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πάθημα

páthēma

G3804 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

Experience or state of undergoing; specifically, a suffering, affliction, or experience of distress; in certain contexts, a passion or strong feeling (emotion), usually in reference to a negative or undesirable state.

Semantic Range

what is experienced, suffering, affliction, misfortune, emotional passion, strong feeling (often negative), distress, undergoing hardship

Root / Etymology

From πάθος (‘that which one undergoes, suffering, experience, emotion, passion’) with the nominal suffix -μα indicating result or product; πάθημα denotes the result of undergoing (an action or experience).

Historical & Contextual Notes

πάθημα in classical Greek often refers to anything undergone, including both physical and mental experiences, with a strong association to suffering or misfortune. In Hellenistic and Koine usage, including the Septuagint and New Testament, the term primarily denotes suffering, affliction, or hardships, particularly as endured by a person, but can also refer more generally to experiences or passions—usually negative emotional states or experiences tied to human frailty. In philosophical contexts, especially among Stoic and Hellenistic moralists, πάθημα and its root πάθος are associated with passions or emotional disturbances to be overcome or controlled. In the New Testament, use of πάθημα often aligns with the concept of suffering—either physical or emotional—endured, for example, as a consequence of following the way of Messiah or as a descriptor of sinful desires (as in Romans 7:5, where sinful passions are denoted by the plural πάθηματα). Standard English translations such as 'suffering,' 'affliction,' 'passion,' or 'emotion' each capture only one aspect; the Greek term covers a wider semantic field linking external hardship to internal emotional or passionate response. Contrast with πάθος ('passion, experience'), πόνος ('toil, pain, effort'), and ἀλγος ('pain'), which highlight different nuances of suffering or emotional disturbance.

Translation Consistency

primary "suffering" 15 occurrences

πάθημα most often denotes an experience of distress, affliction, or hardship. ‘‘Suffering’’ is the natural, commonly used English noun that captures the primary, typically negative sense (and can be used in singular or plural contexts—e.g. ‘‘suffering’’/‘‘sufferings’’—so it supports consistent renderings across all forms).

Alternatives (1 occurrence):
"passions" (1x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from a presumed derivative of πάθος; something undergone, i.e. hardship or pain; subjectively, an emotion or influence:-- affection, affliction, motion, suffering.

Root Family

πάθημα (pathēma) — what is undergone, suffering, affliction, distress, painful experience, negative passion

Root παθ- to undergo, to experience, to suffer, to feel

Word Forms

4 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G3804-04 παθημάτων pathematon N GEN N PL sufferings of sufferings of sufferings 7
G3804-02 παθήμασιν pathemasin N DAT N PL sufferings in sufferings in sufferings 4
G3804-03 παθήματα pathemata N NOM N PL sufferings sufferings sufferings 4
G3804-01 πάθημα pathema N ACC N SG suffering a suffering suffering 1

Occurrences in Scripture

16 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G3804-03 Romans 7:5 παθήματα pathemata N NOM N PL passions sufferings sufferings
G3804-03 Romans 8:18 παθήματα pathemata N NOM N PL sufferings sufferings sufferings
G3804-03 2 Corinthians 1:5 παθήματα pathemata N NOM N PL sufferings sufferings sufferings
G3804-04 2 Corinthians 1:6 παθημάτων pathematon N GEN N PL sufferings of sufferings of sufferings
G3804-04 2 Corinthians 1:7 παθημάτων pathematon N GEN N PL sufferings of sufferings of sufferings
G3804-02 Galatians 5:24 παθήμασιν pathemasin N DAT N PL passions in sufferings passions
G3804-04 Philippians 3:10 παθημάτων pathematon N GEN N PL of sufferings of sufferings of sufferings
G3804-02 Colossians 1:24 παθήμασιν pathemasin N DAT N PL sufferings in sufferings in sufferings
G3804-02 2 Timothy 3:11 παθήμασιν pathemasin N DAT N PL sufferings in sufferings in sufferings
G3804-01 Hebrews 2:9 πάθημα pathema N ACC N SG suffering a suffering suffering
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