Lexical Summary paroxunó: To provoke, to stir up, to incite Original Word: παροξύνω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance easily provoke, stir. From para and a derivative of oxus; to sharpen alongside, i.e. (figuratively) to exasperate -- easily provoke, stir. see GREEK para see GREEK oxus HELPS Word-studies 3947 paroksýnō (from 3844 /pará, "alongside" and o NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom para and oxunó (to sharpen) Definition to sharpen, fig. to stimulate, to provoke NASB Translation provoked (2). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 3947: παροξύνωπαροξύνω: properly, to make sharp, to sharpen (παρά, IV. 3): τήν μάχαιραν, Deuteronomy 32:41. Metaphorically, (so always in secular authors from Euripides, Thucydides, Xenophon down), a. to stimulate, spur on, urge (πρός τί, ἐπί τί). b. to irritate, provoke, rouse to anger; passive, present παροξύνομαι; imperfect παρωξυνομην: Acts 17:16; 1 Corinthians 13:5. The Sept. chiefly for נָאַץ, to scorn, despise; besides for הִכְעִיס, to provoke, make angry, Deuteronomy 9:18; Psalm 105:29 Παροξύνω often translates Hebrew verbs such as חָרָה (charah, “to burn with anger”) and קִנָּא (qinna, “to be jealous”) in the Septuagint. This pairing shows the term’s dual capacity to describe both righteous indignation in God and misdirected anger in human beings (for example Deuteronomy 32:16; Psalm 78:58). Thus, when the New Testament employs the verb, it already carries a rich Old Testament backdrop of covenant loyalty violated or defended. Usage in Acts 17:16 – Righteous Provocation in Evangelistic Context “While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, he was deeply distressed that the city was full of idols.” (Acts 17:16) Luke portrays Paul’s inward agitation as a holy response to rampant idolatry. The verb highlights: Historically, Athens prided itself on philosophy and art, yet Paul’s reaction underscores Scripture’s insistence that intellectual brilliance cannot excuse spiritual darkness. His provocation models how Christians may engage culture: sorrow over idolatry combined with proactive gospel proclamation. Usage in 1 Corinthians 13:5 – Love’s Refusal to Be Provoked “[Love] is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no account of wrongs.” (1 Corinthians 13:5) Within a church fractured by pride and rivalry, Paul employs the same verb negatively: genuine love does not allow itself to be provoked. The contrast with Acts 17:16 is instructive: Theological Tension: Holy Jealousy vs. Carnal Irritation Scripture never condemns all anger; it condemns anger arising from self-interest (James 1:20). Παροξύνω therefore poses a diagnostic question: Is my spirit stirred because God’s glory is obscured, or because my pride is wounded? The same verb can describe both impulses, but the motive separates sin from virtue. Ministry Implications 1. Discernment – Church leaders must distinguish zealous concern for biblical truth from unloving contentiousness. Practical Application for Contemporary Church • Worship – Guard corporate gatherings from distractions that provoke fleshly irritation; cultivate atmospheres where love restrains temperament. Related Biblical Themes Righteous anger: Exodus 32:19; Mark 3:5 Sinful anger: Proverbs 14:29; Ephesians 4:31 Jealousy for God’s honor: Numbers 25:11; John 2:17 Summary Strong’s Greek 3947, παροξύνω, frames a paradox: the same inner stirring can fuel either holy activism or sinful irritation. Acts 17:16 celebrates zeal for God that confronts idolatry; 1 Corinthians 13:5 demands the restraint of self-centered anger. The Spirit therefore calls believers to let their hearts be provoked only by what provokes God, and to temper every personal grievance with the self-giving love that “never fails” (1 Corinthians 13:8). Englishman's Concordance Acts 17:16 V-IIM/P-3SGRK: τοῦ Παύλου παρωξύνετο τὸ πνεῦμα NAS: his spirit was being provoked within KJV: his spirit was stirred in him, INT: Paul was provoked the spirit 1 Corinthians 13:5 V-PIM/P-3S Strong's Greek 3947 |
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