Brief Overview of πόνος (Strong’s G4192: ponos)

Strong’s G4192: A noun meaning intense labor, pain, or distress. Originally denoting hard work or toil, it evolved to emphasize the pain or suffering that results from labor. In New Testament usage, particularly in Revelation, it describes severe physical or spiritual anguish.

U- Unveiling the Word

Πόνος represents the convergence of hard labor and intense suffering. While its original meaning focused on difficult work or toil, it developed to emphasize the pain and distress accompanying such exertion. In Revelation, it appears in contexts of divine judgment, describing acute suffering. Early church fathers used this term to discuss both physical martyrdom and spiritual struggle. Today, it helps us understand the relationship between labor, suffering, and divine purpose, while pointing to Christ who bore ultimate πόνος for our salvation.

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N – Necessary Information

• Greek Word: πόνος, ponos, PON-os
• Detailed pronunciation: POH-nos (stress on first syllable)
• Part of Speech: Noun

Etymology:

• Root: πένομαι (penomai) – to toil, work hard
• -ος (-os) – nominal suffix
• Simple root word without prefixes or additional components

D – Defining Meanings

• Hard labor or toil
• Pain or suffering
• Distress or anguish

Translation Options:

• “Pain” – emphasizes the suffering aspect
• “Toil” – captures the labor element
• “Distress” – encompasses both physical and emotional aspects

E – Exploring Similar Words

• μόχθος (mochthos, MOKH-thos) – hardship, difficulty – See G3449
• κόπος (kopos, KOP-os) – labor, trouble – See G2873
• ὀδύνη (odunē, od-OO-nay) – pain, sorrow – See G3601

R – Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

Morphological Features:

• Gender: Masculine
• Number: Singular/Plural
• Case: All cases possible
• Declension: 2nd declension

Example morphological changes:

• Nominative Singular: πόνος
• Genitive Singular: πόνου
• Dative Singular: πόνῳ
• Accusative Singular: πόνον

Cross-references:

• Related adjective: πονηρός (evil, causing pain)
• Related verb: πονέω (to toil, suffer)

S – Studying Lexicon Insights

BDAG emphasizes its development from labor to pain. Thayer’s notes its use in describing severe suffering. LSJ traces its classical usage in medical texts. Vine’s highlights its connection to judgment in Revelation. Strong’s connects it to toil and anguish. LEH documents Septuagint usage describing both physical and spiritual distress. Moulton and Milligan cite examples from medical papyri.

T – Tracing the Scriptures

First appearance:
Revelation 16:10: “And the fifth angel poured out his vial upon the seat of the beast; and his kingdom was full of darkness; and they gnawed their tongues for [πόνος] pain.”

Additional References:
Revelation 16:11
Revelation 21:4

A – Analyzing Classical Usage

N – Noteworthy Summary

Πόνος reminds us that suffering and labor are deeply intertwined in human experience. Yet in Christ, we see both transformed – He endured supreme πόνος on the cross, turning the worst suffering into redemption. Revelation promises an end to all πόνος in God’s kingdom, where Christ’s labor of love brings eternal relief from pain and toil.

D – Did You Know?

1. Ancient medical texts used πόνος to describe specific disease symptoms.
2. Early Christian martyrdom accounts often employed this term to describe their sufferings.
3. The word influenced the development of Christian theology regarding redemptive suffering.

Strong’s G4192: A noun meaning intense labor, pain, or distress. Originally denoting hard work or toil, it evolved to emphasize the pain or suffering that results from labor. In New Testament usage, particularly in Revelation, it describes severe physical or spiritual anguish.

Part of speech: Noun

Tags: pain, suffering, labor, toil, Revelation, judgment, divine purpose, redemption, healing, eschatology​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​