2706. kataphroneó
Lexical Summary
kataphroneó: To despise, to scorn, to look down upon

Original Word: καταφρονέω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: kataphroneó
Pronunciation: kat-af-ron-eh'-o
Phonetic Spelling: (kat-af-ron-eh'-o)
KJV: despise
NASB: despise, despising, disrespectful, look down, think lightly
Word Origin: [from G2596 (κατά - according) and G5426 (φρονέω - mind)]

1. to think against, i.e. disesteem

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
despise.

From kata and phroneo; to think against, i.e. Disesteem -- despise.

see GREEK kata

see GREEK phroneo

HELPS Word-studies

2706 kataphronéō (from 2596 /katá, "down, according to," intensifying 5426 /phronéō, "regulating behavior from inner mind-set") – properly, view down, i.e. with a negative (hostile) outlook; to despise, thinking down on (thinking little of); esteem lightly, seeing as insignificant or detestable; to treat with contempt or disregard (BAGD); devalue; to depreciate (scorn); pay no regard to (because something seems of no account); " 'despise, scorn,' and show it by active insult" (Souter).

[2706 /kataphronéō (literally, "think down") refers to holding someone in contempt, deeming them unworthy and hence despised (scorned).]

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
from kata and phroneó
Definition
to think little of
NASB Translation
despise (5), despising (1), disrespectful (1), look down (1), think lightly (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon
STRONGS NT 2706: καταφρονέω

καταφρονέω, καταφρόνω; future καταφρονήσω; 1 aorist κατεφρόνησα; (from Herodotus down); to contemn, despise, disdain, think little or nothing of: with the genitive of the object (Buttmann, § 132, 15), Matthew 6:24; Matthew 18:10; Luke 16:13; Romans 2:4; 1 Corinthians 11:22; 1 Timothy 4:12; 1 Timothy 6:2; 2 Peter 2:10; Hebrews 12:2.

Topical Lexicon
Overview

Strong’s Greek 2706 occurs nine times in the New Testament, describing an action of belittling, scorning, or treating someone or something as of little value. The contexts cluster around three main arenas: contempt for God and His gracious provisions, contempt for people (especially the vulnerable or fellow believers), and contempt for divinely-established authority. Each occurrence exposes the spiritual peril of such disdain and calls the reader to reverence, humility, and love.

Contempt for God’s Grace (Romans 2:4)

Romans 2:4 confronts those who “disregard the riches of His kindness, tolerance, and patience.” Here the attitude is not overt blasphemy but a smug presumption that mistakes divine longsuffering for divine indifference. Such contempt places the sinner on a collision course with the righteous judgment of God, illustrating that despising grace is tantamount to rejecting the only path to repentance.

Scorning the Shame for Joy Set Before Christ (Hebrews 12:2)

Hebrews 12:2 presents the unique, righteous form of contempt: “For the joy set before Him He endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” The Savior’s disdain was not toward the Father but toward the humiliation and disgrace associated with crucifixion. By trivializing that shame in comparison to eternal joy, He models proper priorities for believers under persecution—devaluing temporal dishonor while valuing eternal glory.

Divided Allegiance in Service and Stewardship (Matthew 6:24; Luke 16:13)

Both verses warn that a heart cannot simultaneously serve God and wealth: “He will be devoted to the one and despise the other.” Contempt here becomes a diagnostic sign revealing the object of true devotion. When mammon is treasured, godly commands are subtly sidelined; when God is treasured, money becomes a tool rather than a master.

Neglect of the Vulnerable (Matthew 18:10)

“See that you do not despise one of these little ones.” The statement stands as a protective fence around children and humble believers. Contempt toward the least visible members of the kingdom provokes angelic interest and divine notice, reminding the church that greatness is measured by how the least are valued.

Dishonor within the Assembly (1 Corinthians 11:22)

Paul rebukes the Corinthians for shaming the poor at the Lord’s Table: “Or do you despise the church of God and humiliate those who have nothing?” Here contempt fractures fellowship and empties the sacrament of its testimony to a unified body. The verse warns that social stratification, if imported into worship, profanes the very institution Christ ordained to proclaim equality in His blood.

Guarding Christian Example and Workplace Harmony (1 Timothy 4:12; 1 Timothy 6:2)

Timothy is exhorted, “Let no one despise your youth,” a call both for the young leader to live above reproach and for the congregation to honor God-given leadership regardless of age. In 1 Timothy 6:2, slaves with believing masters must not “show them disrespect because they are brothers.” Familiarity must not breed contempt; instead, shared faith should elevate diligence and respect.

Lawless Arrogance (2 Peter 2:10)

False teachers are characterized as those “who follow the corrupt desire of the flesh and despise authority.” Their contempt is systemic—toward the Lord’s sovereignty, toward moral restraints, and toward civil order. Such arrogance places them under certain judgment and serves as a cautionary tale against doctrinal and moral libertinism.

