Original Word: ὕβρις
Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine
Transliteration: hubris
Pronunciation: HOO-bris
Phonetic Spelling: (hoo'-bris)
KJV: harm, hurt, reproach
NASB: damage, insults
Word Origin: [from G5228 (ὑπέρ - behalf)]

1. insolence (as over-bearing), i.e. insult, injury

harm, hurt, reproach.

From huper; insolence (as over-bearing), i.e. Insult, injury -- harm, hurt, reproach.

see GREEK huper

Cognate: 5196 hýbris (a feminine noun) – that type (brand) of damage or injury where the reproach adds "insult to injury." See 5195 (hybrizō).

Word Origin
a prim. word
Definition
wantonness, insolence, an act of wanton violence
NASB Translation
damage (2), insults (1).

STRONGS NT 5196: ὕβρις

ὕβρις, ὑβρισεως, ἡ (from ὑπέρ ((see Curtius, p. 540); cf. Latinsuperbus, English 'uppishness')), from Homer down, the Sept. for גָּאון, גַּאֲוָה, זָדון, etc.;

a. insolence; impudence, pride, haughtiness.

b. a wrong springing from insolence, an injury, affront, insult (in Greek usage the mental injury and the wantonness of its infliction being prominent; cf. Cope on Aristotle, rhet. 1, 12, 26; 2, 2, 5; see ὑβριστής): properly, plural 2 Corinthians 12:10 (Hesychius ὕβρεις. τραύματα, ὀνείδη); tropically, injury inflicted by the violence of a tempest: Acts 27:10, 21 (τήν ἀπό τῶν ὀμβρων ὕβριν, Josephus, Antiquities 3, 6, 4; δείσασα θαλαττης ὕβριν, Anthol. 7, 291, 3; (cf. Pindar Pythagoras 1, 140)).

Overview

Strong’s Greek 5196 (hybris) denotes insolent arrogance that expresses itself in abusive words or reckless deeds. Throughout the New Testament it exposes the folly of self-confidence that ignores God and belittles His servants.

Occurrences in the New Testament

• Acts 27:10 – Paul warns, “Men, I can see that our voyage will incur damage and great loss, not only to the cargo and ship, but also to our lives.” The “damage” (hybris) points to ruin brought on by willful presumption.
• Acts 27:21 – After the storm strikes, Paul reminds the crew, “Men, you should have followed my advice not to sail from Crete. Then you would have averted this damage and loss.” Their earlier hybris is unmasked by the gale.
• 2 Corinthians 12:10 – “For the sake of Christ, then, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” Here hybris is translated “insults,” highlighting verbal contempt endured for Christ.

Biblical Themes

1. Human Presumption versus Divine Wisdom

In Acts 27 the seasoned sailors trust their own expertise over Paul’s Spirit-guided counsel. Their hybris propels them into a life-threatening tempest, illustrating Proverbs 3:5’s contrast between trusting the Lord and leaning on human understanding. Scripture consistently portrays arrogant self-reliance as a pathway to ruin (Proverbs 16:18).

2. The Believer’s Relationship to Insults

Paul places hybris among the trials he embraces “for the sake of Christ” (2 Corinthians 12:10). Insults become an arena for displaying Christ’s power, turning potential dishonor into testimony. This resonates with 1 Peter 4:14: “If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed.”

3. Judgment on Arrogant Society

Classical Greek used hybris for the pride that invites nemesis (divine retribution). The New Testament echoes this moral order: arrogance is self-destructive, yet God’s grace delivers the humble (James 4:6). Acts 27 foreshadows ultimate judgment on a world that refuses divine warning.

Historical and Cultural Insights

• In Greco-Roman maritime culture, captains prided themselves on daring winter voyages to gain commercial advantage. Paul’s rebuke shows prophetic concern for life over profit.
• Hybris carried judicial implications in Athens, covering crimes of violent outrage. By employing the term, Luke aligns the crew’s rash decision with criminal folly, not mere miscalculation.
• In Corinth, social honor was fiercely guarded; verbal slights threatened status. Paul’s willingness to “delight in insults” subverts that honor code and magnifies servant-hearted ministry.

Ministry Significance

1. Discernment: Spiritual leaders must sometimes warn against reckless initiatives masked as bold faith.
2. Humility: Receiving insults without retaliation models Christlike meekness and guards against bitterness.
3. Pastoral Care: Encourage believers facing verbal abuse that such opposition can become a platform for divine strength.
4. Evangelism: The collapse of human pride, as with the storm-tossed sailors, often opens hearts to the gospel (Acts 27:23-25).

Practical Exhortation

• Examine motives: bold ventures must spring from obedient faith, not showy ambition.
• Pursue Christ’s approval above human honor; verbal contempt cannot rob eternal inheritance.
• Teach congregations that God opposes hybris yet exalts the contrite (Psalm 34:18).

Summary

Strong’s 5196 unmasks the destructive arrogance that resists God, while highlighting the redemptive power displayed when believers endure insults for Christ. Whether through shipwrecks averted or reputations surrendered, Scripture calls the Church to reject hybris and embrace humble dependence on the Lord.

ύβρει υβρεσιν ύβρεσιν ὕβρεσιν υβρεως υβρεώς ύβρεως ὕβρεως υβριν ύβριν ὕβριν ύβρις hybreos hybreōs hýbreos hýbreōs hybresin hýbresin hybrin hýbrin ubreos ubreōs ubresin ubrinInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts