Greek word · G2509
καθάπερ
kathaper
just as
"Just as some of them": a formula of comparison.
Appears 13 times in 13 verses of the Greek New Testament. ·
What it means
καθάπερ (for καθ᾽ ἅπερ = καθά) adv.,
[in LXX for אֲשֶׁר, Genesis 12:4, Exodus 7:6, al. ;]
just as, even as: Romans 3:4 4:6 9:13 10:15 11:8 12:4, 1 Corinthians 10:10 12:12, 2 Corinthians 1:14 3:13 3:18 8:11, 1 Thessalonians 2:11 3:6 3:12 4:6, Hebrews 4:2.†
(AS)
From G. Abbott-Smith, A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament (1922), via STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0).
In depth
From the study of 1 Corinthians 10:10
- Range of meaning
"Just as some of them": a formula of comparison.
- Against the English
English versions agree. Some (KJV, WEB, YLT) add "also" because their Greek text has καί.
- Used elsewhere in the period
Paul repeats "some of them" in vv.7, 8, 9 and 10. Each sin is tied to a particular subgroup and a particular episode from Exodus or Numbers.
From the study of 1 Thessalonians 2:11
- Range of meaning
'Exactly as you know': an appeal to facts the audience knows firsthand. Oida is perfect in form ('have come to know') and present in meaning. Kathaper is an emphatic form of 'as'.
- Against the English
Translations render it 'as you know' or 'for you know'. BSB's 'for' makes it sound like the grounds for a claim. The Greek simply appeals to shared memory.
- Used elsewhere in the period
The phrase or close forms recur throughout 1 Thessalonians 2: 'you yourselves know' (2:1), 'as you know' (2:2, 2:5), 'you remember' (2:9), 'you are witnesses' (2:10). In ancient speeches, appealing to the audience's own knowledge was a standard way of answering charges.
- Range of meaning
'Just as … so': a formal comparison. Kathaper is the stronger, more literary form of kathōs or hōsper.
- Against the English
English 'just as' renders it well. What English versions can hide is that verse 4 is only the first half of a sentence that ends in verse 5. BSB's comma at the end of verse 4 keeps this visible.
- Used elsewhere in the period
Used by Paul for careful comparisons elsewhere (Rom 4:6; 1 Cor 12:12, which opens the same body comparison with the same word; 2 Cor 3:13).
Similar words
Where it appears
Romans · 2
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Romans 4:6 καθάπερ just as
And David speaks likewise of the blessedness of the man to whom God credits righteousness apart from works:
Here: A strong comparison word ('exactly as'). It ties David's testimony tightly to what Paul has just said about Abraham in 4:3–5: this is the same thing, not merely something similar.
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Romans 12:4 καθάπερ Just as
Just as each of us has one body with many members, and not all members have the same function,
Here: Opens a comparison that is finished by 'so' (houtōs) in verse 5. It is a stronger, more careful word than plain 'as': 'in exactly the way that…'.
1 Corinthians · 2
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1 Corinthians 10:10 καθάπερ just as
And do not complain, as some of them did, and were killed by the destroying angel.
Here: A slightly stronger "as" than the usual καθώς. It sets the Corinthians beside the wilderness generation as a direct parallel.
-
1 Corinthians 12:12 Καθάπερ Just as
The body is a unit, though it is composed of many parts. And although its parts are many, they all form one body. So it is with Christ.
Here: A strong comparison word, a bit more formal than the ordinary "as". It sets up a full comparison that is only completed at the very end with "so also".
2 Corinthians · 4
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2 Corinthians 1:14 καθάπερ even as
as you have already understood us in part, that you may boast of us just as we will boast of you in the day of our Lord Jesus.
Here: A stronger 'just as'. It makes the pride exactly two-way.
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2 Corinthians 3:13 καθάπερ as
We are not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face to keep the Israelites from gazing at the end of what was fading away.
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2 Corinthians 3:18 καθάπερ even as
And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into His image with intensifying glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.
Here: "As you would expect" from such a source. It explains why the change happens, given where it comes from.
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2 Corinthians 8:11 καθάπερ just as
Now finish the work, so that you may complete it with the same eager desire, according to your means.
1 Thessalonians · 4
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1 Thessalonians 2:11 καθάπερ just as
For you know that we treated each of you as a father treats his own children—
Here: A stronger form of 'as' (kathōs). It means 'exactly as' and ties what follows to what the readers already know firsthand. In this letter Paul uses it to say 'you were there, you saw it'.
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1 Thessalonians 3:6 καθάπερ just as
But just now, Timothy has returned from his visit with the good news about your faith, your love, and the fond memories you have preserved, longing to see us just as we long to see you.
Here: A strong comparison: exactly as. The longing runs both ways equally.
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1 Thessalonians 3:12 καθάπερ just as
And may the Lord cause you to increase and overflow with love for one another and for everyone else, just as our love for you overflows,
Here: A slightly emphatic 'just as', setting up Paul's own love as the pattern.
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1 Thessalonians 4:5 καθάπερ as
not in lustful passion like the Gentiles who do not know God;
Here: A slightly stronger 'as'. It brings in the comparison: this is the way outsiders behave, and it must not be your way.
Hebrews · 1
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Hebrews 4:2 καθάπερ just as
For we also received the good news just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, since they did not share the faith of those who comprehended it.
Here: A strong word of comparison, 'exactly as'. It makes the two groups match point for point.
Word data: STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0), main text only.