2509. kathaper
Lexical Summary
kathaper: just as, even as

Original Word: καθάπερ
Part of Speech: Adverb
Transliteration: kathaper
Pronunciation: kath-AH-per
Phonetic Spelling: (kath-ap'-er)
KJV: (even, as well) as
NASB: just, like, even
Word Origin: [from G2505 (καθά - as) and G4007 (πέρ - about)]

1. exactly as

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
even, as well as.

From katha and per; exactly as -- (even, as well) as.

see GREEK katha

see GREEK per

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
from katha and per
Definition
just as
NASB Translation
even (1), just (11), like (2).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon
STRONGS NT 2509: καθάπερ

καθάπερ (καθ' ἅπερ), according as, just as, even as, (("καθά marking the comparison, περ (akin to the preposition περί) the latitude of the application"): Romans 9:13 WH text; WH text; also) and 1 Corinthians 10:10 in T Tr WH; 2 Corinthians 3:13, 18 (here WH marginal reading καθώσπερ); 1 Thessalonians 2:11; καθάπερ καί, Romans 4:6; 2 Corinthians 1:14; 1 Thessalonians 3:6, 12; 1 Thessalonians 4:5; Hebrews 4:2, and R G in Hebrews 5:4; καθάπερ followed by οὕτω (or οὕτως), Romans 12:4; 1 Corinthians 12:12; 2 Corinthians 8:11. ((From Aristophanes down); the Sept. for כַּאֲשֶׁר, Exodus 7:6, 10.)

Topical Lexicon
Incidence in Scripture

Appearing thirteen times, καθάπερ anchors key comparisons in Romans, 1 Corinthians, 2 Corinthians, 1 Thessalonians, and Hebrews, each instance weaving an inspired parallel that sheds light on doctrine, ethics, and the life of the church.

The Function of καθάπερ in Apostolic Teaching

1. Establishing Correspondence

Romans 4:6 links David’s testimony with the Pauline doctrine of imputed righteousness: “And David speaks likewise of the blessedness of the man to whom God credits righteousness apart from works”. Καθάπερ bridges Old Testament witness and New Testament gospel, underscoring the continuity of God’s saving plan.

2. Illustrating Unity in Diversity

Romans 12:4 and 1 Corinthians 12:12 employ the term to compare the human body with the body of Christ: “Just as each of us has one body with many members…so in Christ we who are many are one body” (Romans 12:4-5, composite). The adverb marks the analogy, grounding church life in a divinely ordained pattern of mutual dependence.

3. Issuing Moral Warnings

1 Corinthians 10:10 recalls Israel’s judgment: “And do not complain, as some of them did, and were killed by the destroying angel”. Καθάπερ ties the Corinthian situation to Israel’s wilderness failures, making past discipline a present caution.

4. Clarifying Eschatological Hope

2 Corinthians 1:14 places mutual boasting “in the day of our Lord Jesus” on the same footing for both apostle and congregation. The comparison anticipates a shared future vindication.

5. Contrasting Covenants and Glory

2 Corinthians 3:13-18 juxtaposes Moses’ veiled glory with the believer’s unveiled transformation: “We are not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face…And we all, with unveiled faces, contemplate the glory of the Lord”. Καθάπερ highlights the superiority of the New Covenant.

6. Aligning Intention and Action

2 Corinthians 8:11 urges completion of the Corinthians’ offering: “Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness…may be matched by your completion of it”. The adverb links desire and deed, illustrating integrity in stewardship.

7. Modeling Pastoral Care

1 Thessalonians 2:11 compares Paul’s ministry to fatherly nurture: “For you know that we treated each of you as a father treats his own children”. Καθάπερ conveys tenderness without compromising authority.

8. Encouraging Mutual Affection

1 Thessalonians 3:6, 12 and 4:5 employ the word to synchronize apostolic and congregational love, and to contrast Christian purity with Gentile passion. The repeated use stitches personal relationship into ethical exhortation.

9. Warning Against Unbelief

Hebrews 4:2 parallels the wilderness generation with the readers: “For we also received the gospel just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them”. Καθάπερ exposes the danger of an unmingled faith.

Intertextual Echoes and Scriptural Unity

By linking past and present, Israel and church, intention and fulfillment, καθάπερ serves as a grammatical witness to the unity of redemptive history. The Spirit-inspired authors employ it to affirm that what God has done and said before provides the pattern for what He is now doing in Christ and His people.

