Word Studies¶
G2673 -- katargeo (done away / abolished)¶
Original: katageo Transliteration: katargeo Pronunciation: kat-arg-eh'-o Part of Speech: verb Definition: From kata and argeo; to be (render) entirely idle (useless), literally or figuratively. To make void, abolish, render inoperative, cause to cease. BLB Count: 27 NT occurrences
Translations (32 total translation instances)¶
| Translation | Count | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| shall destroy | 2 | 6.2% |
| is done away | 2 | 6.2% |
| cumbereth | 1 | 3.1% |
| make void | 1 | 3.1% |
| without effect | 1 | 3.1% |
| made of none effect | 1 | 3.1% |
| might be destroyed | 1 | 3.1% |
| she is loosed | 1 | 3.1% |
| we are delivered | 1 | 3.1% |
| bring to nought | 1 | 3.1% |
| come to nought | 1 | 3.1% |
| they shall fail | 1 | 3.1% |
| shall vanish away | 1 | 3.1% |
| shall be done away | 1 | 3.1% |
| I put away | 1 | 3.1% |
| he shall have put down | 1 | 3.1% |
| shall be destroyed | 1 | 3.1% |
| was to be done away | 1 | 3.1% |
| of that which is abolished | 1 | 3.1% |
| Having abolished | 1 | 3.1% |
| hath abolished | 1 | 3.1% |
| he might destroy | 1 | 3.1% |
| ceased | 1 | 3.1% |
| is become of no effect | 1 | 3.1% |
| of none effect | 1 | 3.1% |
All 27 NT Occurrences¶
| Verse | Translation Context |
|---|---|
| Luke 13:7 | "cumbereth it" -- fig tree makes ground useless |
| Romans 3:3 | "make...without effect" -- shall unbelief make faith without effect? |
| Romans 3:31 | "make void" -- Do we make void the law? God forbid! |
| Romans 4:14 | "made of none effect" -- promise made of none effect |
| Romans 6:6 | "might be destroyed" -- body of sin destroyed |
| Romans 7:2 | "she is loosed" -- loosed from law of husband |
| Romans 7:6 | "we are delivered" -- delivered from the law |
| 1 Corinthians 1:28 | "bring to nought" -- bring to nought things that are |
| 1 Corinthians 2:6 | "come to nought" -- princes that come to nought |
| 1 Corinthians 6:13 | "shall destroy" -- God shall destroy both meats and belly |
| 1 Corinthians 13:8 | "they shall fail" -- prophecies shall fail |
| 1 Corinthians 13:10 | "shall be done away" -- that which is in part done away |
| 1 Corinthians 13:11 | "I put away" -- I put away childish things |
| 1 Corinthians 15:24 | "he shall have put down" -- put down all rule |
| 1 Corinthians 15:26 | "shall be destroyed" -- last enemy destroyed is death |
| 2 Corinthians 3:7 | "was to be done away" -- which [glory] was to be done away |
| 2 Corinthians 3:11 | "is done away" -- that which is done away [was] glorious |
| 2 Corinthians 3:13 | "is abolished" -- end of that which is abolished |
| 2 Corinthians 3:14 | "is done away" -- which [veil] is done away in Christ |
| Galatians 3:17 | "should make...of none effect" -- cannot disannul/make of none effect |
| Galatians 5:4 | "is become of no effect" -- Christ is become of no effect unto you |
| Galatians 5:11 | "ceased" -- then is the offence of the cross ceased |
| Ephesians 2:15 | "Having abolished" -- having abolished the law of commandments in ordinances |
| 2 Thessalonians 2:8 | "shall destroy" -- shall destroy with brightness of his coming |
| 2 Timothy 1:10 | "hath abolished" -- hath abolished death |
| Hebrews 2:14 | "he might destroy" -- destroy him that had the power of death |
Critical Note on Semantic Range¶
katargeo does NOT always mean "permanently abolish." Its semantic range includes: - Make idle/useless (Luke 13:7 -- tree cumbering ground) - Render inoperative (Rom 6:6 -- body of sin rendered inoperative) - Loosen from (Rom 7:2 -- wife loosed from law of dead husband) - Supersede (1 Cor 13:10 -- partial superseded by complete) - Put away (1 Cor 13:11 -- childish things put away) - Destroy (1 Cor 15:26 -- death destroyed) - Abolish (Eph 2:15 -- dogma-based ordinances abolished) - Make void (Rom 3:31 -- Paul emphatically DENIES making law void with this same verb)
G1248 -- diakonia (ministry / ministration)¶
Original: diakonia Transliteration: diakonia Pronunciation: dee-ak-on-ee'-ah Part of Speech: feminine noun Definition: From diakonos; attendance (as a servant, etc.); figuratively. Ministry, service, ministration. BLB Count: 34 NT occurrences Gender: FEMININE
Translations (36 total instances)¶
| Translation | Count | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| ministry | 12 | 33.3% |
| ministration | 4 | 11.1% |
| ministering | 3 | 8.3% |
| service | 3 | 8.3% |
| the ministry | 3 | 8.3% |
| serving | 1 | 2.8% |
| relief | 1 | 2.8% |
| office | 1 | 2.8% |
| administrations | 1 | 2.8% |
| administration | 1 | 2.8% |
Key Verses in 2 Corinthians 3¶
- v.7 -- "the ministration (diakonia) of death" (Nom Sg Feminine)
- v.8 -- "the ministration (diakonia) of the spirit"
- v.9 -- "the ministration (diakonia) of condemnation" / "the ministration (diakonia) of righteousness"
Critical Observation¶
diakonia is FEMININE in gender. This is important for grammatical agreement analysis in 2 Cor 3:7-13. The word nomos (law) is MASCULINE and does NOT appear in 2 Corinthians 3. The subject throughout is the diakonia (ministry/administration), not the law itself.
