Lexical Summary ponos: Pain, toil, labor, distress Original Word: πόνος Strong's Exhaustive Concordance pain. From the base of penes; toil, i.e. (by implication) anguish -- pain. see GREEK penes NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom penomai (to toil) Definition labor NASB Translation concern (1), pain (2), pains (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 4192: πόνοςπόνος, πόνου, ὁ (πένομαι (see πένης)), from Homer down, the Sept. for עָמָל, יְגִיעַ , etc., labor, toil; 1. equivalent to great trouble, intense desire: ὑπέρ τίνος (genitive of person), Colossians 4:13 (where Rec. has ζῆλον (cf. Lightfoot at the passage)). 2. pain: Revelation 16:10; Revelation 21:4. (Synonym: see κόπος, at the end.) Used sparingly yet pointedly in the New Testament, this noun gathers into one term the ideas of bodily pain, exhausting labor, inner distress, and the misery that springs from sin-marred existence. It covers both the sweat of present toil and the anguish that accompanies a fallen world. New Testament Distribution 1. Colossians 4:13 — applied to Epaphras’ tireless ministry: “I testify about him that he is working hard for you and for those in Laodicea and Hierapolis.” His “hard work” exemplifies godly labor willingly embraced for the sake of the gospel. 2. Revelation 16:10-11 — twice in the same plague scene. The kingdom of the beast is plunged into darkness; people “gnawed their tongues in anguish” and “cursed the God of heaven for their pains and sores, yet they did not repent of their deeds.” Here the word depicts judicial torment that exposes hardened rebellion. 3. Revelation 21:4 — the climactic promise: “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning nor crying nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” The term stands as the last item in the catalogue of things God permanently removes, highlighting the totality of redemption. Old Testament Resonance In the Septuagint the same word often renders Hebrew terms for toil and grief (for example, Genesis 3:16-17; Psalm 25:18). This background ties New Testament usage to the curse pronounced at Eden and prepares for the hope of its reversal. Theological Themes • Curse and Judgment: Revelation 16 parallels the plagues of Exodus, underscoring that unrepentant humanity experiences intensified pain where sin is embraced. • Redemptive Labor: Colossians 4 sets painful exertion within Christ-centered service. When yoked to love, toil becomes participation in Christ’s sufferings rather than futile drudgery. • Eschatological Reversal: Revelation 21 shows the word’s ultimate cancellation. Every category of human misery—including this one—is erased in the new creation, vindicating God’s justice and mercy. Ministry Applications 1. Encouragement in Service: The church today can honor “Epaphras-like” workers whose hidden labor entails weariness yet bears fruit for eternity. 2. Pastoral Care amid Suffering: Revelation 16 warns that pain does not automatically lead to repentance; shepherds must pair compassion with a call to turn to God. 3. Hope for the Afflicted: When believers face chronic physical pain or grinding hardship, Revelation 21:4 furnishes concrete assurance that such suffering has an expiration date. Devotional Reflection The term moves from gospel labor (Colossians) through eschatological judgment (Revelation 16) to final restoration (Revelation 21). The progression frames the Christian life: we toil now, a rebellious world may writhe under God’s righteous dealings, but the people of God press on toward a realm where “pain” itself is abolished. Thus the word that once summed up the curse will stand in eternity only as a canceled entry in heaven’s ledger, testimony to the completeness of Christ’s triumph. Englishman's Concordance Colossians 4:13 N-AMSGRK: ἔχει πολὺν πόνον ὑπὲρ ὑμῶν NAS: a deep concern for you and for those INT: he has much concern for you Revelation 16:10 N-GMS Revelation 16:11 N-GMP Revelation 21:4 N-NMS Strong's Greek 4192 |
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