith. The Ninevites' response to Jonah's κήρυγμα ([[Matthew 12:41]]) serves as a biblical paradigm.
5. **Foundation of the Church**: The early church was founded upon the apostolic κήρυγμα. It was the public proclamation of Christ's resurrection and the call to repentance that led to the formation of the first communities of believers. The ongoing proclamation of this message continues to be central to the church's mission and growth.
### Summary
The Greek word κήρυγμα (kḗrygma, `{{G2782}}`) signifies an authoritative, public proclamation, most notably the divinely-sourced message of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Derived from the verb "to proclaim as a herald" (κηρύσσω, `{{G2784}}`), it encompasses both the act of authoritative declaration and, more importantly, the specific content being declared. In the New Testament, κήρυγμα is intrinsically linked to the person and work of Jesus Christ, particularly His death and resurrection, serving as the very core of the Christian message. It is understood not as mere human speech, but as the powerful, God-ordained means by which salvation is offered and faith is engendered. The κήρυγμα demands a response of repentance and belief, standing as the foundational and ongoing proclamation of the church.
TRV