G1391 -- doxa (glory)¶
Original: doxa Transliteration: doxa Pronunciation: dox'-ah Part of Speech: feminine noun Definition: From the base of dokeo; glory (as very apparent), in a wide application. BLB Count: 168 occurrences (OT + NT) Gender: FEMININE
Translations (142 total KJV instances)¶
| Translation | Count | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| glory | 97 | 68.3% |
| the glory | 12 | 8.5% |
| glorious | 9 | 6.3% |
| of glory | 8 | 5.6% |
| honour | 2 | 1.4% |
| worship | 1 | 0.7% |
| praise | 1 | 0.7% |
Key Occurrences in 2 Corinthians 3¶
- v.7 -- "was glorious (en doxe)" / "the glory (ten doxan) of his countenance"
- v.8 -- "be rather glorious (en doxe)"
- v.9 -- "be glory (doxa)" / "exceed in glory (doxe)"
- v.10 -- "that which was made glorious (dedoxasmenon)" / "the glory (doxes) that excelleth"
- v.11 -- "[was] glorious (dia doxes)" / "[is] glorious (en doxe)"
- v.18 -- "glory (doxan) of the Lord" / "from glory (doxes) to glory (doxan)"
Critical Grammatical Note¶
doxa is FEMININE. In v.7, the participle katargoumenen ("being done away") is Acc Sg FEMININE -- it agrees with doxan (glory, Acc Sg Feminine), NOT with nomos (law, masculine) or diakonia (ministry, feminine nominative).
G2571 -- kalumma (veil)¶
Original: kalumma Transliteration: kalumma Pronunciation: kal'-oo-mah Part of Speech: neuter noun Definition: From kalupto; a cover, i.e. veil. BLB Count: 4 NT occurrences (all in 2 Cor 3) Gender: NEUTER
All Occurrences¶
| Verse | KJV Translation |
|---|---|
| 2 Corinthians 3:13 | "a vail" (Acc Sg Neuter) |
| 2 Corinthians 3:14 | "the same vail" (Nom Sg Neuter) |
| 2 Corinthians 3:15 | "the vail" |
| 2 Corinthians 3:16 | "the vail" |
Critical Note¶
kalumma is NEUTER. In v.14, katargeitai (Present Passive Indicative 3rd Sg) has the neuter kalumma as its most proximate subject: "the same veil...is done away in Christ." The verb has no gender marking in 3rd singular indicative form, but the contextual subject is the veil (neuter), not the old covenant (feminine diatheke).
Compare with G2665 -- katapetasma (temple veil)¶
katapetasma (neuter) = the temple curtain/veil (Matt 27:51; Mk 15:38; Lk 23:45; Heb 6:19; 9:3; 10:20). This is distinct from kalumma (personal/spiritual veil in 2 Cor 3). Different words for different veils.
