Topical Encyclopedia
In the biblical context, the concept of "painful" encompasses physical, emotional, and spiritual suffering. Pain is a recurring theme throughout the Scriptures, often serving as a consequence of sin, a test of faith, or a means of spiritual growth.
Old Testament ReferencesThe origin of pain is first introduced in Genesis, following the fall of man. As a result of Adam and Eve's disobedience, God pronounces a curse that includes pain: "To the woman He said, 'I will sharply increase your pain in childbirth; in pain you will bring forth children. Your desire will be for your husband, and he will rule over you'" (
Genesis 3:16). This passage highlights the introduction of pain into human experience as a direct consequence of sin.
The Book of Job provides a profound exploration of pain and suffering. Job, a righteous man, endures intense physical and emotional pain as a test of his faith. Despite his suffering, Job remains steadfast, ultimately declaring, "Though He slays me, I will hope in Him. I will surely defend my ways to His face" (
Job 13:15). Job's account illustrates the complex relationship between human suffering and divine sovereignty.
New Testament ReferencesIn the New Testament, pain is often associated with the trials and tribulations faced by believers. Jesus Himself experienced profound physical and emotional pain, culminating in His crucifixion. In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus expresses His anguish: "My soul is consumed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with Me" (
Matthew 26:38). His suffering serves as the ultimate act of redemption for humanity.
The Apostle Paul frequently addresses the theme of suffering in his epistles. In
Romans 8:18, he writes, "I consider that our present sufferings are not comparable to the glory that will be revealed in us" . Paul emphasizes that the pain experienced in this life is temporary and serves a greater purpose in God's redemptive plan.
Theological ImplicationsFrom a theological perspective, pain is often viewed as a tool used by God to refine and strengthen the faith of believers.
Hebrews 12:11 states, "No discipline seems enjoyable at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it yields a harvest of righteousness and peace to those who have been trained by it" . This passage suggests that pain, while difficult, can lead to spiritual growth and maturity.
Furthermore, the Bible offers hope and comfort to those experiencing pain.
Revelation 21:4 provides a vision of a future without pain: "He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the former things have passed away" . This promise assures believers of a time when pain will be eradicated, and eternal joy will be realized.
Practical ApplicationsBelievers are encouraged to respond to pain with faith and perseverance.
James 1:2-4 advises, "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, when you encounter trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Allow perseverance to finish its work, so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything" . This perspective encourages Christians to view pain as an opportunity for growth and reliance on God's strength.
In summary, the biblical understanding of "painful" encompasses a multifaceted view of suffering, recognizing its role in the human experience while offering hope and redemption through faith in God.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
a.) Full of pain; causing uneasiness or distress, either physical or mental; afflictive; disquieting; distressing.
2. (a.) Requiring labor or toil; difficult; executed with laborious effort; as a painful service; a painful march.
3. (a.) Painstaking; careful; industrious.
Greek
265. hamartema -- a sin... Cognate: 265 (a neuter noun derived from 264 , "to sin") -- a , focusing on its
(note the suffix), ie "the
painful linkages of sin." See 266 ().
...489. antimisthia -- a reward
... 489 (from 473 , "matching, corresponding" and 3408 , "reward") -- properly,
reward; compensation (which can be pleasant orpainful)....
3600. odunao -- to cause or suffer pain
... 3600 (from 3601 , "painful sorrow") -- properly, to experience intense emotional
pain (, 2, 223), ie deep, personal expressed by great ()....
3958. pascho -- to suffer, to be acted on
... and pentho (pen'-tho), used only in certain tenses for it apparently a primary verb;
to experience a sensation or impression (usuallypainful) -- feel, passion...
2852. kolaphizo -- to strike with the fist
... hard "with the knuckles, to make the blow sting and crush . . in 2 Cor 12:7 the
idea is striking with something sharp andpainful, sticking deeply in...
Strong's Hebrew
4834. marats -- to be sick... 4833, 4834. marats. 4835 . to be sick. Transliteration: marats Phonetic Spelling:
(maw-rats') Short Definition:
painful. Word Origin a prim.
...6089a. etseb -- a hurt, pain, toil
... Word Origin from atsab Definition a hurt, pain, toil NASB Word Usage hard-earned
goods (1), harsh (1), labor (1), pain (1),painful labors (1), sorrow (1)....
3992. maar -- to prick, to pain
... fretting, picking. A primitive root; to be bitter or (causatively) to embitter,
ie Bepainful -- fretting, picking. 3991, 3992. maar. 3993 . Strong's Numbers
4341. makob -- pain
... Word Origin from kaab Definition pain NASB Word Usage pain (10),painful (1),
sorrow (1), sorrows (3), sufferings (1). grief, pain, sorrow....
