ἀντέχω

From the study of Matthew 6:24

Range of meaning

Antechomai (middle voice) with the genitive means to hold fast to, cling to, take the part of, be devoted to (Titus 1:9, 'holding firmly to the trustworthy word'; 1 Thess 5:14, 'help/hold on to the weak'). Kataphroneō with the genitive means to look down on, treat with contempt, think little of, disregard (Matt 18:10; Heb 12:2; 1 Tim 4:12) (BDAG s.vv.).

Against the English

'Be devoted to' (BSB, WEB, NIV) catches the loyalty. 'Hold to' (KJV, YLT) catches the physical picture of gripping. 'Despise' is right, but modern readers may hear only active disgust. The Greek also covers dismissive neglect: treating the other master's claims as not mattering.

Used elsewhere in the period

Kataphroneō is common in Greek ethics for treating something as beneath notice. In the Greek Old Testament it is used for scorning God or his word (e.g. Prov 13:13).

From the study of 1 Thessalonians 5:14

Range of meaning

In the middle voice with a genitive object: to hold firmly to, cling to, stand by, be devoted to, take an interest in, care for.

Against the English

"Help" (BSB, NIV, ESV, NASB) is accurate but flat. "Support" (KJV, WEB, YLT) is closer to the picture of physically holding someone up. NLT's "take tender care of" catches the commitment but adds a tenderness the word does not itself specify. The Greek picture is gripping someone and not letting go.

Used elsewhere in the period

Matt 6:24 / Luke 16:13: one will "be devoted to" (anthexetai) one master. Titus 1:9: an elder must "hold fast" the trustworthy word. In the Septuagint it describes clinging to God or to wisdom (e.g. Prov 4:6; Isa 56:2, 4, 6 of holding fast the covenant). In papyri it can mean to take up and look after a matter or a person's interests.

From the study of Luke 16:13

Range of meaning

Antechomai (middle voice) means to hold fast to, cling to, stand by, or support. Kataphroneō means to look down on, think little of, disregard, or treat as unimportant.

Against the English

BSB has 'be devoted to / despise', KJV and WEB 'hold to / despise', YLT 'hold to / be heedless of'. YLT's 'heedless' best captures kataphroneō as neglect. 'Despise' can sound like active loathing.

How it drifted

Modern 'despise' has narrowed toward intense disgust, while kataphroneō often means plain disregard.

Used elsewhere in the period

Antechomai: Matt 6:24; 1 Thess 5:14 ('help', literally 'hold onto', the weak); Titus 1:9 ('holding fast to the trustworthy word'). Kataphroneō: Matt 18:10 ('do not look down on one of these little ones'); Rom 2:4; Heb 12:2 ('disregarding the shame').