Lexical Summary pathéma: Suffering, affliction, passion Original Word: πάθημα Strong's Exhaustive Concordance affliction, suffering. From a presumed derivative of pathos; something undergone, i.e. Hardship or pain; subjectively, an emotion or influence -- affection, affliction, motion, suffering. see GREEK pathos HELPS Word-studies Cognate: 3804 páthēma (from 3958 /pásxō, "the capacity to feel strong emotion, like suffering") – properly, the capacity and privilege of experiencing strong feeling; felt, deep emotion, like agony, passion (ardent desire), suffering, etc. Under God, 3804 /páthēma ("strong feeling") is redemptive, preparing us to know the Lord better now and forever in glory (cf. Ro 8:18; Phil 3:10; 1 Pet 5:1). 3804 (páthēma) is not inherently negative; indeed, it is only negative when experienced outside of (apart from) faith. See 3958 (pas [3804 /páthēma ("strong feeling") includes affliction (suffering), which should always (ideally) result in knowing God's glory – like going through difficulties (persecution, etc.) in faith. Note the -ma suffix, emphasizing the end-result (experiencing strong feeling).] NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom paschó Definition that which befalls one, i.e. a suffering, a passion NASB Translation passions (2), suffering (2), sufferings (12). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 3804: πάθημαπάθημα, παθηματος, τό (from παθεῖν, πάσχω, as μάθημα from μαθεῖν), from (Sophocles) Herodotus down; 1. that which one suffers or has suffered; a. externally, a suffering, misfortune, calamity, evil, affliction : plural, Romans 8:18; 2 Corinthians 1:6; Colossians 1:24; 2 Timothy 3:11; Hebrews 2:10; Hebrews 10:32; 1 Peter 5:9; τά εἰς Χριστόν, that should subsequently come unto Christ (Winer's Grammar, 193 (182)), 1 Peter 1:11; τοῦ Χριστοῦ, which Christ endured, 1 Peter 5:1; also the afflictions which Christians must undergo in behalf of the same cause for which Christ patiently endured, are called παθήματα τοῦ Χριστοῦ (Winer's Grammar, 189 (178) note), 2 Corinthians 1:5; Philippians 3:10; 1 Peter 4:13. b. of an inward state, an affection, passion: Galatians 5:24; τῶν ἁμαρτιῶν, that lead to sins, Romans 7:5. 2. equivalent to τό πάσχειν (see καύχημα, 2), an enduring, undergoing, suffering (so the plural in Arstph: thesm. 199): θανάτου, genitive of the object, Hebrews 2:9. (Synonym: cf. πάθος, at the beginning.) Strong’s Greek 3804 (páthēma) portrays experiences of pain, affliction, persecution, or inward passions that press upon a person. In the New Testament it moves along two chief lines: (1) bodily or social sufferings; (2) inward drives and passions springing from the flesh. Together they frame a biblical theology of suffering that is both Christ-centered and Gospel-shaped. Old Testament Roots and Jewish Background Although páthēma itself does not appear in the Hebrew Scriptures, its conceptual backdrop lies in words such as ʿōnî (“affliction”) and tsārâ (“distress”), realities woven into Israel’s covenant account (Exodus 3:7; Psalm 34:19). Second-Temple Judaism viewed righteous suffering as a refining fire (Wisdom of Solomon 3:5-6) and an anticipated marker of the Messianic age. By the first century, the idea that the righteous share the Messiah’s afflictions had taken firm hold—soil into which the New Testament writers sowed the Gospel. Christological Sufferings Páthēma first attaches to Jesus Himself. Hebrews 2:9 centers the term at Calvary: “now crowned with glory and honor because He suffered death.” Verse 10 adds that the Father made “the author of their salvation perfect through suffering,” revealing that Christ’s atoning work is both substitutionary and exemplar. Peter echoes the prophetic anticipation: the Spirit “predicted the sufferings of Christ” (1 Peter 1:11), while the apostle, as an eyewitness, testifies to those sufferings (1 Peter 5:1). Christ’s páthēma is therefore redemptive, fore-told, historical, and foundational. Believers’ Union with Christ in Suffering Because Christ’s people are united to Him, His account governs theirs. “For just as the sufferings of Christ overflow to us, so also through Christ our comfort overflows” (2 Corinthians 1:5). Paul seeks “the fellowship of His sufferings” (Philippians 3:10) and urges rejoicing when believers “share in the sufferings of Christ” (1 Peter 4:13). The participatory motif is two-sided: overflow of pain, overflow of comfort. Hence páthēma becomes a badge of authentic discipleship. Sanctification and the Crucifixion of the Flesh Galatians 5:24 widens the word’s scope: “Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.” Here páthēma describes inward impulses that must be nailed to the cross. Romans 7:5 adopts the same sense, placing “sinful passions” within Adam’s race; the cross expels them, and the Spirit empowers a new obedience. Apostolic Pattern and Pastoral Ministry The apostolic ministry is stamped with páthēma. Paul recounts “persecutions, and sufferings” (2 Timothy 3:11) and rejoices to “fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ, for the sake of His body” (Colossians 1:24). Affliction is not an unfortunate detour but an avenue of service; it authenticates the messenger, deepens pastoral sympathy, and channels divine comfort to the flock (2 Corinthians 1:6-7). Eschatological Perspective Present páthēmata are set against future glory. “I consider that our present sufferings are not comparable to the glory that will be revealed in us” (Romans 8:18). Peter adds a doxological horizon: participation in Christ’s sufferings now will issue in “overjoyed” praise “at the revelation of His glory” (1 Peter 4:13). The church’s suffering is therefore temporary, purposeful, and pregnant with hope. Communal Solidarity Suffering welds believers together across geography and generations. After conversion, the Hebrews “endured a great conflict of sufferings” (Hebrews 10:32). Peter counsels resistance to the adversary, “knowing that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kinds of suffering” (1 Peter 5:9). Corporate identity in Christ forges mutual courage and perseverance. Practical Applications • Embrace suffering as providential schooling under a sovereign Father. Conclusion The sixteen New Testament occurrences of páthēma trace a coherent line: Christ suffered to redeem; His people share those sufferings for sanctification, witness, and communal strengthening; and God promises unfading glory beyond every pain. Through páthēma the church learns the cruciform way, tasting both the fellowship of Christ’s cross and the comfort of His resurrection power. Englishman's Concordance Romans 7:5 N-NNPGRK: σαρκί τὰ παθήματα τῶν ἁμαρτιῶν NAS: the sinful passions, which were [aroused] by the Law, KJV: the flesh, the motions of sins, INT: flesh the passions of sins Romans 8:18 N-NNP 2 Corinthians 1:5 N-NNP 2 Corinthians 1:6 N-GNP 2 Corinthians 1:7 N-GNP Galatians 5:24 N-DNP Philippians 3:10 N-GNP Colossians 1:24 N-DNP 2 Timothy 3:11 N-DNP Hebrews 2:9 N-ANS Hebrews 2:10 N-GNP Hebrews 10:32 N-GNP 1 Peter 1:11 N-ANP 1 Peter 4:13 N-DNP 1 Peter 5:1 N-GNP 1 Peter 5:9 N-GNP Strong's Greek 3804 |
    |