Lexical Summary paschó: To suffer, to endure Original Word: πάσχω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance to sufferIncluding the forms patho (path'-o), and pentho (pen'-tho), used only in certain tenses for it apparently a primary verb; to experience a sensation or impression (usually painful) -- feel, passion, suffer, vex. HELPS Word-studies 3958 pás 3958/pás [3958/pás NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originakin to penthos Definition to suffer, to be acted on NASB Translation endured (1), endured...sufferings (1), suffer (22), suffered (10), suffering (4), suffers (2). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 3958: πάσχωπάσχω; 2 aorist ἔπαθον; perfect πέπονθα (Luke 13:2; Hebrews 2:18); from Homer down; to be affected or have been affected, to feel, have a sensible experience, to undergo; it is a vox media — used in either a good or a bad sense; as, ὅσα πεπονθασι καί ὅσα αὐτοῖς ἐγένετο, of perils and deliverance from them, Esther 9:26 (for רָאָה); hence, κακῶς πάσχειν, to stiffer sadly, be in bad plight, of a sick person, Matthew 17:15 where L Tr text WH text κακῶς ἔχειν (on the other hand, εὖ πάσχειν, to be well off, in good case, often in Greek writings from Pindar down). 1. in a bad sense, of misfortunes, to suffer, to undergo evils, to be afflicted (so everywhere in Homer and Hesiod; also in the other Greek writings where it is used absolutely): absolutely, Luke 22:15; Luke 24:46; Acts 1:3; Acts 3:18; Acts 17:3; 1 Corinthians 12:26; Hebrews 2:18; Hebrews 9:26; 1 Peter 2:19f, 23; 1 Peter 3:17; 1 Peter 4:15, 19; Hebrews 13:12; ὀλίγον, a little while, 1 Peter 5:10; πάσχειν τί, Matthew 27:19; Mark 9:12; Luke 13:2; ( a.; Buttmann, § 143, 10); Revelation 2:10; παθήματα πάσχειν, 2 Corinthians 1:6; τί ἀπό with the genitive of person, Matthew 16:21; Luke 9:22; Luke 17:25; πάσχειν ὑπό with the genitive of person, Matthew 17:12; ὑπό τίνος, Mark 5:28; 1 Thessalonians 2:14; πάσχειν ὑπέρ τίνος, in behalf of a person or thing, Acts 9:16; Philippians 1:29; 2 Thessalonians 1:5; with the addition of a dative of reference or respect (cf. Winer's Grammar, § 31, 6), σαρκί, 1 Peter 4:1a; ἐν σαρκί, ibid. b (yet G L T Tr WH omit ἐν; cf. Winer's Grammar, 412 (384)); πάσχειν περί with the genitive of the thing and ὑπέρ with the genitive of person 1 Peter 3:18 (R G WH marginal reading; cf. Winer's Grammar, 373 (349); 383 (358) note); πάσχειν διά δικαιοσύνην, 1 Peter 3:14. 2. in a good sense, of pleasant experiences; but nowhere so unless either the adverb εὖ or an accusative of the thing be added (Ὑπομνῆσαι, ὅσα παθοντες ἐξ αὐτοῦ (i. e. Θεοῦ) καί πηλικων εὐεργεσιῶν μεταλαβόντες ἀχάριστοι πρός αὐτόν γένοιντο, Josephus, Antiquities 3, 15, 1; examples from Greek authors are given in Passow, under the word, II. 5; (Liddell and Scott, under the word, II. 2)): Galatians 3:4, on which see γέ, 3 c. (Compare: προπάσχω, συμπάσχω.) Strong’s Greek 3958 (paschō) gathers the full biblical spectrum of “suffering”—ranging from physical pain and persecution to inward trials and reproach. While suffering touches every human life, the New Testament usage concentrates it in two great arenas: the redemptive sufferings of Jesus Christ and the refining sufferings of His people. Together they reveal God’s sovereign purpose, transforming affliction from mere calamity into a vital component of salvation history and Christian discipleship. Christ’s Atoning Sufferings Paschō finds its deepest meaning in the passion of the Messiah. Jesus repeatedly foretold that He “must suffer many things” (Matthew 16:21; Mark 8:31; Luke 9:22) in fulfillment of Scripture (Luke 24:26, Luke 24:46; Acts 3:18). His suffering culminated at the cross, where “Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example” (1 Peter 2:21) and “died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God” (1 Peter 3:18). Hebrews emphasizes both His substitution and His sympathy: “Although He was a Son, He learned obedience from what He suffered” (Hebrews 5:8); therefore He is able “to help those who are being tempted” (Hebrews 2:18). By suffering “outside the gate to sanctify the people by His own blood” (Hebrews 13:12), Jesus fulfilled the typology of the sin offering and established the pattern of reproach borne for God’s glory. Believers’ Identification with Christ through Suffering Because the Head suffered, the body must expect the same. Philippians 1:29 declares, “For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for Him.” Peter underlines this