κατά
Down, against, according to
κατά is a relatively flexible and context-dependent word. Its root meaning is down. In composition, it retains its root meaning while it intensifies, alters, or adds nuance to the base word.
Three of the eight cases utilize κατά: Genitive to express “down” or “against (contrary to)”, ablative to convey “down from”, to emphasize separation, and accusative to communicate “according to”, “with reference to”, or “as measured by”.
In Matthew 1:20, the accusative case uses κατά to indicate that, according to a dream, Joseph was informed not to be afraid to take Mary for his wife. After the Magi did not return to Herod, he sent men into Bethlehem and all its districts to destroy any child two years or younger according to the time which the Magi had determined the King of the Jews was born (Matthew 2:16). Paul records he was separated unto the gospel of God which He promised before by the prophets concerning Jesus Christ who was born of David according to the flesh, and declared the Son of God according to the Spirit of Holiness out from the resurrection of the dead (Romans 1:1–4).
In Matthew 5:11, the genitive case uses κατά to mean ‘against’. “Happy are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of malignant evil against you ...” Every man that prays having a covering down upon his head, dishonors his head (1 Corinthians 11:4).
The ablative case employs κατά to convey separation. In Mark 5:13, κατά expresses “down from.” The herd ran down from the steep place into the sea and drowned. The assemblies in Macedonia sent a gift to assist the saints in Jerusalem. Even though they were under great trial and affliction, the abundance of their joy and down from their deep poverty, they abounded in the riches of their liberty in Christ (2 Corinthians 8:2).
κατά, in composition, conveys a rich array of context-dependent meanings.
γνύω (break down) uses κατά to emphasize breaking into pieces, shattering, or crushing. Herod permitted the Jews to crush the legs of the men hanging on the crosses because it was the Preparation Day (John 19:31). During Christ’s earthly ministry, He did not resist the evil of the leaders who rejected Him. He walked in such a manner as not to crush a bruised reed (Matthew 12:20).
When κατά is used with ἀργέω / ἀργός (idle, ineffective, without effect), it expresses rendering ineffective. In Romans 6:6, the sin nature is rendered ineffective for those who are in Christ. The law is rendered ineffective in Christ (Romans 7:6). In 1 Corinthians 13:8, when the full revelation comes, that which is out from a part is rendered ineffective. The completion of the canon of Scripture also impacts the Spiritual gift of knowledge. Christ rendered death ineffective through His resurrection (2 Timothy 1:10).
Employing κατά with ἀλλάσσω (to exchange) conveys reconciliation. While we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son (Romans 5:10). A woman who separates from her husband, having no right to divorce, is to remain unmarried or reconcile with her husband (1 Corinthians 7:11). As ambassadors of Christ, we are to encourage the world to be reconciled to God (2 Corinthians 5:20).
Using κατά with ἐργάζομαι (work) means to work out thoroughly or accomplish. The sin nature thoroughly works out death through what is good (Romans 7:13). Godly sorrow works out a change of mind, in contrast to worldly sorrow that produces death (2 Corinthians 7:10). The testing for approval of our faith thoroughly works out patience (James 1:3).