πάθημα

suffering, passion

Definition

Πάθημα (pathēma) primarily denotes 'suffering' or 'affliction' experienced by believers, as seen in Romans 8:18 and 2 Corinthians 1:5-7, where it refers to the hardships endured for Christ. In a distinct sense, it can mean 'passions' or 'sinful desires' that characterize the fallen human nature, which are to be crucified, as in Romans 7:5 and Galatians 5:24. The word also carries the nuance of 'an experience undergone,' whether of suffering or of Christ's own afflictions, which Paul speaks of sharing in Philippians 3:10 and Colossians 1:24.

Biblical Usage

The word is used 16 times in the New Testament, predominantly in Paul's letters. It most frequently describes the sufferings believers endure in the present age (Romans 8:18; 2 Corinthians 1:5-7). In several key passages, it refers to sinful passions or desires that belong to the flesh (Romans 7:5; Galatians 5:24). A unique usage is found in Philippians 3:10 and Colossians 1:24, where Paul speaks of participating in or completing the sufferings of Christ, indicating a profound spiritual fellowship.

Etymology

Derived from the verb πάσχω (paschō, G3958), meaning 'to suffer' or 'to experience.' Πάθημα is a noun form indicating 'that which is suffered or experienced.' It is related to πάθος (pathos, G3806), which more strongly emphasizes 'passion' or 'lust.' The root meaning centers on undergoing an experience, which in the NT context is often a negative or painful one.

Semantic Range

This word is theologically significant as it bridges human experience and divine purpose. It distinguishes between suffering as a consequence of sin (passions) and suffering endured for the sake of Christ, which has redemptive value and fosters unity within the body of believers (2 Corinthians 1:5-7). Understanding πάθημα enriches reading by clarifying whether a passage is addressing internal sinful desires or external persecution and hardship, both of which are overcome through Christ (Galatians 5:24; Romans 8:18).

In the Greco-Roman world, 'pathēma' could refer to emotions or experiences in a general, often philosophical, sense. The New Testament usage, however, frequently infuses it with a distinctly Jewish and Christian understanding of suffering within God's salvific plan, contrasting with a purely Stoic idea of enduring fate. For early Christians, suffering was not meaningless but was intimately connected to the pattern of Christ's death and resurrection.

πάθος (pathos, G3806) — emphasizes strong desire or lust, often sinful. θλῖψις (thlipsis, G2347) — emphasizes pressure, tribulation, or distress, often from external persecution. ὀδύνη (odynē, G3601) — emphasizes pain, grief, or anguish, more focused on the internal feeling.

Word Details

Scripture References