φορτίον

a burden, freight

Definition

Φορτίον (phortion) primarily means a burden or load, often referring to a physical weight like cargo on a ship. In the New Testament, it is used metaphorically to describe religious obligations or spiritual burdens. In Matthew 11:30, Jesus contrasts his 'easy' burden with the heavy demands of legalism, while in Matthew 23:4 and Luke 11:46, it denotes the oppressive religious rules imposed by the Pharisees. In Galatians 6:5, it refers to the personal responsibility each believer carries.

Biblical Usage

This word appears four times in the New Testament, always in a metaphorical sense related to spiritual or religious loads. In the Gospels (Matthew 11:30, 23:4; Luke 11:46), it describes burdens associated with religious practice, either as Jesus' light yoke or the Pharisees' heavy demands. In Galatians 6:5, it shifts to the individual's own load of responsibility before God, emphasizing personal accountability.

Etymology

Derived from the Greek verb φέρω (pherō, G5342), meaning 'to bear' or 'to carry.' It is a diminutive form, literally meaning 'a little load' or 'something to be carried.' Cognates include φορτίζω (phortizō, G5412), 'to load,' and φόρτος (phortos), 'cargo.' The word emphasizes the act of bearing a weight.

Semantic Range

This word is theologically significant for understanding grace versus legalism. Jesus' 'light' burden (Matthew 11:30) contrasts with the 'heavy' burdens of human religious tradition (Matthew 23:4), highlighting the difference between the yoke of Christ and oppressive legalism. In Galatians 6:5, it underscores personal responsibility within the Christian life, balancing communal support with individual accountability before God.

In the ancient world, burdens were often physical loads carried by people or animals, or cargo on ships. The metaphorical use would resonate with an audience familiar with the weight of religious laws and social obligations. Jesus' audience understood burdens as tangible hardships, making his metaphor of a 'light' burden powerfully counter-cultural.

βάρος (baros, G922) — a weight or burden, often with a stronger emphasis on heaviness or severity; ὄγκος (ogkos, G3591) — a mass or bulk, sometimes used figuratively for a hindrance; ζυγός (zygos, G2218) — a yoke, specifically the means by which a burden is borne.

Word Details

Scripture References