Understanding ἀγανάκτησις (aganaktēsis) Strong’s G24: The Intense Indignation that Reveals Divine Justice

ἀγανάκτησις – Pronunciation Guide: ah-gan-AK-tay-sis

Basic Definition

Strong’s G24: A feminine noun denoting deep indignation or vexation, specifically referring to a profound feeling of moral outrage or legitimate anger in response to injustice. This word carries the connotation of being stirred up emotionally due to witnessing or experiencing something that violates one’s sense of what is right and proper.

Word Study

• Part of Speech: Feminine Noun
• Language Origin: Compound word from ἄγαν (agan, “much, very”) and ἄχθος (achthos, “grief, pain”)

Morphology:

• Nominative Singular: ἀγανάκτησις (aganaktēsis) – indignation
• Genitive Singular: ἀγανακτήσεως (aganaktēseōs) – of indignation
• Dative Singular: ἀγανακτήσει (aganaktēsei) – with/by indignation
• Accusative Singular: ἀγανάκτησιν (aganaktēsin) – indignation

Word Origin & History

The term ἀγανάκτησις emerges from classical Greek literature where it described a visceral reaction to perceived wrongdoing or injustice. In medical writings of Hippocrates, it was used to describe physical irritation or disturbance, suggesting its original connection to tangible discomfort before evolving into emotional and moral contexts.

The intensifier ἄγαν combined with the notion of burden (ἄχθος) creates a vivid picture of someone bearing the heavy weight of righteous anger. This combination emphasizes that the indignation expressed is not merely casual displeasure but a weighty, justified response.

Biblical Usage

In the New Testament, ἀγανάκτησις appears most notably in 2 Corinthians 7:11, where Paul describes the Corinthian church’s response to his corrective letter. The word characterizes their genuine moral outrage at sin within their congregation, demonstrating true repentance.

Key Passages:

• 2 Corinthians 7:11 – The righteous indignation of genuine repentance
• Mark 10:14 – Related verb form showing Jesus’s indignation at disciples hindering children

Cultural Insights

In the Greco-Roman world, ἀγανάκτησις was often associated with philosophical discussions about justice and moral virtue. Stoic philosophers particularly emphasized the distinction between this kind of righteous indignation and common anger, viewing it as an appropriate response of the virtuous person to moral corruption.

Theological Significance

The concept of ἀγανάκτησις provides insight into godly anger and righteous indignation. It helps us understand that not all anger is sinful – there exists a holy indignation that reflects God’s own character and His response to evil and injustice.

This word serves as a bridge between human emotional response and divine justice, showing how our moral outrage at sin can align with God’s perfect righteousness. It demonstrates that part of being transformed into the image of Christ includes developing appropriate emotional responses to evil.

Personal Application

Believers today can learn to distinguish between selfish anger and righteous indignation. This word challenges us to examine our emotional responses: Are we appropriately moved by injustice and sin? Do we feel godly sorrow leading to repentance when confronted with our own failings?

Related Words

• θυμός (thymos) – passion, anger, wrath – See G2372
• ὀργή (orgē) – wrath, anger – See G3709
• παροργισμός (parorgismos) – anger, exasperation – See G3950

Did you Know?

• The verb form ἀγανακτέω appears in papyri documents where citizens express formal complaints about injustice to authorities
• Modern Greek still uses this word family to describe legitimate protests against wrongdoing
• The concept influenced early Christian martyrs who expressed holy indignation at pagan practices while maintaining love for their persecutors

Remember This

Holy indignation is the soul’s righteous response to that which opposes God’s perfect will.