Lexical Summary anesis: Relief, rest, relaxation, ease Original Word: ἄνεσις Strong's Exhaustive Concordance easing, liberty, rest. From aniemi; relaxation or (figuratively) relief -- eased, liberty, rest. see GREEK aniemi NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom aniémi Definition a loosening, relaxation NASB Translation ease (1), freedom (1), relief (1), rest (2). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 425: ἄνεσιςἄνεσις, ἀνεσεως, ἡ (ἀνίημι to let loose, slacken, anything tense, e. g. a bow), a loosening, relaxing; spoken of a more tolerable condition in captivity: ἔχειν ἄνεσιν, to be held in less rigorous confinement (R. V. have indulgence), Acts 24:23 (Josephus, Antiquities 18, 6, 10 φυλακή μέν γάρ καί τήρησις ἦν, μετά μέντοι ἀνεσεως τῆς δίαιταν). relief, rest, from persecutions, 2 Thessalonians 1:7; from the troubles of poverty, 2 Corinthians 8:13; relief from anxiety, quiet, 2 Corinthians 2:13 ( Topical Lexicon Conceptual Overview Across its five New Testament appearances, ἄνεσις portrays a loosening of pressure that results in rest, relief, or freedom. Whether the strain is physical, emotional, economic, or persecution-induced, the term highlights the Lord’s concern for human frailty and His provision of timely respite. Old Testament Foundations The Septuagint uses related language for sabbatical rest (for example, Exodus 16:30) and Jubilee release (Leviticus 25). These background texts situate ἄνεσις within Yahweh’s rhythm of deliverance: periods of intense labor or oppression are followed by God-ordained release so that His people may flourish and worship. Anesis in Acts: Compassion within Roman Custody Acts 24:23 records Governor Felix’s instruction regarding Paul: “he ordered the centurion to guard Paul, but to grant him some freedom and to permit his friends to minister to him.” The “freedom” (ἄνεσιν) is a humane relaxation of normal prison rigor. Luke thereby underscores divine favor over Paul’s mission and models just treatment of prisoners—an ethical concern that later Christian communities would champion. Personal Relief in Apostolic Ministry 1. 2 Corinthians 2:13 — Paul confesses, “I still had no peace in my spirit, because I did not find Titus my brother.” The absence of ἄνεσις shows that even apostles wrestle with inner turmoil until God supplies the needed easing. The passages legitimize emotional candor in ministry. They also remind believers that God’s comfort often arrives through fellow workers such as Titus. Economic Relief and Mutuality 2 Corinthians 8:13 presents ἄνεσις as financial easing: “It is not our intention that others may be relieved while you are burdened, but that there may be equality.” The verse frames Christian giving as a calculated redistribution that reduces hardship without creating new hardship elsewhere. The goal is parity in the body of Christ, reflecting the manna principle of Exodus 16:18—“the one who gathered much had no excess, and the one who gathered little had no shortage.” Eschatological Relief for the Oppressed 2 Thessalonians 1:7 lifts ἄνεσις to its highest horizon: “and to grant relief to you who are oppressed and to us as well at the revelation of the Lord Jesus from heaven, with His mighty angels.” Ultimate release awaits the Second Coming, when Christ repays afflictors and consoles the afflicted. Temporal respites foreshadow this decisive vindication; they are pledges of a final, unbreakable rest. Theological Trajectory • God’s nature includes compassionate attentiveness to human limits. Pastoral and Practical Implications • Church leaders may candidly admit need for rest, modeling dependence on God. Summary ἄνεσις threads through Scripture as God’s answer to strain—momentary or ultimate. In every sphere (legal, emotional, financial, eschatological) the Lord loosens what binds, granting His people space to recover, rejoice, and continue faithful service until the final revelation of Jesus Christ. Forms and Transliterations ανεσιν άνεσιν ἄνεσιν ανεσις άνεσις ἄνεσις anesin ánesin anesis ánesisLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Acts 24:23 N-AFSGRK: ἔχειν τε ἄνεσιν καὶ μηδένα NAS: and [yet] have [some] freedom, and not to prevent KJV: to let [him] have liberty, and INT: to [let him] have moreover ease and not 2 Corinthians 2:13 N-AFS 2 Corinthians 7:5 N-AFS 2 Corinthians 8:13 N-NFS 2 Thessalonians 1:7 N-AFS Strong's Greek 425 |
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