2710. katachraomai
Lexical Summary
katachraomai: To use fully, to misuse, to abuse

Original Word: καταχράομαι
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: katachraomai
Pronunciation: kat-akh-rah'-om-ahee
Phonetic Spelling: (kat-akh-rah'-om-ahee)
KJV: abuse
NASB: make full use
Word Origin: [from G2596 (κατά - according) and G5530 (χράομαι - use)]

1. to overuse, i.e. misuse

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
overuse, misuse, abuse.

From kata and chraomai; to overuse, i.e. Misuse -- abuse.

see GREEK kata

see GREEK chraomai

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
from kata and chraomai
Definition
to make full use of
NASB Translation
make full use (2).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon
STRONGS NT 2710: καταχράομαι

καταχράομαι, καταχρωμαι; 1 aorist middle infinitive καταχρήσασθαι; in classical Greek

1. to use much or excessively or ill.

2. to use up, consume by use (German verbrauchen).

3. to use fully, the κατά intensifying the force of the simple verb (German gebrauchen) (Plato, Demosthenes, Diodorus, Josephus, others): 1 Corinthians 7:31 (cf. Buttmann, § 133, 18; Winer's Grammar, 209f (197)); τίνι, 1 Corinthians 9:18.

Topical Lexicon
Overview

Strong’s Greek 2710 captures the idea of “using something to the full” and, by extension, “over-using” or “exploiting.” The Apostle Paul employs the verb twice, both times in 1 Corinthians, to instruct believers on godly restraint—whether with the passing structures of this world or with legitimate personal rights in ministry.

Occurrences in Scripture

1. 1 Corinthians 7:31 “Those who use the world, as if not making full use of it. For the present form of this world is passing away.”

2. 1 Corinthians 9:18 “That in preaching the gospel I may offer it free of charge, so as not to make full use of my rights in preaching the gospel.”

Contextual Emphasis

1. Restraint toward the world (1 Corinthians 7:31)
• The verb highlights a balanced engagement: believers interact with earthly systems without becoming dependent on them.
• Paul links this self-limitation to eschatology—the transient nature of the present age motivates sober, measured participation.

2. Restraint toward personal rights (1 Corinthians 9:18)
• Paul voluntarily limits his legitimate apostolic rights (financial support) to remove obstacles to the gospel.
• The verb underscores purposeful self-denial, contrasting cultural norms that prized patronage and public honor.

Historical and Cultural Insights

Ancient Corinth valued social status, patron-client relationships, and the full exercise of civic privileges. By choosing “not to make full use,” Paul subverts these norms. His stance reflects the broader Greco-Roman virtue of enkrateia (self-control) yet roots that virtue in Christlike service rather than stoic self-sufficiency.

Theological Significance

• Eschatological Perspective: Awareness that “the present form of this world is passing away” re-orients priorities, encouraging believers to handle temporal resources lightly (cf. Matthew 6:19-21).
• Christlike Pattern: Paul’s voluntary limitation echoes Jesus Christ, “who, existing in the form of God…emptied Himself” (Philippians 2:6-7). True authority is displayed through sacrificial service.
• Freedom Redefined: Christian freedom includes the liberty to relinquish rights for the sake of others (1 Corinthians 10:23-24; Galatians 5:13).

Practical Ministry Implications

1. Financial integrity: Ministers may choose not to press every legitimate claim to avoid hindering gospel witness.
2. Cultural engagement: Believers participate in commerce, education, and politics without over-identifying with transient systems.
3. Discipleship: Teaching new believers to distinguish between rightful use of creation and exploitative overuse promotes stewardship and contentment.

Related Scriptural Parallels

2 Corinthians 6:10 – “having nothing, and yet possessing everything”
Colossians 3:1-2 – “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.”
1 Peter 2:16 – “Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil.”

Summary

Strong’s 2710 encapsulates Paul’s call to sober, self-controlled engagement with both worldly resources and ministerial rights. By refusing to “use to the full,” believers demonstrate that their treasure, authority, and identity rest in the eternal kingdom rather than in passing advantages.

Forms and Transliterations
καταχρησασθαι καταχρήσασθαι καταχρύσεα καταχρύσωσε καταχρυσώσεις καταχρύσωσεν καταχρωμενοι καταχρώμενοι κατάχυσις καταχωρίσαι καταχώσουσιν κατέχρισεν κατεχρύσωσε κατεχρύσωσεν κατεχωρίσθη katachresasthai katachrēsasthai katachrḗsasthai katachromenoi katachrōmenoi katachrṓmenoi
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Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
1 Corinthians 7:31 V-PPM/P-NMP
GRK: ὡς μὴ καταχρώμενοι παράγει γὰρ
NAS: as though they did not make full use of it; for the form
KJV: as not abusing [it]: for the fashion
INT: as not using [it] as their own passes away indeed

1 Corinthians 9:18 V-ANM
GRK: τὸ μὴ καταχρήσασθαι τῇ ἐξουσίᾳ
NAS: so as not to make full use of my right
KJV: without charge, that I abuse not my
INT: not using up the right

Strong's Greek 2710
2 Occurrences


καταχρήσασθαι — 1 Occ.
καταχρώμενοι — 1 Occ.

2709
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