A proclamation (especially of the gospel; by implication, the gospel itself)
Reading a lexicon entry
What this page is: Each lexicon entry shows the original Hebrew or Greek word behind the English translation: its meaning, its range of use, and where it appears in Scripture.
Strong's number: The Strong's code (H- or G-) is the standard reference number for this word. It connects this entry to chapter and passage language tabs.
Where it appears: The witness passages show where this word is used in context. Click any to open the study page for that passage.
This lexicon entry is part of our ongoing editorial review. If you notice missing content, unclear wording, or a possible correction, please send us a note through theConnect page. Screenshots are helpful.
Kērygma means proclamation, the publicly announced message, especially the apostolic gospel. Paul says God saves believers through what the world calls the foolishness of proclamation, not through human wisdom.
Reader summary
Full entry for κήρυγμα (G2782) · Open the biblical lexicon
Kērygma means proclamation, the publicly announced message, especially the apostolic gospel. Paul says God saves believers through what the world calls the foolishness of proclamation, not through human wisdom.
The BSB source-word alignment has 8 aligned rows for this entry. Common renderings include preaching (4), [the] proclamation (1), message (1), proclamation (1), was preached (1).
The source-word alignment first shows this entry at Matthew 12:41. Its strongest book concentrations include 1 Corinthians (3), 2 Timothy (1), Luke (1), Matthew (1).
Kērygma means proclamation, the publicly announced message, especially the apostolic gospel. Paul says God saves believers through what the world calls the foolishness of proclamation, not through human wisdom. Romans speaks of God strengthening believers according to Paul's gospel and the proclamation of Jesus Christ. Paul says the Lord stood by him so the proclamation might be fully accomplished and all nations hear.
In Titus, God's word enters public view at the appointed season through a proclamation placed under apostolic command. The noun names the message and act publicly announced, not the preacher's platform, style, or celebrity. Its center is Jesus Christ and God's saving purpose.
Kērygma names public gospel announcement. God saves through the proclaimed Christ, strengthens churches through that message, enables witness to the nations, and manifests His word through entrusted proclamation.
For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know Him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe.
First Corinthians 1:21 says God was pleased through the foolishness of what is proclaimed to save those who believe. The contrast is with autonomous worldly wisdom, not careful explanation or learning.
Now to Him who is able to strengthen you by my gospel and by the proclamation of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery concealed for ages past
Romans 16:25 praises God who can strengthen believers according to Paul's gospel and proclamation of Jesus Christ, in harmony with the revealed mystery and prophetic Scriptures.
But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the message would be fully proclaimed, and all the Gentiles would hear it. So I was delivered from the mouth of the lion.
Second Timothy 4:17 says the Lord stood by Paul and strengthened him so the proclamation would be fully accomplished and all Gentiles might hear. The message advances through divine presence amid danger.
In His own time He has made His word evident in the proclamation entrusted to me by the command of God our Savior.
Titus 1:3 says God manifested His word at the proper time in proclamation entrusted to Paul by God's command. Public witness is commissioned stewardship, not private ownership.
BSB source-word alignment connects this entry to exact verse rows, English rendering, source form, transliteration, and parsing.
How English Renders ItA compact distribution from source-word alignment before the full evidence tables.
Greek word. The substance of the message proclaimed, distinct from the act of proclaiming itself.
Textus Receptus witness, full corpusGreek token appearances from Scrivener 1894 Textus Receptus in the full New Testament corpus.
8 Greek text appearances shown. Linked morphology labels have verse guides.
a proclamation, preaching
Read versea proclamation, preaching
Read versea proclamation, preaching
Read versea proclamation, preaching
Read versea proclamation, preaching
Read versea proclamation, preaching
Read versea proclamation, preaching
Read versea proclamation, preaching
Read verseFull New Testament corpus: 260 chapters, 7,957 verses, 140,628 tokens. Data source: honza/textus-receptus (data only), with authority check against byztxt/greektext-textus-receptus.
How this word appears across different grammatical cases and numbers.
This word appears as a noun across 4 case and number patterns. The form changes show how the word functions in a sentence; they do not change the basic lexical meaning by themselves.
Verse guides are not available for this word yet, so verse references remain plain evidence markers.
Selected passage-level study witnesses for this word. This section is not the full occurrence list.
Showing 1 selected witness from 8 lexical occurrence verses.
κήρυγμα is built from this root:
The purpose of Paul's strengthening was the continued proclamation of the gospel.2 Timothy 4:16-18
Compound and idiomatic phrases that include this word. Follow a link to study the phrase and how its parts work together.
Kērygma belongs to the message before it belongs to the messenger. Corinth's cultured world can call the cross foolish, yet God saves through the announced Christ rather than through systems that permit human boasting. Romans says this gospel strengthens believers and accords with prophetic Scripture. Near death, Paul credits the Lord for enabling proclamation to reach the nations, and Titus treats the task as an entrusted command at God's appointed time.
Churches should therefore value clear, public, scriptural preaching without confusing confidence with theatrics or influence with faithfulness. The preacher remains a steward under the message. Proclamation announces Jesus Christ, calls for faith and repentance, and depends on God's power rather than brand, manipulation, or celebrity.
1Cor.1.21
Kērygma is related to kēryssō, "to proclaim," and denotes a proclamation or the message publicly announced. In apostolic contexts it commonly refers to gospel content, though context must specify that content.
Heralds announce royal decrees and prophets publicly proclaim God's word. The New Testament's decisive announcement concerns Jesus the Messiah, His cross, resurrection, reign, and call.