Divine Transformation: τιμωρέω (Strong’s G5097: timoreo) Shows Persecution’s Reversal

Strong’s G5097: A verb meaning “to punish, avenge, or exact retribution,” from τιμωρός (avenger). Used in Acts to describe Paul’s pre-conversion persecution of Christians, highlighting the transformative power of God’s grace in turning a persecutor into a proclaimer.

U- Unveiling the Word

τιμωρέω embodies the concept of retributive punishment or vengeance in the New Testament. This word appears significantly in Paul’s testimony, describing his former role as a persecutor of Christians. The term carries legal and moral weight, implying punishment undertaken with perceived authority or justice. The early church saw profound significance in how God transformed one who wielded this verb into an apostle who suffered its effects for Christ’s sake. Today, it continues to remind believers of both the reality of persecution and God’s power to transform persecutors into proclaimers of the Gospel.

N – Necessary Information

• Greek Word: τιμωρέω, timoreo, /ti-mo-REH-oh/
• Detailed pronunciation: tee-mo-REH-oh (emphasis on REH)
• Part of Speech: Verb

Etymology:

• τιμή (time) – “honor” or “value”
• οὖρος (ouros) – “watcher” or “guardian”
• -έω (-eo) – verbal suffix
• Combined to mean “to guard honor” through punishment

D – Defining Meanings

• To punish
• To exact vengeance
• To persecute
• To carry out justice
• To avenge

For compound words:
The root combines honor-watching with verbal action to indicate punishment that upholds honor or justice

Translation Options:

• “Punish” – Emphasizing judicial action
• “Persecute” – In religious context
• “Take vengeance” – Emphasizing retribution

E – Exploring Similar Words

• κολάζω (kolazo) /ko-LAD-zo/ – to punish, chastise. See G2849
• διώκω (dioko) /dee-O-ko/ – to pursue, persecute. See G1377
• ἐκδικέω (ekdikeo) /ek-di-KE-o/ – to avenge. See G1556

R – Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

Morphological features as a Verb:

• Tense: Present/Aorist
• Voice: Active/Middle/Passive
• Mood: Indicative/Subjunctive/Infinitive
• Person: First/Second/Third
• Number: Singular/Plural
• Aspect: Continuous/Perfective

Key forms:

• Present Active: τιμωρέω (I punish)
• Aorist: ἐτιμώρησα (I punished)
• Passive: τιμωρέομαι (I am punished)
• Infinitive: τιμωρεῖν (to punish)

S – Studying Lexicon Insights

BDAG emphasizes τιμωρέω’s use in contexts of official persecution. Thayer’s notes its connection to concepts of honor and justice. LSJ documents its use in legal and political contexts. Vine’s highlights its appearance in Paul’s testimony of conversion. Strong’s connects it to fundamental concepts of guardianship of honor. Moulton and Milligan provide evidence of its use in legal documents. The synthesis reveals a term that carries both legal and moral weight, particularly significant in describing religious persecution.

T – Tracing the Scriptures

First appearance:
“As also the high priest doth bear me witness, and all the estate of the elders: from whom also I received letters unto the brethren, and went to Damascus, to bring them which were there bound unto Jerusalem, for to be [punished] [τιμωρέω].” Acts 22:5

Additional References:
Acts 26:11

A – Analyzing Classical Usage

Author: Work	Text
Thucydides: History	“The city [punished] [τιμωρέω] those who betrayed their allies.”
Plato: Laws	“The guardians must [exact justice] [τιμωρέω] against lawbreakers.”
Demosthenes: Against Meidias	“The court should [avenge] [τιμωρέω] wrongs done to citizens.”

N – Noteworthy Summary

τιμωρέω appears in Scripture as a powerful testimony to God’s transforming grace. In Paul’s conversion narrative, this word shows how God can transform a zealous persecutor into a passionate proclaimer of the Gospel. It proclaims the good news that King Jesus’s power can overcome even the most dedicated opposition, turning instruments of persecution into vessels of grace.

D – Did You Know?

1. The word was used in ancient legal documents for official punishment.
2. Paul uses it to describe both his pre-conversion actions and later sufferings.
3. It appears in early church martyrdom accounts.

Strong’s G5097: A verb meaning “to punish, avenge, or exact retribution,” from τιμωρός (avenger). Used in Acts to describe Paul’s pre-conversion persecution of Christians, highlighting the transformative power of God’s grace in turning a persecutor into a proclaimer.

Part of speech: Verb

Tags: punishment, persecution, vengeance, justice, Paul, conversion, transformation, authority, grace, retribution, legal terms, martyrdom​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​