Quick Definition
κολαφίζω v. I strike with the fist, maltreat
Strong's Definition
from a derivative of the base of 2849; to rap with the fist
KJV Usage: buffet
UBS Dictionary of the Greek New Testament
verb
19.7 · Physical Impact · Hit, Strike
to strike with the fist, to beat with the fist to strike or beat with the fist, either once or repeatedly
20.27 · Violence, Harm, Destroy, Kill · Harm, Wound
to cause harm to (a figurative extension of meaning of κολαφίζω[a] ‘to beat with the fist,’ 19.7) to cause injury or weakness or possibly a circumstantial difficulty Though differences of interpretation exist concerning the meaning of ‘a thorn in my flesh’ (2CO 12:7), especially since some scholars have felt that this must refer to some kind of physical disability, it seems more likely to assume that it refers to some special personal circumstance such as the opposition Paul encountered in preaching the gospel, a reference suggested by 2CO 12:10 (see also 22.20).
Without some clear understanding of the reference of ‘a thorn in my flesh,’ it is difficult to determine precisely how κολαφίζω is to be interpreted in 2CO 12:7.
UBS Dictionary of the Greek New Testament © United Bible Societies, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
Thayer's Greek Lexicon
κολαφίζω ; 1 aor. ἐκολάφισα: pres. pass. κολαφίζομαι ; (κολαφος a fist, and this fr. κολάπτω to peck, strike); to strike with the fist, give one a blow with the fist (Terence, colaphum infringo, Quintil. col. duco), [A. V. to buffet]: τινά, Mt. xxvi. 67; Mk. xiv. 65; as a specific term for a general, i. q. to maltreat, treat with violence and contumely, 2 Co. xii. 7; pres. pass., 1 Co. iv. 11; 1 Pet. ii. 20. (Elsewhere only in eccl. writ.) The word is fully discussed by Fischer, De vitiis lexx. N. T. ete. p. 67 sqq-; cf. Lob. ad Phryn. p. 175 sq.
Mounce Concise Greek Dictionary
κολαφίζω kolaphizō 5x
to beat with the fist, buffet, Mt. 26:67; Mk. 14:65; met. to maltreat, treat with excessive force, 1 Cor. 4:11; to punish, 1 Pet. 2:20; to buffet, fret, afflict, 2 Cor. 12:7*
Abbott-Smith Greek Lexicon
*† κολαφίζω
(< κόλαφος = Att., κόνδυλοι, the knuckles, the closed fist),
to strike with the fist, to buffet: Mt 26:67, Mk 14:65, II Co 12:7; pass., I Co 4:11, I Pe 2:20.†
Liddell-Scott-Jones — Greek-English Lexicon
κολαφίζω (kolaphizō) — to beat. κολᾰφ-ίζω, slap, buffet, τινα [NT]:— passive, [NT]