Doctrinal Insights

• Justification: David’s testimony (Romans 4:6) confirms that grace, not works, has always been the ground of righteousness.
• Ecclesiology: Bodily analogies (Romans 12:4; 1 Corinthians 12:12) reinforce the organic nature of corporate life.
• Sanctification: Transformation “from glory to glory” (2 Corinthians 3:18) is patterned after the unveiled vision of Christ.
• Stewardship: Matching willingness with completion (2 Corinthians 8:11) upholds faithful follow-through.
• Eschatology: Mutual boasting “in the day of our Lord” (2 Corinthians 1:14) ties present loyalty to future reward.

Applications for Ministry and Discipleship

1. Use biblical parallels to teach: illustrate doctrinal truths with Old Testament narratives, following Paul’s model.
2. Foster body-life: emphasize diversity-in-unity to counter individualism.
3. Warn lovingly: recall past judgments as motivation for present holiness.
4. Encourage follow-through: align zeal with action in giving and service.
5. Cultivate mutual affection: model the apostolic example of familial care.
6. Sustain faith: remind believers that hearing must be mingled with faith, lest the promise remain unrealized.

Historical Significance

Early Christian writers prized καθάπερ for its rhetorical power. In patristic homilies the term often introduced typology—Jonah as a figure of Christ, Isaac as a picture of the Son. Such usage mirrors the apostolic instinct: Scripture explains Scripture by Spirit-guided comparison.

Summary

Καθάπερ, though a small adverb, functions as a theological hinge. Wherever it appears, the Spirit is pointing to a divinely intended likeness—binding past to present, doctrine to life, and promise to fulfillment—so that the church might believe, obey, and hope “just as” the Word directs.

Forms and Transliterations
καθαπερ καθάπερ καθὼς kathaper katháper kathos kathōs kathṑs
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Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
Romans 4:6 Adv
GRK: καθάπερ καὶ Δαυὶδ
NAS: just as David also
KJV: Even as David also
INT: Even as also David

Romans 12:4 Adv
GRK: καθάπερ γὰρ ἐν
NAS: For just as we have many
KJV: For as we have many
INT: even as indeed in

1 Corinthians 10:10 Adv
GRK: μηδὲ γογγύζετε καθάπερ τινὲς αὐτῶν
INT: Neither grumble you as some of them

1 Corinthians 12:12 Adv
GRK: Καθάπερ γὰρ τὸ
NAS: For even as the body is one
KJV: For as the body is
INT: Even as for the

2 Corinthians 1:14 Adv
GRK: ὑμῶν ἐσμὲν καθάπερ καὶ ὑμεῖς
KJV: your rejoicing, even as ye also
INT: of you we are even as also you [are]

2 Corinthians 3:13 Adv
GRK: καὶ οὐ καθάπερ Μωυσῆς ἐτίθει
NAS: and [are] not like Moses,
KJV: And not as Moses, [which] put
INT: and not as Moses he would put

2 Corinthians 3:18 Adv
GRK: εἰς δόξαν καθάπερ ἀπὸ κυρίου
NAS: to glory, just as from the Lord,
KJV: to glory, [even] as by the Spirit
INT: to glory even as from [the] Lord

2 Corinthians 8:11 Adv
GRK: ἐπιτελέσατε ὅπως καθάπερ ἡ προθυμία
NAS: so that just as [there was] the readiness
KJV: [of it]; that as [there was] a readiness
INT: complete so that even as [there was] the readiness

1 Thessalonians 2:11 Adv
GRK: καθάπερ οἴδατε ὡς
NAS: just as you know how
KJV: As ye know how
INT: even as you know how

1 Thessalonians 3:6 Adv
GRK: ἡμᾶς ἰδεῖν καθάπερ καὶ ἡμεῖς
NAS: to see us just as we also
KJV: to see us, as we alsoINT: us to see even as also we

1 Thessalonians 3:12 Adv
GRK: εἰς πάντας καθάπερ καὶ ἡμεῖς
NAS: and for all people, just as we also
KJV: all [men], even as we [do] toward
INT: toward all even as also we

1 Thessalonians 4:5 Adv
GRK: πάθει ἐπιθυμίας καθάπερ καὶ τὰ
NAS: passion, like the Gentiles
KJV: even as the Gentiles
INT: passion of lust even as also the

Hebrews 4:2 Adv
GRK: ἐσμεν εὐηγγελισμένοι καθάπερ κἀκεῖνοι ἀλλ'
NAS: we have had good news preached to us, just as they also;
KJV: the gospel preached, as well as unto them:
INT: we are having had gospel preached [to us] even as also they but

Strong's Greek 2509
13 Occurrences


καθάπερ — 13 Occ.

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