Lexical Summary thauma: Wonder, Marvel Original Word: θαῦμα Strong's Exhaustive Concordance admiration. Apparently from a form of theaomai; wonder (properly concrete; but by implication, abstract) -- admiration. see GREEK theaomai HELPS Word-studies Cognate: 2295 thaúma – a wonder, evoking "emotional" astonishment (gaping) at the marvel, i.e. performed to powerfully strike the viewer personally (uniquely, individually). See 2296 (thaumázō). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originakin to theaomai Definition a wonder NASB Translation greatly* (1), wonder (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 2295: θαῦμαθαῦμα, θαυματός, τό (ΘΑΟΜΑΙ (to wonder at), to gaze at, cf. Alexander Buttmann (1873) Gram. § 114 under the word; Ausf. Spr. ii., p. 196; Curtius, § 308); 1. a wonderful thing, a marvel: 2 Corinthians 11:14 L T Tr WH. 2. wonder: θαυμάζειν θαῦμα μέγα (cf. Winers Grammar, § 32, 2; (Buttmann, § 131, 5)), to wonder (with great wonder i. e.) exceedingly, Revelation 17:6. (In both senses in Greek writings from Homer down; the Sept. Job 17:8; Job 18:20.) The noun occurs twice in the New Testament, each time capturing a moment when the human observer stands halted before something extraordinary—either diabolically deceptive or horrifyingly corrupt. The term signals a response of astonishment, not mere curiosity, and therefore invites discernment shaped by revelation rather than by appearances. Wonder in Spiritual Discernment (2 Corinthians 11:14) In “And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light” (2 Corinthians 11:14), Paul disarms naïve astonishment. The Corinthian believers were impressed by self-exalting “super-apostles.” Paul exposes the counterfeit: Satan can generate phenomena that evoke θαῦμα, yet those marvels veil deadly lies. The practical lesson is twofold: 1. Test every impressive display by apostolic teaching and the gospel of Christ. Wonder at Prophetic Visions of Judgment (Revelation 17:6) John writes, “I was greatly astonished when I saw her” (Revelation 17:6). The blood-soaked harlot, symbolizing a blasphemous world system, evokes overwhelming θαῦμα in the apostle. The angel immediately asks, “Why are you astonished?” redirecting John from paralyzing awe to a revelation of meaning. Here θαῦμα marks the gulf between earthly splendor and divine appraisal: what dazzles the eyes is doomed under the Lamb’s wrath. The text warns believers not to be ensnared by the allure of corrupt power or by persecution’s intimidation. Historical and Cultural Backdrop In Greco-Roman society, public spectacles—triumphs, oracles, temple rites—sought to provoke θαῦμα, reinforcing civic religion and imperial ideology. Against that backdrop, the early church proclaimed a crucified and risen Messiah, whose power is perfected in weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9). The New Testament’s limited, cautionary use of θαῦμα subverts the culture’s craving for sensational religion. Authentic Christian “signs and wonders” (Acts 5:12) point away from themselves to the lordship of Jesus Christ; counterfeit marvels entice toward idolatry or self-gratification. Theological Trajectory • Wonder is morally ambivalent; its value rests on its object and source. Ministry Implications 1. Preaching: Guard congregations against fascination with signs divorced from sound doctrine (Matthew 24:24). Devotional Reflection True wonder matures into worship. As disciples gaze upon the glory of the Lord (2 Corinthians 3:18), they are transformed, exchanging the deceptive flash of this age for the everlasting splendor of Christ. Englishman's Concordance 2 Corinthians 11:14 N-NNSGRK: καὶ οὐ θαῦμα αὐτὸς γὰρ NAS: No wonder, for even Satan INT: And no wonder himself indeed Revelation 17:6 N-ANS |
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