union: “If you suffer for what is right, you are blessed” (1 Peter 3:14), and urges Christians to “entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while continuing to do good” (1 Peter 4:19). Such suffering is never punitive; it is participatory—sharing “the fellowship of His sufferings” (implicit in the paschō idea, cf. 1 Peter 4:13). Through patient endurance, believers display the life of Christ and bear witness to the gospel before a hostile world. Suffering as a Means of Sanctification Paschō passages consistently link affliction with growth in holiness. “If when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is commendable before God” (1 Peter 2:20). Trials test faith, produce perseverance, and refine character (1 Peter 1:6-7; though paschō is not in that verse, the theology matches). 2 Thessalonians 1:5 views persecutions as “evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be counted worthy of the kingdom.” The pattern echoes Christ’s own pathway: obedience validated in suffering, glory following pain. Suffering in Apostolic Ministry The missionary record of Acts and the Epistles shows paschō as a hallmark of authentic service. The Lord foretold of Paul, “I will show him how much he must suffer for My name” (Acts 9:16). Paul later writes, “Whether we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation” (2 Corinthians 1:6). The Thessalonian believers “suffered the same things from your own countrymen” (1 Thessalonians 2:14), evidencing solidarity with the churches in Judea. Such experiences did not deter proclamation; rather, they authenticated it. Eschatological Perspective on Suffering Revelation 2:10 exhorts, “Be faithful even unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.” Paschō here carries the weight of ultimate allegiance in the face of martyrdom. The promise of resurrection glory sustained Jesus (“after three days rise again,” Mark 8:31) and sustains His people (1 Peter 5:10: “after you have suffered a little while, He Himself will restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you”). Suffering, therefore, serves as the birth pangs of the coming age, not an obstacle to it. Pastoral Implications and Encouragement 1 Corinthians 12:26 applies paschō to communal empathy: “If one member suffers, every part suffers with it,” calling the church to mutual support. Hebrews 10:34 (conceptually) shows believers joyfully accepting the confiscation of property, knowing they possess “a better and lasting possession.” Pastors and teachers should present suffering not as aberration but vocation—an honored sharing in Christ’s mission tempered by the assurance of His presence and the hope of eternal reward. Connections with Old Testament Patterns Paschō stands on the shoulders of prophetic anticipation: Isaiah’s Servant “bore our griefs” and “was afflicted.” Luke 24:26 ties the Messiah’s suffering and glory directly to “what the prophets have spoken.” The Exodus Passover, the suffering of righteous Job, and the Psalms of lament all foreshadow New Testament paschō, now fulfilled in Christ and re-enacted in His people. Summary of Key Passages Matthew 16:21; Mark 8:31; Luke 24:46 – necessity of Messianic suffering Acts 9:16; 2 Corinthians 1:6 – apostolic suffering for gospel advance Philippians 1:29; 1 Thessalonians 2:14 – believers granted to suffer Hebrews 5:8; Hebrews 13:12 – redemptive and exemplary aspects 1 Peter 2:21-23; 1 Peter 3:14-18; 1 Peter 4:19 – ethical and pastoral application Revelation 2:10 – eschatological faithfulness unto death Through Strong’s 3958 the New Testament weaves a coherent theology: the suffering Christ secures salvation; the suffering church displays salvation; and future glory forever vindicates both. Englishman's Concordance Matthew 16:21 V-ANAGRK: καὶ πολλὰ παθεῖν ἀπὸ τῶν NAS: to Jerusalem, and suffer many things KJV: Jerusalem, and suffer many things of INT: and many things to suffer from the Matthew 17:12 V-PNA Matthew 17:15 V-PIA-3S Matthew 27:19 V-AIA-1S Mark 5:26 V-APA-NFS Mark 8:31 V-ANA Mark 9:12 V-ASA-3S Luke 9:22 V-ANA Luke 13:2 V-RIA-3P Luke 17:25 V-ANA Luke 22:15 V-ANA Luke 24:26 V-ANA Luke 24:46 V-ANA Acts 1:3 V-ANA Acts 3:18 V-ANA Acts 9:16 V-ANA Acts 17:3 V-ANA Acts 28:5 V-AIA-3S 1 Corinthians 12:26 V-PIA-3S 2 Corinthians 1:6 V-PIA-1P Galatians 3:4 V-AIA-2P Philippians 1:29 V-PNA 1 Thessalonians 2:14 V-AIA-2P 2 Thessalonians 1:5 V-PIA-2P 2 Timothy 1:12 V-PIA-1S Strong's Greek 3958 |
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