2603. katabrabeuó
Lexical Summary
katabrabeuó: To disqualify, to decide against, to condemn

Original Word: καταβραβεύω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: katabrabeuó
Pronunciation: kat-ab-rab-yoo'-o
Phonetic Spelling: (kat-ab-rab-yoo'-o)
KJV: beguile of reward
NASB: defrauding of prize
Word Origin: [from G2596 (κατά - according) and G1018 (βραβεύω - rule) (in its original sense)]

1. to award the price against
2. (figuratively) to defraud (of salvation)

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 Origin
from kata and brabeus (an umpire)
Definition
to give judgment against
NASB Translation
defrauding...of...prize (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon
STRONGS NT 2603: καταβραβεύω

καταβραβεύω, 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).
• Legitimate rules—“If anyone competes as an athlete, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules” (2 Timothy 2:5).
• Bema evaluation—“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ” (2 Corinthians 5:10).
• Warning against adding to the gospel—Galatians 1:6-9; Revelation 22:18-19.

Pastoral Applications

• Guard doctrine: measure every teaching by the apostolic gospel.
• Cling to Christ: union with the Head nourishes and knits the body (Colossians 2:19).
• Value biblical humility: genuine lowliness exalts Christ, not ascetic display.
• Run lawfully: pursue holiness empowered by grace, awaiting an imperishable crown (1 Peter 5:4).

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 katabrabeuétō
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Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
Colossians 2:18 V-PMA-3S
GRK: μηδεὶς ὑμᾶς καταβραβευέτω θέλων ἐν
NAS: Let no one keep defrauding you of your prize by delighting
KJV: you of your reward in
INT: No one you let defraud of the prize doing [his] will in

Strong's Greek 2603
1 Occurrence


καταβραβευέτω — 1 Occ.

2602
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