### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek word κακουχέω (kakouchéō, `{{G2558}}`) is a compound term formed from κακός (kakos, `{{G2556}}`), meaning "bad, evil, harmful," and ἔχω (echō, `{{G2192}}`), meaning "to have, hold, or experience." Its core semantic range encompasses the concepts of "to maltreat," "to ill-treat," "to torment," or "to suffer adversity." It describes a state of being subjected to harsh, injurious, or oppressive treatment, often implying prolonged suffering or affliction. The word can denote both the act of inflicting such harm and the passive experience of enduring it, emphasizing the severe and often unjust nature of the hardship.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term κακουχέω appears twice in the New Testament, each instance providing significant contextual depth to its meaning.
1. **[[Acts 7:6]]**: In Stephen's historical recounting before the Sanhedrin, he states, "And God spoke in this way, that his descendants would be sojourners in a foreign land, and that they would enslave them and maltreat them for four hundred years." Here, κακουχέω describes the severe and prolonged oppression endured by the Israelites under Egyptian bondage. The word emphasizes the deliberate and cruel nature of the treatment inflicted upon God's chosen people, encompassing physical hardship, forced labor, and a general state of affliction. It highlights the historical reality of unjust suffering faced by God's people and sets the stage for divine intervention and deliverance.
2. **[[Hebrews 11:37]]**: As part of the "Hall of Faith" chapter, celebrating the endurance of Old Testament saints, the author writes, "They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were tempted, they were slain with the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, afflicted, maltreated." In this context, κακουχέω is used in the passive voice to describe the extreme and varied forms of suffering that faithful individuals endured for their commitment to God. It is part of a litany of persecutions, including physical torture, deprivation, and social ostracism. The word here underscores the profound and comprehensive nature of their adversity, demonstrating their unwavering faith despite immense hardship and ill-treatment.
In both occurrences, κακουχέω conveys a powerful sense of severe, often unjust, and deeply impactful suffering, whether inflicted by oppressors or endured by the faithful.
### Related Words & Concepts
Several Greek terms share semantic overlap with κακουχέω in describing various forms of suffering and hardship:
* **θλῖψις (thlipsis, `{{G2347}}`):** Meaning "tribulation," "affliction," or "distress," often referring to external pressures or crushing circumstances. While κακουχέω focuses on being ill-treated, θλῖψις is a broader term for the experience of hardship.
* **πάσχω (paschō, `{{G3958}}`):** A general verb meaning "to suffer," "to undergo," or "to experience." κακουχέω specifies a particular kind of suffering: that which results from maltreatment.
* **διωγμός (diōgmos, `{{G1375}}`):** "Persecution," which describes the active pursuit and harassment of individuals, often leading to the maltreatment described by κακουχέω.
* **ταλαιπωρία (talaipōria, `{{G5004}}`):** "Misery" or "hardship," denoting a state of severe distress or wretchedness, akin to the outcome of being maltreated.
* **κακός (kakos, `{{G2556}}`):** The root word itself, signifying "bad," "evil," or "harmful," highlighting the inherently negative nature of the experience of κακουχέω.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of κακουχέω lies in its portrayal of suffering as a profound and often unavoidable aspect of the human experience, particularly for those aligned with God's purposes.
In the narrative of Israel's bondage in Egypt ([[Acts 7:6]]), the maltreatment highlights God's awareness of His people's suffering and His sovereign power to deliver them from oppression. It establishes a theological precedent for divine intervention on behalf of the afflicted and underscores God's justice in responding to injustice.
In the context of the faithful saints in [[Hebrews 11:37]], κακουχέω elevates suffering from a mere misfortune to a testament of unwavering faith. It demonstrates that faithfulness to God can often entail severe hardship and persecution. This passage serves as an encouragement to believers across all ages, reminding them that their trials are not unique but are part of a long tradition of those who have suffered for righteousness' sake. It suggests that enduring maltreatment with faith is a pathway to demonstrating true spiritual resilience and earns a divine commendation.
Ultimately, κακουχέω points to the biblical truth that suffering is not always a sign of divine displeasure but can be a crucible for spiritual growth, a means by which faith is tested and refined, and a pathway to a deeper identification with Christ, who Himself endured immense maltreatment for humanity's redemption.
### Summary
The Greek word κακουχέω (kakouchéō, `{{G2558}}`) precisely describes the experience of being severely maltreated, tormented, or suffering adversity. Rooted in the concepts of "badness" and "having/experiencing," it denotes a state of profound and often unjust hardship. Its two New Testament occurrences are highly illustrative: [[Acts 7:6]] depicts the brutal maltreatment of the Israelites in Egypt, underscoring God's response to oppression. [[Hebrews 11:37]] portrays the extreme maltreatment endured by faithful Old Testament saints, highlighting the cost and endurance of faith. Theologically, κακουχέω emphasizes the reality of suffering in the lives of God's people, serving as a reminder of divine compassion, the refining power of adversity, and the call to steadfast perseverance in the face of persecution. It connects the historical and ongoing experience of affliction with the broader narrative of redemption and the suffering of Christ.
TRV