ὁμοιοπαθής
homoiopathḗs
G3663 substantive adjective
SILEX Entry
Definition
Characterized by sharing similar experiences or feelings, particularly suggesting one who is subject to the same (often human) sensations, experiences, sufferings, or emotions as another. In context, it most often denotes the condition of having the same susceptibilities, especially in relation to physical or emotional responses.
Semantic Range
sharing similar feelings, affected in the same way, subject to the same experiences, of like nature, possessing similar susceptibility (to suffering or emotion), of like passions
Root / Etymology
ὁμοιοπαθής is a compound of ὅμοιος ('like, similar') and -παθής, from πάσχω ('to suffer, to experience'). Thus, the term conveys the sense of 'of like feelings' or 'similarly affected.'
Historical & Contextual Notes
The term appears infrequently in extant Greek literature, primarily in Hellenistic and later sources. In the New Testament, it is used of human beings, emphasizing shared human experiences—most notably in Acts 14:15, where Paul and Barnabas describe themselves as 'people like you, of the same feelings' in order to underline their human, non-divine nature. The term is also applied in ancient literature to denote those who are alike in their capacity for suffering or emotion (cf. Plutarch, Galen). Modern translations often render it as 'of like nature,' 'of like passions,' or 'subject to the same feelings.' However, the English phrase 'of like passions' (from older translation tradition) tends to focus narrowly on emotional susceptibility, while the Greek word more broadly includes the whole range of shared human experiences, sufferings, and susceptibilities. No theological import is embedded in the term itself; the focus is on common human experience or status.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from ὅμοιος and the alternate of πάσχω; similarly affected:--of (subject to) like passions.
Root Family
ὁμοιο-, παθ- (homoiopathḗs) — to be alike, to experience, to suffer
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G3663-01 |
ὁμοιοπαθεῖς | omoiopatheis | ADJ.S NOM M PL |
of like passions | similarly suffering ones | similarly suffering ones | 1 |
G3663-02 |
ὁμοιοπαθὴς | omoiopathes | ADJ.A NOM M SG |
subject to like passions | of like suffering | of like suffering | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G3663-01 |
Acts 14:15 | ὁμοιοπαθεῖς | omoiopatheis | ADJ.S NOM M PL |
of like passions | similarly suffering ones | similarly suffering ones |
G3663-02 |
James 5:17 | ὁμοιοπαθὴς | omoiopathes | ADJ.A NOM M SG |
subject to like passions | of like suffering | of like suffering |