Lexical Summary talaipóreó: To suffer distress, to be miserable, to endure hardship Original Word: ταλαιπωρέω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance endureFrom talaiporos; to be wretched, i.e. Realize one's own misery -- be afflicted. see GREEK talaiporos HELPS Word-studies Cognate: 5003 talaipōréō – intensely afflict, leaving someone in a wretched (miserable) condition – literally, showing callouses due to sustained affliction (used only at Js 4:9). See 5005 (talaipōros). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom talaipóros Definition to suffer hardship or distress NASB Translation miserable (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 5003: ταλαιπωρέωταλαιπωρέω, ταλαιπώρω: 1 aorist imperative ταλαιπωρήσατε; (τλαιπωρος, which see); from Euripides, and Thucydides down; the Sept. for שָׁדַד; a. to toil heavily, to endure labors and hardships; to be afflicted; to feel afflicted and miserable: James 4:9. b. in Greek writings and the Sept. also transitively (cf. Liddell and Scott, under the word, II.), to afflict: Psalm 16:9 Belonging to the “talaip-” word group, the verb found in James 4:9 describes an inward condition of misery that arises when the sinner honestly faces personal ungodliness before a holy God. Other family members appear as nouns or adjectives meaning “wretched” (Romans 7:24; Revelation 3:17), so the group carries the idea of spiritual distress that drives one to seek divine mercy. Biblical Usage James employs the imperative: “Be miserable, mourn, and weep. Let your laughter turn to mourning and your joy to gloom” (James 4:9). The command stands inside a larger appeal (James 4:7-10) urging believers who have flirted with worldliness to submit to God, resist the devil, and humble themselves. The misery called for is not self-pity but Spirit-prompted contrition leading to restoration (James 4:10). Theological Significance 1. Conviction of Sin: The term underscores that genuine repentance involves more than intellectual assent; it reaches emotional depths (Psalm 51:17; 2 Corinthians 7:10). Pastoral and Devotional Applications • Personal Examination: Regular times of self-assessment, such as during the Lord’s Supper (1 Corinthians 11:28), echo James’s call to feel the weight of sin. Historical Interpretation • Early Fathers: Chrysostom saw the verse as medicine for the soul, cautioning that laughter apart from repentance leads to eternal sorrow. Connections with Related Passages • Romans 7:24 – Paul’s cry, “What a wretched man I am!” parallels the misery James enjoins, culminating in thanksgiving through Jesus Christ (Romans 7:25). Practical Ministry Implications 1. Preaching: Faithful proclamation must include calls to heartfelt repentance, allowing space for conviction rather than rushing to comfort. Summary The lone New Testament appearance of this verb supplies a powerful theology of repentance. It teaches that feeling wretched over sin is neither optional nor harmful; it is the divinely appointed pathway to deeper grace, restored fellowship, and lasting joy. |
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