Lexical Summary katabrabeuó: To disqualify, to decide against, to condemn Original Word: καταβραβεύω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance beguile of reward. From kata and brabeuo (in its original sense); to award the price against, i.e. (figuratively) to defraud (of salvation) -- beguile of reward. see GREEK kata see GREEK brabeuo HELPS Word-studies 2603 katabrabeúō (from 2596 /katá, "down, according to," which intensifies 1018 /brabeúō, "acting as an umpire") – properly, a judge (arbiter) making the wrong call, depriving someone of their rightful prize and reward (used only in Col 2:18). 2603 /katabrabeúō ("to deprive") refers to discouraging (misleading) believers, diverting them from their full potential for receiving their unique glorification (cf. Phil 3:7-14) – i.e "the full-impact" resurrection mentioned in Phil 3:11, Gk text. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom kata and brabeus (an umpire) Definition to give judgment against NASB Translation defrauding...of...prize (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 2603: καταβραβεύωκαταβραβεύω, imperative 3 person singular καταβραβευέτω; (properly, βραβεύω to be an umpire in a contest, κατά namely, τίνος, against one); "to decide as umpire against one, to declare him unworthy of the prize; to defraud of the prize of victory": τινα, metaphorically, to deprive of salvation, Colossians 2:18, where cf. Meyer (Lightfoot, especially Field, Otium Norv. Pars iii.). (Eustathius ad Iliad 1, 93, 33 (vss. 402f) καταβραβευει αὐτόν, ὡς φασίν οἱ παλαιοι; but in the earlier Greek writings that have come down to us, it is found only in (pseudo-) dem. adv. middle, p. 544 at the end, where it is used of one who by bribing the judges causes another to be condemned.) Topical Lexicon Term and Scope Strong’s Greek 2603 appears once in the New Testament (Colossians 2:18). The verb pictures an umpire who manipulates the outcome so that a competitor loses the prize. Paul employs the word figuratively, warning believers not to be cheated out of their heavenly reward. Biblical Context Colossians 2 addresses threats to the sufficiency of Christ—ritualistic legalism, self-abasement, angel worship, and speculative visions. Verse 18 cautions: “Let no one disqualify you…”. The image recalls athletic games familiar throughout the Greco-Roman world. Just as judges could invalidate a runner for violating the rules, so false teachers could invalidate Christians who submit to doctrines that eclipse Christ. Historical Background Colossae lay near the imperial highway connecting Ephesus and the eastern provinces, a crossroads of Jewish synagogues, Asian mystery cults, and Greco-Roman ascetic philosophies. Athletic festivals, sponsored by cities to honor local deities or the emperor, were common. Umpires (brabeus) enforced regulations and awarded garlands. Paul transforms this civic scene into a spiritual warning: Christ alone confers the crown, yet religious impostors may act as illegitimate umpires, stripping saints of the honor Christ intends. Theological Implications 1. Christocentric Sufficiency Colossians 2:9-10 declares believers “have been made complete in Him.” Any practice that shifts trust from Christ to angels, visions, or bodily severity contests His sole mediatorship (Acts 4:12; 1 Timothy 2:5). 2. Reward versus Salvation The verb concerns reward, not justification. Eternal life is gift (Ephesians 2:8-9); crowns are incentives for faithful service (1 Corinthians 3:14; 2 Timothy 4:8). The Colossian heresy threatened the latter by diverting devotion. 3. Spiritual Authority Self-appointed arbiters who “delight in false humility” replace God’s Word with experience. Scripture, not mystical encounters, binds the conscience (Isaiah 8:20). The admonition anticipates later ascetic movements and reinforces sola Scriptura. Related Themes and Scriptures • Athletic imagery—running, boxing, pressing toward the goal (1 Corinthians 9:24-27; Philippians 3:13-14). Pastoral Applications • Guard doctrine: measure every teaching by the apostolic gospel. Ministry Significance Strong’s 2603 urges churches to protect believers from spiritual fraud. Shepherds must expose pseudo-umpires who promise deeper experiences while undercutting Christ’s finished work. Disciples cultivate discernment, resist legalistic shadows, and persevere in gospel freedom. Summary Καταβραβεύω depicts the illicit umpire who robs athletes of victory. Paul redeploys the term to defend the supremacy of Christ and the believer’s reward. Staying rooted in the Head preserves joy, assurance, and the crown reserved for those who “have loved His appearing” (2 Timothy 4:8). Forms and Transliterations καταβραβευετω καταβραβευέτω καταβραβεύετω καταβρωθήναι κατάβρωμα καταβρώσει κατάγαια κατεβρώθησαν katabrabeueto katabrabeuetō katabrabeuéto katabrabeuétōLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |
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