G1795 -- entupoo (engrave / enstamp)¶
Original: entupoo Transliteration: entupoo Pronunciation: en-too-po'-o Part of Speech: verb Definition: From en and a derivative of tupos; to enstamp, i.e. engrave. BLB Count: 1 NT occurrence
Only Occurrence¶
- 2 Corinthians 3:7 -- "engraven" (enteteupomene -- Perfect Passive Participle, Nom Sg FEMININE)
Critical Grammar Note¶
In 2 Cor 3:7, enteteupomene is parsed as Perfect Passive Participle, Nominative Singular FEMININE. It modifies diakonia (feminine), which is the grammatical subject: "the ministry (diakonia, fem) of death, in letters having-been-engraved (enteteupomene, fem) on stones." The engraving is attributed to the diakonia, not independently to the law.
G3035 -- lithinos (of stone / stony)¶
Original: lithinos Transliteration: lithinos Pronunciation: lith-ee'-nos Part of Speech: adjective Definition: From lithos; stony, i.e. made of stone. BLB Count: 3 occurrences
All Occurrences¶
| Verse | KJV Translation |
|---|---|
| John 2:6 | "stone" (waterpots of stone) |
| 2 Corinthians 3:3 | "of stone" (tables of stone) |
| Revelation 9:20 | "of stone" (idols of stone) |
G1449 -- engrapho (write in / inscribe)¶
Original: engrapho Transliteration: engrapho Pronunciation: eng-graf'-o Part of Speech: verb Definition: From en and grapho; to "engrave", i.e. inscribe. BLB Count: 2 NT occurrences
All Occurrences¶
| Verse | KJV Translation |
|---|---|
| Luke 10:20 | "written" (names written in heaven) |
| 2 Corinthians 3:2 | "written" (written in our hearts) |
| 2 Corinthians 3:3 | "written" (not with ink but with the Spirit) |
G2633 -- katakrisis (condemnation -- the act)¶
Original: katakrisis Transliteration: katakrisis Pronunciation: kat-ak'-ree-sis Part of Speech: noun (verbal noun -- the act of condemning) Definition: From katakrino; sentencing adversely (the act). BLB Count: 2 NT occurrences
All Occurrences¶
| Verse | KJV Translation |
|---|---|
| 2 Corinthians 3:9 | "of condemnation" -- "the ministration of condemnation" |
| 2 Corinthians 7:3 | "condemn" -- "I speak not this to condemn you" |
Compare with G2631 -- katakrima (condemnation -- the verdict)¶
katakrima = the verdict/sentence itself (noun). 3 occurrences: Rom 5:16, 5:18, 8:1 ("no condemnation to them in Christ Jesus")
G3009 -- leitourgia (public function / liturgy)¶
Original: leitourgia Transliteration: leitourgia Pronunciation: li-toorg-ee'-ah Part of Speech: feminine noun Definition: From leitourgos; public function (as priest/liturgist). BLB Count: 6 occurrences
Key Occurrences¶
| Verse | KJV Translation |
|---|---|
| Luke 1:23 | "ministration" (Zacharias' priestly ministry) |
| 2 Corinthians 9:12 | "service" (this service of ministry) |
| Philippians 2:17 | "service" |
| Philippians 2:30 | "service" |
| Hebrews 8:6 | "ministry" (a more excellent ministry) |
| Hebrews 9:21 | "ministry" |
Note¶
leitourgia (priestly public function) is distinct from diakonia (general ministry/service). In 2 Cor 3, Paul uses diakonia, not leitourgia. Hebrews 8:6 uses leitourgia for Christ's priesthood.
G4109 -- plax (tablet / flat surface)¶
Original: plax Transliteration: plax Pronunciation: plax Part of Speech: feminine noun Definition: A moulding-board, i.e. flat surface ("plate", or tablet). BLB Count: 3 occurrences
All Occurrences¶
| Verse | Context |
|---|---|
| 2 Corinthians 3:3 | "tables (plaxin) of stone" AND "tables (plaxin) of the heart" |
| Hebrews 9:4 | "tables (plakes) of the covenant" |
Critical Note¶
The SAME word plax is used for both the stone tablets and the heart tablets in 2 Cor 3:3. The content is transferred from one plax to another -- from stone to heart. The word itself does not change; only the medium changes.
