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κακοπαθέω

kakopathéō

G2553 verb

SILEX Entry

Root κακοπαθ- to experience adversity, to suffer hardship, to endure trouble

Definition

To suffer hardship, to experience distress or adversity; generally refers to undergoing physical, emotional, or situational difficulty, especially but not exclusively in the context of enduring trials, persecution, or misfortune. The term can refer to any form of suffering, not limited to specific types of hardship, and often implies active endurance through troubles.

Semantic Range

to endure hardship, to be afflicted, to suffer adversity, to experience distress, to undergo suffering

Root / Etymology

From the compound κακός (bad, evil) + πάσχω (to suffer), forming a verb that means 'to suffer badly' or 'to undergo hardship.' Closely related to the noun κακοπάθεια (suffering, hardship). The formation highlights the qualitative aspect—i.e., the adversity or negative nature of what is suffered.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, the term is rare or unattested; its use is largely characteristic of later Greek (especially Koine). In the New Testament, κακοπαθέω primarily appears in contexts emphasizing endurance under hardship, both physical (e.g., persecution, violence) and psychological (e.g., emotional distress, adversity in faith). For example, James 5:13 uses it in a general sense ('Is anyone among you suffering?'), while 2 Timothy 2:9 and 4:5 use it in the context of suffering for the sake of the message or mission. The verb is distinct from πάσχω, which has a broader range and can refer to any kind of experience or suffering; κακοπαθέω specifically emphasizes the negative, adverse, or severe character of the experience. Standard English renderings like 'suffer hardship,' 'endure affliction,' or 'be afflicted' capture the main sense but may miss the nuance of active, ongoing endurance. The noun κακοπάθεια (G2552) functions similarly. No significant shift in meaning between Septuagint and New Testament, though the verb’s usage is almost exclusively post-classical and tied to Hellenistic-Judean and early Christian literature.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from the same as κακοπάθεια; to undergo hardship:--be afflicted, endure afflictions (hardness), suffer trouble.

Root Family

κακοπαθέω (kakopathéō) — to suffer hardship, to endure trouble, to experience adversity

Word Forms

3 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
G2553-02 κακοπάθησον kakopatheson V AOR ACT IMP 2P SG endure hardship Endure hardship 1
G2553-03 κακοπαθῶ kakopatho V PRS ACT IND 1P SG I suffer hardship I endure hardship 1
G2553-01 κακοπαθεῖ kakopathei V PRS ACT IND 3P SG suffering he/she endures hardship 1

Occurrences in Scripture

3 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
G2553-03 2 Timothy 2:9 κακοπαθῶ kakopatho V PRS ACT IND 1P SG I suffer hardship I endure hardship
G2553-02 2 Timothy 4:5 κακοπάθησον kakopatheson V AOR ACT IMP 2P SG endure hardship Endure hardship
G2553-01 James 5:13 κακοπαθεῖ kakopathei V PRS ACT IND 3P SG suffering he/she endures hardship
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