"to reach, extend to; καθήκει, impers. it is fitting, meet, Acts 22:22; τὸ καθῆκον, what is fit, right, duty; τὰ μὴ καθήκοντα, by litotes for what is abominable or detestable, Rom. 1:28*"
Definition and meaning
to reach, extend to; καθήκει, impers. it is fitting, meet, Acts 22:22; τὸ καθῆκον, what is fit, right, duty; τὰ μὴ καθήκοντα, by litotes for what is abominable or detestable, Rom. 1:28*
In the original Greek the word is written: καθήκω
Historical context
The Roman Empire provided infrastructure no previous civilization had built — roads, sea routes, a common language in Greek, and relative peace across the Mediterranean. Jewish synagogues existed in every major city, giving Paul a starting point everywhere he traveled. The early church had no buildings, no political power, no social standing — and spread faster than any movement in ancient history.
The people who first heard this word were not reading a book — they were living through empires, oppression, exile, and covenant. Every word carried the weight of that reality. Understanding it changes how you read Scripture.
Scripture references
These are the most notable occurrences of katheko (G2520) across the King James Bible.
And they gave him audience unto this word, and then lifted up their voices, and said, Away with such a fellow from the earth: for it is not fit that he should live.
And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;
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Common questions
Strong's G2520 (katheko) is a Greek word that means: to reach, extend to; καθήκει, impers. it is fitting, meet, Acts 22:22; τὸ καθῆκον, what is fit, right, duty; τὰ μὴ καθήκοντα, by litotes for what is abominable or detestable, Rom. 1:28* It appears 2 times in the King James Bible.
The word katheko (G2520) appears 2 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G2520 is katheko, a Greek word defined as: to reach, extend to; καθήκει, impers. it is fitting, meet, Acts 22:22; τὸ καθῆκον, what is fit, right, duty; τὰ μὴ καθήκοντα, by litotes for what is a. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
katheko is a Greek word found in the New Testament.