Lexical Summary katachraomai: To use fully, to misuse, to abuse Original Word: καταχράομαι 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 Originfrom kata and chraomai Definition to make full use of NASB Translation make full use (2). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 2710: καταχράομαικαταχράομαι, 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. 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) 2. Restraint toward personal rights (1 Corinthians 9:18) 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). Practical Ministry Implications 1. Financial integrity: Ministers may choose not to press every legitimate claim to avoid hindering gospel witness. Related Scriptural Parallels • 2 Corinthians 6:10 – “having nothing, and yet possessing everything” 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. Englishman's Concordance 1 Corinthians 7:31 V-PPM/P-NMPGRK: 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 Strong's Greek 2710 |
    |