Introduction

Understanding Greek words is essential in Biblical studies as it provides deeper insight into the texts and contexts from which they arose. The Greek word θυμός (thymós), often translated as “wrath,” “anger,” or “passion,” carries significant weight in both New Testament interpretation and the understanding of ancient Greek culture. This word highlights the intense emotional states that influence actions, decisions, and relationships, making it a key term for exploring the interplay of emotion, morality, and spirituality in biblical and classical texts.

Key Information

• The Greek Word: θυμός (thymós) [thoo-MOS]
• Etymology: Derived from the root word θύω (thyō), meaning “to rush” or “to breathe hard,” indicating a violent movement or agitation, which evolved to represent intense feelings like anger or wrath.
• Part of Speech: Noun (masculine), second declension.
• The F.O.G Word Choice: Coming Soon.

Primary Meanings

• Passion, as in strong emotion or zeal.
• Wrath or anger, particularly in the context of intense emotional agitation.
• The mind or soul, especially in ancient philosophical contexts, referring to the seat of strong feelings.
• Courage or spiritedness, often depicted in battle contexts.

Similar Words: ὀργή (orgé) [or-GAY] is another Greek word for “anger” or “wrath.” While ὀργή emphasizes a more settled or abiding anger, θυμός suggests a more intense, explosive outburst of emotion. Another related term, πάθος (páthos) [PA-thos], means “suffering” or “passion” and often refers to emotions experienced deeply and inwardly, such as love or grief, rather than outward expressions like wrath.

Further Insights: θυμός is a second declension masculine noun, a fact that affects its morphological structure and agreement with other parts of speech in Greek sentences. Below is a table showing its full declension:

Click here for a beginners guide to reading Greek: Click here for a beginners guide to reading Greek.

Lexicon Insights

BDAG: Defines θυμός as “anger, wrath, or fury,” often describing a vehement or impulsive emotion. It is commonly used to refer to divine wrath in a theological context, especially concerning God’s judgment. The lexicon also notes that it can refer to passionate intensity in other contexts, such as zeal or courage.

Thayers: Describes θυμός as “a violent passion, as if breathing hard,” capturing both the literal and figurative senses of intense emotion. It emphasizes that the term can denote both positive and negative forms of passion, including righteous indignation and uncontrolled rage.

Vines: Focuses on θυμός as “an outburst of wrath,” distinguishing it from ὀργή by its sudden and more explosive nature. It is primarily used in contexts describing divine or human anger in moments of conflict or judgment.

LSJ: Notes that θυμός can mean “spirit, heart, mind,” particularly in the writings of Homer and other classical authors. It can also denote “passion” in a more general sense, such as courage or ardor, beyond the confines of anger.

Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance: Defines θυμός as “passion (as if breathing hard), fierceness, indignation,” emphasizing its usage in contexts involving intense emotional states or reactions. It is often associated with scenes of conflict or divine judgment.

Related Scripture References

• Revelation 14:10: “He also will drink the wine of God’s wrath, poured full strength into the cup of his anger (θυμός), and he will be tormented with fire and sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb.”
• Luke 4:28: “All the people in the synagogue were furious (θυμός) when they heard this.”
• Romans 2:8: “But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath (θυμός) and anger.”
• Revelation 15:1: “Then I saw another sign in heaven, great and amazing, seven angels with seven plagues, which are the last, for with them the wrath (θυμός) of God is finished.”

Classical Usage

Summary of θυμός (G2372)

The Greek word θυμός (thymós) encapsulates the concept of intense, often explosive, emotion—whether it be anger, wrath, or passionate zeal. Its usage in both the New Testament and classical Greek literature provides a nuanced understanding of emotional intensity and its implications in various contexts, from divine judgment to human conflict. Grasping the depth of θυμός offers readers a richer appreciation for the emotional and moral dynamics portrayed in biblical and classical texts.

Did You Know?

In ancient Greek philosophy, particularly in the works of Plato, θυμός was considered one of the three parts of the soul. It was the spirited part that mediated between reason and desire, driving humans to act courageously or, conversely, to become fiercely angry. This concept influenced early Christian thought, especially in understanding the struggle between fleshly desires and spiritual aspirations, highlighting how emotions like θυμός could be both a force for good (zeal for righteousness) or a cause for downfall (unchecked wrath).