Brief Overview of πωρόω (Strong’s G4456: pōroō)
Strong’s G4456: A verb meaning “to harden” or “to make callous,” particularly referring to spiritual hardening. In New Testament usage, describes the condition of spiritual insensitivity or resistance to divine truth. Derived from πῶρος (callus), metaphorically indicating hardened heart or mind.
U- Unveiling the Word
πωρόω represents a profound spiritual condition of hardening or becoming callous to divine truth. Originally referring to the physical process of forming a callus or hardening of tissue, it developed metaphorical significance describing spiritual insensitivity. In New Testament usage, it particularly describes the condition of hearts and minds that resist spiritual understanding. Early church fathers used this term to discuss the dangerous progression of spiritual resistance and the need for divine intervention to soften hardened hearts. Today, this word continues to warn believers about the danger of becoming spiritually insensitive while pointing to Christ’s power to soften hardened hearts.
N – Necessary Information
- Greek Word: πωρόω, pōroō, /poˈroō/
- Pronunciation Guide: “po-RO-oh” (stress on second syllable)
- Part of Speech: Verb
Etymology:
- Root: πωρ- (pōr-) from πῶρος meaning “callus” or “hardness”
- Suffix: -όω (-oō) – causative verbal suffix
- Creates verb meaning “to make hard” or “cause to become callous”
D – Defining Meanings
- To harden
- To make callous
- To become spiritually insensitive
- To dull understanding
- To make stubborn
Translation Options:
- To harden – Best captures both physical and spiritual sense
- To make callous – Emphasizes progressive nature
- To dull – Highlights effect on understanding
E – Exploring Similar Words
- σκληρύνω (sklērunō) /skleˈryno/ – to make hard or stubborn – See G4645
- πώρωσις (pōrōsis) /ˈporosis/ – hardness, stubbornness – See G4457
- τυφλόω (tuphloō) /tyˈfloo/ – to blind, make dull – See G5186
R – Reviewing the Word’s Morphology
Morphological Features (Verb):
- Tense: Present, Perfect, Aorist
- Voice: Active, Passive
- Mood: Indicative, Participle
- Person: Third
- Number: Singular, Plural
- Aspect: Ongoing (present), Complete (perfect)
Examples:
- Present Passive: πωροῦται (is being hardened)
- Perfect Passive: πεπώρωται (has been hardened)
- Aorist Passive: ἐπωρώθη (was hardened)
S – Studying Lexicon Insights
BDAG emphasizes its metaphorical use for spiritual insensitivity. Thayer’s traces its development from medical to spiritual usage. LSJ provides examples from medical literature. Vine’s highlights its use in describing spiritual condition. Strong’s connects it to willful spiritual blindness. LEH traces its Septuagint usage describing stubborn hearts. Moulton and Milligan show its medical usage in papyri.
T – Tracing the Scriptures
First Appearance:
“For they considered not the miracle of the loaves: for their heart was [πεπωρωμένη] hardened.” Mark 6:52
Additional References:
Mark 8:17, John 12:40, Romans 11:7, 2 Corinthians 3:14
A – Analyzing Classical Usage
| Author: Work | Text |
|---|---|
| Hippocrates: On Fractures | “The bone [πωρωθέν] became hardened as it healed” |
| Galen: On Medical Art | “The tissue [πωρωθείσης] grew callous from constant pressure” |
| Aristotle: Historia Animalium | “The shell [πωροῦται] hardens when exposed to air” |
N – Noteworthy Summary
πωρόω serves as both warning and hope in the gospel narrative. While it describes the serious condition of spiritual hardening, it also implies the possibility of divine softening. The good news is that Christ can overcome even the most hardened heart, bringing spiritual sensitivity and understanding where there was once only callousness and resistance.
D – Did You Know?
- The medical origin of this term influenced early Christian understanding of spiritual healing.
- Medieval theologians developed extensive teachings about stages of spiritual hardening based on this word.
- The term contributed to medical vocabulary, influencing words like “porosis” in bone conditions.
Strong’s G4456: A verb describing the process of becoming spiritually hardened or callous, derived from medical terminology. Used metaphorically in New Testament to describe resistance to divine truth and spiritual insensitivity. Implies both warning and possibility of healing.
Part of speech: Verb
Tags: hardening, callousness, spiritual resistance, understanding, blindness, heart, mind, stubbornness, spiritual condition, divine truth, sensitivity, healing
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