### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek verb `{{G2553}}` (kakopathéō) is a compound word derived from κακός (kakos, meaning "bad," "evil," or "unpleasant") and πάθος (pathos, meaning "suffering," "experience," or "passion"). Literally, it signifies "to suffer badly" or "to experience evil." Its core meaning denotes the act of undergoing hardship, affliction, or trouble. Unlike a passive reception of suffering, `{{G2553}}` often implies an active endurance or a deliberate willingness to bear difficulty. The semantic range extends from general affliction to specific hardships endured for a cause, particularly in the context of Christian discipleship and ministry. It speaks to the resilience required to navigate challenging circumstances.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term `{{G2553}}` appears four times in the New Testament, primarily in the Pastoral Epistles and once in the Epistle of James.
1. **[[2 Timothy 2:3]]**: Paul exhorts Timothy, "Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus." Here, the verb συγκακοπάθησον (sygkakopathēson), a compound of σύν (syn, "with") and `{{G2553}}`, emphasizes shared suffering. It frames hardship as an integral part of a soldier's discipline and loyalty to their commander, Christ. The context is one of unwavering commitment in the face of opposition to the gospel.
2. **[[2 Timothy 2:9]]**: Paul describes his own experience: "for which I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal." Paul uses κακοπαθῶ (kakopathō) to articulate the intense personal affliction he endures *because of* his proclamation of the gospel. This highlights that suffering is not a sign of failure but a consequence of faithfulness, and it serves to advance God's Word.
3. **[[2 Timothy 4:5]]**: Again, Paul charges Timothy, "But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry." The imperative κακοπάθησον (kakopathēson) is a direct command to Timothy to embrace and persevere through difficulties inherent in his ministry. It is presented as a necessary component of faithful service, alongside sobriety and diligence.
4. **[[James 5:13]]**: "Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray." Here, Κακοπαθεῖ (Kakopathei) is used in a more general sense, referring to anyone experiencing hardship or affliction. The immediate response prescribed is prayer, indicating that `{{G2553}}` encompasses a broad spectrum of personal distress for which divine intervention is sought.
Across these contexts, `{{G2553}}` consistently points to the reality of suffering in the Christian life, whether as a specific calling (like a soldier or evangelist) or as a general human experience, always with a call to a spiritual response (endurance, prayer).
### Related Words & Concepts
`{{G2553}}` is closely related to other terms describing suffering and endurance in the New Testament.
* **`{{G3958}}` (paschō)**: A more general term for "to suffer" or "to experience," encompassing both positive and negative experiences. `{{G2553}}` is a specific kind of suffering – hardship or affliction.
* **`{{G2347}}` (thlipsis)**: Often translated as "tribulation," "affliction," or "distress." This noun refers to the external pressure or crushing circumstances that cause suffering. `{{G2553}}` describes the *act* of enduring these circumstances.
* **`{{G5278}}` (hypomenō)**: Meaning "to endure," "to persevere," or "to remain under." While `{{G5278}}` emphasizes steadfastness *through* trials, `{{G2553}}` highlights the active experience of the hardship itself. `{{G2553}}` often necessitates `{{G5278}}`.
* **`{{G1935}}` (epididōmi)**: Not a direct synonym but related conceptually. The noun κακοπάθεια (kakopatheia, `{{G2552}}`), from which `{{G2553}}` is derived, means "suffering evil" or "hardship."
Concepts closely associated with `{{G2553}}` include:
* **Discipleship**: The call to follow Christ often entails suffering, mirroring Christ's own path.
* **Perseverance**: The ability to continue in faith despite adversity.
* **Spiritual Warfare**: The hardships faced are often seen as part of a larger spiritual conflict.
* **Martyrdom**: The ultimate endurance of hardship for the faith.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of `{{G2553}}` is profound, shaping the understanding of Christian life and ministry.
1. **Integral to Discipleship**: `{{G2553}}` underscores that suffering is not an anomaly but an expected, even necessary, component of following Christ. Just as Christ suffered, so too will His followers (cf. [[Matthew 10:24-25]]). This perspective transforms suffering from a deterrent into a mark of authentic discipleship.
2. **Purposeful Suffering**: In the Pastoral Epistles, the hardship endured is not random but purposeful. It is "for the gospel" ([[2 Timothy 2:9]]), for the sake of ministry ([[2 Timothy 4:5]]), and in identification with Christ. This suffering is not penal but redemptive, serving God's sovereign purposes in spreading His Word and refining His people.
3. **Call to Active Endurance**: The imperative forms of `{{G2553}}` in 2 Timothy emphasize that believers are not merely passive recipients of suffering but are called to *actively* endure it. This requires spiritual fortitude, reliance on divine strength, and a soldier-like commitment to Christ.
4. **Refining and Strengthening Faith**: As seen in James, hardship can drive believers to prayer and deepen their reliance on God. It serves as a crucible that tests and purifies faith, leading to spiritual maturity and steadfastness.
5. **Identification with Christ and the Apostles**: Paul's own experience of `{{G2553}}` provides a model for Timothy and all believers. To suffer hardship for the gospel is to share in the apostolic burden and, ultimately, in the sufferings of Christ Himself.
### Summary
`{{G2553}}` (kakopathéō) signifies the active endurance of hardship, affliction, or trouble, stemming from the literal meaning "to suffer badly." This word is crucial for understanding the New Testament's perspective on suffering in the Christian life. In 2 Timothy, it is consistently used as an exhortation to Timothy to embrace the difficulties inherent in gospel ministry, likening him to a faithful soldier of Christ and mirroring Paul's own experience of suffering for the Word. In James, it refers more broadly to any believer experiencing trouble, with prayer prescribed as the appropriate response. Theologically, `{{G2553}}` highlights that hardship is an expected and purposeful aspect of discipleship, serving to refine faith, advance the gospel, and identify believers with Christ's own path of suffering. It calls for active perseverance and reliance on God's grace in the face of adversity.
TRV