### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek adverb G1423 (δυσκόλως, *dyskólōs*) is derived from the adjective δύσκολος (*dýskolos*), which means "difficult," "hard to please," or "troublesome." As an adverb, *dyskólōs* conveys the sense of "with difficulty," "hardly," "scarcely," or "impracticably." It describes an action or state that is not easily accomplished, implying a significant impediment or obstacle. The core meaning points to an extreme degree of difficulty, bordering on the impossible from a human perspective, though not necessarily absolute impossibility in all contexts. Its infrequent use in the New Testament underscores the weight and gravity of the situations it describes.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The adverb G1423 (δυσκόλως) appears exclusively in the Synoptic Gospels, specifically in the parallel accounts of Jesus' interaction with the rich young ruler. Its usage is remarkably consistent across these passages:
* **[[Matthew 19:23]]**: "Then Jesus said to His disciples, 'Truly I say to you, it is dyskólōs for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven.'"
* **[[Mark 10:23]]**: "And Jesus, looking around, said to His disciples, 'How dyskólōs will it be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!'"
* **[[Luke 18:24]]**: "But when Jesus saw that he had become very sad, He said, 'How dyskólōs it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!'"
In each instance, dyskólōs modifies the verb "to enter" (εἰσελθεῖν, *eiselthein*), emphasizing the profound difficulty a wealthy person faces in entering the kingdom of God. This statement immediately follows the rich young ruler's departure, as he was unwilling to part with his extensive possessions to follow Jesus. The disciples' subsequent astonishment (e.g., [[Matthew 19:25]]) highlights their understanding of Jesus' words as a radical challenge to conventional wisdom, which often associated wealth with divine blessing. Jesus' follow-up statement about a camel passing through the eye of a needle (e.g., [[Matthew 19:24]]) serves as a hyperbole to further illustrate this extreme difficulty, making it clear that from a human standpoint, it is practically unachievable. The difficulty is not inherent in wealth itself, but in the spiritual attachment to it, which often supplants trust in God.
### Related Words & Concepts
While G1423 (δυσκόλως) is rare, its meaning is amplified by related concepts and the broader semantic field of "difficulty" or "impossibility" in the New Testament.
* **δύσκολος (*dýskolos*):** The root adjective, though not appearing in the New Testament, directly informs the meaning of the adverb.
* **`{{G1415}}` (*dynatos*):** "Possible," "able." This word is often used in contrast to *dyskólōs*, particularly in the context of God's power. For example, after Jesus states the difficulty, He declares, "With people this is dyskólōs, but with God all things are `{{G1415}}`" (cf. [[Matthew 19:26]]).
* **`{{G1414}}` (*dynamai*):** "To be able," "to have power." This verb often describes human capacity or inability, which is contrasted with divine power.
* **`{{G4392}}` (*pragma*):** "Matter," "thing," sometimes implying a "difficulty" or "trouble" that needs to be handled.
* **`{{G795}}` (*asthenēs*):** "Weak," "powerless," "impossible." This word can describe human frailty in contrast to divine strength.
* **Wealth (πλοῦτος, *ploutos* `{{G4149}}`):** The primary obstacle in the context where dyskólōs is used. The word itself highlights the material abundance that can become a spiritual hindrance.
* **Kingdom of God (βασιλεία τοῦ θεοῦ, *basileia tou theou*):** The ultimate goal whose entry is described as dyskólōs for the wealthy. This concept underscores the spiritual nature of the kingdom, which cannot be bought or earned through earthly means.
### Theological Significance
The use of G1423 (δυσκόλως) carries profound theological weight, primarily revealing Jesus' radical teaching on the nature of salvation and the dangers of materialism.
1. **The Peril of Wealth:** Jesus' statement, marked by *dyskólōs*, exposes wealth not as a sign of divine favor (as often perceived in ancient Judaism) but as a significant spiritual impediment. The difficulty arises not from wealth itself, but from the human heart's tendency to trust in riches rather than in God (cf. [[1 Timothy 6:10]], [[1 Timothy 6:17]]). Wealth can foster self-sufficiency, pride, and a false sense of security, making one resistant to the humility and dependence required for kingdom entry.
2. **Human Inability and Divine Omnipotence:** The disciples' astonished reaction to Jesus' declaration ("Then who can be saved?" [[Matthew 19:25]]) highlights the human impossibility of overcoming this difficulty. The use of *dyskólōs* sets the stage for Jesus' crucial response: "With people this is dyskólōs, but with God all things are possible" (cf. [[Matthew 19:26]]). This underscores a core biblical truth: salvation is not achieved through human effort, merit, or renunciation, but solely through the miraculous power and grace of God. It is God who enables what is humanly dyskólōs.
3. **Radical Discipleship:** The context of the rich young ruler's failure to follow Jesus demonstrates that entering the kingdom requires a complete surrender and detachment from anything that competes with allegiance to God, especially material possessions. The dyskólōs nature of the rich man's entry serves as a call to radical, unreserved discipleship, where God alone is the source of security and hope.
### Summary
G1423 (δυσκόλως, *dyskólōs*) is an adverb meaning "with difficulty," "hardly," or "impracticably." Its singular use in the New Testament across [[Matthew 19:23]], [[Mark 10:23]], and [[Luke 18:24]] powerfully conveys the extreme challenge faced by the wealthy in entering the kingdom of God. This difficulty stems not from wealth itself, but from the spiritual attachment to it, which often prevents an individual from fully trusting in and surrendering to God. The word sets a stark contrast between human inability to overcome such a profound spiritual obstacle and the omnipotent power of God, who alone can make what is humanly dyskólōs possible. Thus, *dyskólōs* serves as a poignant reminder of the spiritual dangers of materialism and the absolute necessity of divine grace for salvation.
TRV