μετριοπαθέω
metriopathéō
G3356 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To experience emotions in a moderate or temperate manner; specifically, to be moderate, gentle, or restrained in one's feelings (especially anger or indignation), and thus to act with forbearance or compassion toward others. The term emphasizes controlling one's passions so as to respond with understanding or clemency rather than harshness. In Hellenistic moral discourse, this often implies an attitude of patient restraint toward the faults of others or one's own suffering.
Semantic Range
to moderate one's emotions, to exercise self-control in feelings, to be gentle or forbearing, to act with clemency, to have compassion, to deal gently
Root / Etymology
Derived from μετρίως ('moderately,' from μέτρον, 'measure, moderation') and the verbal stem -παθέω ('to suffer, experience feeling' from πάθος, 'passion, feeling').
Historical & Contextual Notes
μετριοπαθέω is a rare verb, found primarily in later Greek and in moral or philosophical contexts. In classical and Hellenistic literature, the underlying adjective μετριόπαθης describes someone who is moderate in emotion or not swayed by excessive feelings—contrasting excess or deficiency according to the ideal of 'μέτρον' (balance). In the New Testament (notably Hebrews 5:2), μετριοπαθέω describes the appropriate attitude of a high priest: able to deal gently with those who err, because of awareness of personal weakness. The term focuses not merely on sympathizing, but on controlled, balanced compassion—restraining excessive anger or severity. English translations often use 'deal gently' or 'have compassion,' but the concept includes moderation of passion, not emotional indulgence. The term stands in contrast to raw ὀργή (anger) or cold apathy; instead, it signals a rational, measured, empathetic response.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from a compound of the base of μετρίως and πάθος; to be moderate in passion, i.e. gentle (to treat indulgently):--have compassion.
Root Family
μετριοπαθ- (metriopathéō) — to feel moderately, to restrain emotion
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G3356-01 |
μετριοπαθεῖν | metriopathein | V PRS ACT INF |
to deal gently | to restrain one's feelings | to restrain one's feelings | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G3356-01 |
Hebrews 5:2 | μετριοπαθεῖν | metriopathein | V PRS ACT INF |
to deal gently | to restrain one's feelings | to restrain one's feelings |