Library Home
>
Authors
>
George A. Morrish
>
Concise Bible Dictionary: Appendix
>
45. Pain. Travail. Labor. Weariness. The Words (#181616)
45. Pain. Travail. Labor. Weariness. The Words
Article download …
Download PDF
Download RTF (editable)
Print
Send via email
Share on Facebook
Share on X (Twitter)
From:
Concise Bible Dictionary: Appendix
By:
George A. Morrish
The words κόπος, πόνος,
and ὠδίν
have similar meanings, but there are different ideas connected with them. ὠδίν occurs but four times in the N. T. It refers literally to the pangs of a woman in childbirth, in which sense it occurs in
1 Thess. 5:3
3
For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. (1 Thessalonians 5:3)
; twice it refers to the pangs that will seize the wicked when God's judgments are poured out upon the earth,
Matt. 24:8
8
All these are the beginning of sorrows. (Matthew 24:8)
;
Mark 13:8
8
For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be earthquakes in divers places, and there shall be famines and troubles: these are the beginnings of sorrows. (Mark 13:8)
; and once in reference to the pains of death endured by the Lord.
Acts 2:24
24
Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it. (Acts 2:24)
.
μόχθος
(from μογέω, 'to labor, be in distress') occurs three times in the N. T. It has been judged to refer to the toil which is the lot of man in this world of sin, answering to "in the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread." This seems to be confirmed by Paul's twice using it in reference to his labors (travail, A. V.), having to work night and day in addition to his apostolic work.
1 Thess. 2:9
9
For ye remember, brethren, our labor and travail: for laboring night and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God. (1 Thessalonians 2:9)
;
2 Thess. 3:8
8
Neither did we eat any man's bread for nought; but wrought with labor and travail night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you: (2 Thessalonians 3:8)
. In
2 Cor. 11:27
27
In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. (2 Corinthians 11:27)
it is joined with κόπος
where Paul describes his life of labor and toil ("weariness [κό.] and painfulness [μό.]" A. V.), as well as the dangers he passed through.
πόνος (from πένομαι, 'to labor ') occurs three times in the N. T., twice referring to the ‘distress' that will attend the pouring out of God's judgments, and once to when there will be no distress or pain.
Rev. 16:10, 11; 21:4
10
And the fifth angel poured out his vial upon the seat of the beast; and his kingdom was full of darkness; and they gnawed their tongues for pain,
11
And blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, and repented not of their deeds. (Revelation 16:10‑11)
4
And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. (Revelation 21:4)
. (Some editors read πόνος in
Col. 4:13
13
For I bear him record, that he hath a great zeal for you, and them that are in Laodicea, and them in Hierapolis. (Colossians 4:13)
instead of ζῆλος.) The word is used by the LXX for the rigorous bondage of the Israelites in Egypt.
Exod. 2:11
11
And it came to pass in those days, when Moses was grown, that he went out unto his brethren, and looked on their burdens: and he spied an Egyptian smiting an Hebrew, one of his brethren. (Exodus 2:11)
. It seems to express the extremity of distress.
κόπος
(from κόπτω, 'to strike ') occurs often in the N. T. In the A. V. it is translated ‘weariness' in
2 Cor. 11:27
27
In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. (2 Corinthians 11:27)
; ‘trouble' and ‘labor' often. Perhaps the weariness of labor and trouble marks this word.
In the LXX three of the above words are attributed to Job's wife in her despair under the dealings of Satan. "The pangs (ὠδῖνες) and pains (πόνοι) of my womb which I bore in vain with sorrows (μόχθων)"—having lost her sons and daughters.
Job 2:9
9
Then said his wife unto him, Dost thou still retain thine integrity? curse God, and die. (Job 2:9)
.
Click here to show subject links in the text for more information.
Previous Article
Next Article
Call: 1-630-543-1441
“Study to show thyself approved unto God, … rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15).
Audio
Authors
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
Q
R
S
T
U
V
W
Y
Z
All Authors
Bibles
Books
All Books and eBooks
Commentaries
Hymnbooks
Magazines
Reference
Stories & Bios
Subjects
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
Q
R
S
T
U
V
W
X
Y
Z
All Subjects
Bible Truth Study Bible
Español (Spanish)
More
All Articles
Charts
Conferences & Events
Hymnbooks
Illustrations & Quotes
Maps
Magazines
Poetry
Sunday School
Store