Historical Background

In classical literature the verb commonly described treating civic obligations, elders, or treaties as insignificant. Within the New Testament the stakes rise: contempt is measured not merely against social customs but against revealed truth and divine order, amplifying its seriousness.

Practical Ministry Implications

1. Preaching and counseling must expose the danger of taking God’s patience lightly (Romans 2:4) and urge immediate repentance.
2. Worship planning should reflect egalitarian fellowship, guarding against socioeconomic or generational contempt (1 Corinthians 11:22; 1 Timothy 4:12).
3. Discipleship material should highlight Christ’s scorn of shame (Hebrews 12:2) as motivation for believers facing ridicule for righteousness.
4. Children’s and mercy ministries gain theological weight from Matthew 18:10, affirming that to value the small is to honor God.
5. Church discipline must address any spirit that undermines rightful authority, whether in the home, workplace, or congregation (2 Peter 2:10; 1 Timothy 6:2).

Theological Synthesis

Scripture consistently portrays contempt as a barometer of the heart’s allegiance. When directed toward God, His grace, or His appointed structures, it invites severe judgment; when directed toward worldly shame for righteousness’ sake, it displays true faith. The believer is therefore called to cherish what God esteems and to trivialize only what He declares worthless—sin, shame for Christ’s sake, and the fleeting allure of mammon.

Forms and Transliterations
καταφρονεί καταφρόνει καταφρονεις καταφρονείς καταφρονεῖς καταφρονειτε καταφρονείτε καταφρονεῖτε καταφρονειτω καταφρονείτω καταφρονειτωσαν καταφρονείτωσαν καταφρονηθήσεται καταφρονησας καταφρονήσας καταφρονησει καταφρονήσει καταφρονησητε καταφρονήσητε καταφρονουντας καταφρονούντας καταφρονοῦντας καταφρονούντων καταφρονών κατεφρόνησάν κατεφρόνησας κατεφρόνουν kataphroneis kataphroneîs kataphroneite kataphroneîte kataphroneito kataphroneitō kataphroneíto kataphroneítō kataphroneitosan kataphroneitōsan kataphroneítosan kataphroneítōsan kataphronesas kataphronēsas kataphronḗsas kataphronesei kataphronēsei kataphronḗsei kataphronesete kataphronēsēte kataphronḗsete kataphronḗsēte kataphronountas kataphronoûntas
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Englishman's Concordance
Matthew 6:24 V-FIA-3S
GRK: τοῦ ἑτέρου καταφρονήσει οὐ δύνασθε
NAS: to one and despise the other.
KJV: and despise the other.
INT: the other he will despise not You are able

Matthew 18:10 V-ASA-2P
GRK: Ὁρᾶτε μὴ καταφρονήσητε ἑνὸς τῶν
NAS: See that you do not despise one
KJV: Take heed that ye despise not one
INT: See not you despise one of the

Luke 16:13 V-FIA-3S
GRK: τοῦ ἑτέρου καταφρονήσει οὐ δύνασθε
NAS: to one and despise the other.
KJV: and despise the other.
INT: the other he will despise not you are able

Romans 2:4 V-PIA-2S
GRK: τῆς μακροθυμίας καταφρονεῖς ἀγνοῶν ὅτι
NAS: Or do you think lightly of the riches
KJV: Or despisest thou the riches of his
INT: the patience despise you not knowing that

1 Corinthians 11:22 V-PIA-2P
GRK: τοῦ θεοῦ καταφρονεῖτε καὶ καταισχύνετε
NAS: Or do you despise the church
KJV: in? or despise ye the church of God,
INT: of God do you despise and put to shame

1 Timothy 4:12 V-PMA-3S
GRK: τῆς νεότητος καταφρονείτω ἀλλὰ τύπος
NAS: Let no one look down on your youthfulness,
KJV: Let no man despise thy youth;
INT: youth let despise but a pattern

1 Timothy 6:2 V-PMA-3P
GRK: δεσπότας μὴ καταφρονείτωσαν ὅτι ἀδελφοί
NAS: as their masters must not be disrespectful to them because
KJV: not despise [them], because
INT: masters not let them despise [them] because brothers

Hebrews 12:2 V-APA-NMS
GRK: σταυρὸν αἰσχύνης καταφρονήσας ἐν δεξιᾷ
NAS: the cross, despising the shame,
KJV: the cross, despising the shame,
INT: [the] cross [the] shame having despised at right hand

2 Peter 2:10 V-PPA-AMP
GRK: καὶ κυριότητος καταφρονοῦντας τολμηταί αὐθάδεις
NAS: desires and despise authority.
KJV: and despise government.
INT: and authority despise [They are] daring self-willed

Strong's Greek 2706
9 Occurrences


καταφρονήσας — 1 Occ.
καταφρονήσητε — 1 Occ.
καταφρονήσει — 2 Occ.
καταφρονεῖς — 1 Occ.
καταφρονεῖτε — 1 Occ.
καταφρονείτω — 1 Occ.
καταφρονείτωσαν — 1 Occ.
καταφρονοῦντας — 1 Occ.

2705
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