Spiritual Decline: ψύχω (Strong’s G5594: psychō) – Love Grows Fatally Cold

Strong’s G5594: From root ψυχ- (psych-), meaning “to breathe, blow, make cold.” Primary meaning is “to cool by blowing.” In NT usage, metaphorically represents spiritual and emotional cooling, especially regarding love and devotion becoming cold or lifeless. Critical term in eschatological warnings.

U – Unveiling the Word

The Greek word ψύχω (psychō) carries profound theological significance in its metaphorical application to spiritual conditions. While its literal meaning relates to physical cooling or becoming cold, its usage in the New Testament powerfully depicts the spiritual deterioration of faith and love. This imagery draws from the natural process of heat dissipating, paralleling how spiritual fervor can gradually diminish. In early church teachings, this term served as a sobering warning about the danger of letting one’s spiritual passion fade. Today, it remains a poignant reminder of the need to maintain spiritual vigilance and nurture our faith and love for God and others.

N – Necessary Information

• Greek Word: ψύχω, psychō, /psü’-khō/
• Detailed pronunciation: psü (as in “sue”) – khō (as in “coal” without the ‘l’)
• Part of Speech: Verb

Etymology:

• Root ψυχ- (psych-): related to breathing, cooling
• -ω (-ō): Present active indicative verb ending

D – Defining Meanings

• To breathe, blow
• To make cool
• To become cold
• To grow cold (metaphorically)

For compound words: Not a compound word

Translation Options:

• “To grow cold” – Best captures both literal and metaphorical meaning
• “To cool down” – Emphasizes the process
• “To become chilled” – Captures the passive aspect

E – Exploring Similar Words

• καταψύχω (katapsychō) /kä-tä-psü’-khō/ – more intensive cooling See G2711
• ψυχρός (psychros) /psü-chro’s/ – cold, cool (adjective) See G5593

R – Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

Verb Features:

• Tense: Present
• Voice: Active/Passive
• Mood: Indicative
• Person: 1st, 2nd, 3rd
• Number: Singular/Plural
• Aspect: Progressive

In English, morphological changes would appear as:

• I cool/am cooling
• You cool/are cooling
• He/she/it cools/is cooling
• We cool/are cooling
• They cool/are cooling

S – Studying Lexicon Insights

The lexical analysis of ψύχω reveals its development from a purely physical term to one with profound spiritual implications. BDAG emphasizes its metaphorical usage in Matthew 24:12, while Thayer’s highlights its connection to spiritual declension. LSJ provides extensive classical usage examples showing its literal meaning of cooling by blowing. Vine’s expands on its figurative application to love growing cold. Strong’s connects it to the root concept of breathing or blowing. Both LEH and Moulton and Milligan provide evidence of its usage in Hellenistic Greek, showing its evolution from physical to metaphorical meanings.

T – Tracing the Scriptures

First appearance:
And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.

Additional References:
Matthew 24:12

A – Analyzing Classical Usage

N – Noteworthy Summary

The term ψύχω serves as a powerful metaphor for spiritual deterioration, particularly in the context of end-times prophecy. Its progression from physical cooling to spiritual cooling perfectly illustrates how faith and love can gradually diminish. This word reminds us that maintaining spiritual fervor requires conscious effort and dedication. The good news is that through Christ, we can maintain our spiritual warmth and passion, as He provides the eternal flame of divine love that cannot be extinguished by the world’s cooling influences.

D – Did You Know?

1. The word shares its root with modern psychological terms
2. It was commonly used in ancient medical texts to describe fever reduction
3. It’s related to the word for “soul” (ψυχή) in Greek

Strong’s G5594: From root ψυχ- (psych-), meaning “to breathe, blow, make cold.” Primary meaning is “to cool by blowing.” In NT usage, metaphorically represents spiritual and emotional cooling, especially regarding love and devotion becoming cold or lifeless. Critical term in eschatological warnings.

Part of speech: Verb

Tags: cooling, spiritual decline, love, end times, prophecy, spiritual temperature, faith, devotion, spiritual warfare, Matthew 24​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​