UBS Dictionary of the Greek New Testament

Sense 1: to boast against, to degrade

Semantic entry: 33.370

Semantic domains: Communication

Subdomains: Boast

Definition: to boast about something by downgrading something else

Notes: In many languages it may not be possible to use an expression such as ‘to boast against.’ Therefore, in rendering μὴ κατακαυχῶ τῶν κλάδων in RV ROM 11:18 · LV ROM 11:18 · Read together ROM 11:18 one may use ‘you must not say that you are so much better than the branches.’ For another interpretation of κατακαυχάομαι in RV ROM 11:18 · LV ROM 11:18 · Read together ROM 11:18, see 88.194: κατακαυχάομαι.

Sense 2: to despise, to look down on

Semantic entry: 88.194

Semantic domains: Moral and Ethical Qualities and Related Behavior

Subdomains: Despise, Scorn, Contempt

Definition: to despise, with the implication of regarding oneself as superior

Notes: For another interpretation of κατακαυχάομαι in RV ROM 11:18 · LV ROM 11:18 · Read together ROM 11:18, see 33.370: κατακαυχάομαι.

Sense 3: to be more powerful than, to triumph over

Semantic entry: 74.11

Semantic domains: Able, Capable

Definition: to have greater power or potential than

Notes: The reference to ‘mercy’ and ‘judgment’ in RV JAM 2:13 · LV JAM 2:13 · Read together JAM 2:13 must be related to God’s mercy and judgment.|In a number of languages it is not possible to personify mercy and judgment, and therefore one must relate these two expressions to God, for example, ‘the extent to which God shows mercy is even more than the way in which he judges’ or ‘God shows mercy even more than he judges.’