5999. amal -- trouble, labor, toil
... grievance, iniquity, labor, mischief, misery,painful, perverseness, sorrow,.
From amal; toil, ie Wearing effort; hence, worry, wheth....
6089. etseb -- a hurt, pain, toil
... From atsab; an earthen vessel; usually (painful) toil; also a pang (whether of body
or mind): grievous, idol, labor, sorrow. see HEBREW atsab. 6088, 6089....
3510. kaab -- to be in pain
... Word Origin a prim. root Definition to be in pain NASB Word Usage cause him grief
(1), inflicts pain (1), mar (1), pain (3),painful (1), pains (1)....
Library
Letter xxi. --ThingsPainful to Nature.
... ARIDITIES, WEAKNESSES AND WEARINESS. Letter XXI."ThingsPainful to Nature.
To... 1731). Thingspainful to nature are good for the soul....
Wherefore Christ Undertook a Method of Setting us Free SoPainful...
... CHAPTER VIII Wherefore Christ undertook a method of setting us free sopainful and
laborious, when a word from Him, or an act of His will, would alone have...
After This, Wishing to Prove that the Occurrences which Befell Him...
... Chapter XXIV. After this, wishing to prove that the occurrences which befell
Him werepainful and distressing? After this, wishing...
How Important and Necessary it Is, to the Interiour Soul, to...
... by God, surrounded by temptations, darkness, anguish, affliction, sorrows and rigid
drowths, doth taste of Death every moment in itspainful Torment and...
2 Cor. vii. 8
... insomuch that I even condemned myself, I praise myself now from the result.' Just
as with little children, when they have undergone apainful remedy, such as...
Matt. x. 34
... Again, He sets forth the things that are morepainful, and that with great aggravation:
and the objection they were sure to meet Him with, He prevents them by...
Of the Wound of Love.
... For he might say: it is true, that its honey is very pleasant to my taste, but its
sting is verypainful, and while its sting remains in my cheek I cannot be...
Prayer and Trouble
... Rich and poor alike, the learned and the ignorant, one and all are partakers
of this sad andpainful inheritance of the fall of man....
A Night on the Lake
... They were to be grievously tried. Their long-cherished hopes, based on a popular
delusion, were to be disappointed in a mostpainful and humiliating manner....
Touching Certain Forms of Immediate Acts, &C. ...
... God, than particularly, directly, and expressly; and let them not be scrupulous
herein, out of an opinion that at such times God expectspainful remorses from...
Thesaurus
Painful (18 Occurrences)... 2. (a.) Requiring labor or toil; difficult; executed with laborious effort; as
a
painful service; a
painful march.
...Painful (18 Occurrences).
...Sore (156 Occurrences)
... 4. (superl.) Tender to the touch; susceptible of pain from pressure; inflamed;
painful; -- said of the body or its parts; as, a sore hand....
Jealousy (54 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary. (n.) The quality of being jealous; earnest concern or
solicitude;painful apprehension of rivalship in cases nearly affecting one's...
Loins (72 Occurrences)
... which is girded about, and is considered as specially needful of covering, even
under primitive conditions of life (Job 31:20), and wherepainful disease most...
Fear (970 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) Apainful emotion or passion excited by the expectation of evil, or the
apprehension of impending danger; apprehension; anxiety; solicitude; alarm...
Travail (54 Occurrences)
... woman clothed with the sun (Revelation 12:2). In the majority of passages, however,
"travail" is used figuratively, to express extreme andpainful sorrow (9...
Bitter (203 Occurrences)
... 3. (vt) Causing pain or smart; piercing;painful; sharp; severe; as, a bitter
cold day.... 6. (vt) Mournful; sad; distressing;painful; pitiable....
Scorpion (6 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) The pine or gray lizard (Sceloporus undulatus). 3. (n.) The scorpene. 4.
(n.) Apainful scourge. 5. (n.) A sign and constellation. See Scorpio....
Sour (15 Occurrences)
... reply. 4. (superl.) Afflictive;painful. 5. (superl... marsh. 6. (n.) A sour or
acid substance; whatever produces apainful effect. 7. (vt...
Second (2060 Occurrences)
... RESUME OF EVENTS III. THE NEW SITUATION 1. The Offender 2. The False Teachers
3. ThePainful Visit 4. The Severe Letter IV. HISTORICAL...
Resources
Why did God punish women with pain in childbirth (Genesis 3:16)? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about the hornet? | GotQuestions.orgWhy do babies die? | GotQuestions.orgPainful: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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