G1121 -- gramma (letter / writing)¶
Original: gramma Transliteration: gramma Pronunciation: gram'-mah Part of Speech: neuter noun Definition: From grapho; a writing, i.e. a letter, note, epistle, book, etc.; plural: learning. BLB Count: 15 occurrences Gender: NEUTER
Key Occurrences¶
| Verse | KJV Translation |
|---|---|
| Luke 16:6 | "bill" |
| John 5:47 | "writings" (Moses' writings) |
| John 7:15 | "letters" (How knoweth this man letters?) |
| Acts 26:24 | "learning" (much learning doth make thee mad) |
| Acts 28:21 | "letters" (neither received letters) |
| Romans 2:27 | "the letter" (uncircumcision...fulfil the law, judge thee who by the letter and circumcision dost transgress the law) |
| Romans 2:29 | "the letter" (in the spirit, and not in the letter) |
| Romans 7:6 | "the letter" (serve in newness of spirit, not in the oldness of the letter) |
| 2 Corinthians 3:6 | "the letter" (not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth) |
| 2 Corinthians 3:7 | "letters" (in letters having been engraved on stones) |
| Galatians 6:11 | "a letter" (how large a letter I have written) |
| 2 Timothy 3:15 | "scriptures" (the holy scriptures) |
Critical Note¶
gramma in 2 Cor 3:6 ("the letter killeth") does not mean the law is evil. Compare with Rom 7:6 which uses the same gramma/pneuma contrast. The "letter" (external written code without the Spirit) kills because it condemns without providing the power to obey. The "spirit" (the same law internalized by the Holy Spirit) gives life.
G4151 -- pneuma (spirit)¶
Original: pneuma Transliteration: pneuma Pronunciation: pnyoo'-mah Part of Speech: neuter noun Definition: From pneo; a current of air, i.e. breath (blast) or a breeze; by analogy or figuratively, a spirit. BLB Count: 385 occurrences (OT + NT) Gender: NEUTER
Key Occurrences in 2 Corinthians 3¶
- v.3 -- "with the Spirit (pneumati) of the living God"
- v.6 -- "not of the letter, but of the spirit (pneumatos): for the letter killeth, but the spirit (pneuma) giveth life"
- v.8 -- "the ministration of the spirit (pneumatos)"
- v.17 -- "the Lord is that Spirit (pneuma)" / "the Spirit (pneuma) of the Lord"
- v.18 -- "by the Spirit (pneumatos) of the Lord"
G1392 -- doxazo (to glorify)¶
Original: doxazo Transliteration: doxazo Pronunciation: dox-ad'-zo Part of Speech: verb Definition: From doxa; to render (or esteem) glorious. BLB Count: 62 occurrences
Key Occurrences¶
| Verse | Note |
|---|---|
| Exodus 34:29 | LXX uses doxazo for Moses' face shining |
| Exodus 34:35 | LXX uses doxazo for Moses' face shining |
| 2 Corinthians 3:10 | "that which was made glorious (dedoxasmenon)" |
Hebrew Word Studies¶
H2801 -- charath (engrave / grave)¶
Original: charath Transliteration: charath Pronunciation: khaw-rath' Part of Speech: verb Definition: A primitive root; to engrave. BLB Count: 1 occurrence (in KJV translation data)
Key Occurrence¶
- Exodus 32:16 -- "the writing [was] the writing of God, graven (charath) upon the tables"
H3789 -- kathab (write)¶
Original: kathab Transliteration: kathab Pronunciation: kaw-thab' Part of Speech: verb Definition: A primitive root; to grave, by implication, to write (describe, inscribe, prescribe, subscribe). BLB Count: 223 occurrences
Key Occurrences for This Study¶
| Verse | Context |
|---|---|
| Exodus 24:12 | "commandments which I have written" (God writes) |
| Exodus 31:18 | "written with the finger of God" |
| Exodus 32:15 | "the tables [were] written on both their sides" |
| Exodus 34:1 | "I will write upon [these] tables" |
| Exodus 34:27 | "Write thou these words" (Moses writes additional words) |
| Deuteronomy 9:10 | "two tables of stone written with the finger of God" |
| Deuteronomy 10:4 | "he wrote on the tables...the ten commandments" |
| Jeremiah 31:33 | "I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts" |
Critical Note¶
The same verb kathab is used for God writing the Decalogue on stone (Exo 31:18; Deu 9:10; 10:4) AND for God writing the law on hearts (Jer 31:33). The content does not change; the medium changes from stone to heart.
H8451 -- torah (law / instruction)¶
Original: torah (towrah) Transliteration: towrah Pronunciation: to-raw' Part of Speech: feminine noun Definition: From yarah; a precept or statute, especially the Decalogue or Pentateuch. BLB Count: 219 occurrences
Key Occurrence¶
- Jeremiah 31:33 -- "I will put my law (torati) in their inward parts"
Critical Note¶
In Jer 31:33, God says "my law" (torati) -- possessive. This is God's own torah that He will write on hearts. The new covenant does not introduce a different law; it writes the SAME divine torah on a different medium (hearts instead of stone).