### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek word κλύδων (klýdōn, `{{G2830}}`) denotes a surge or billow of the sea, emphasizing the tumultuous, violent, and often unpredictable motion of water. Its etymological root suggests an action of "billowing or dashing over," conveying a sense of forceful agitation. The term captures not merely a gentle ripple but a powerful, breaking wave, indicative of a storm or significant disturbance. This base meaning extends from the literal phenomenon of the sea to a figurative representation of inner turmoil, instability, and spiritual wavering. The semantic range thus encompasses both the physical chaos of nature and the psychological or spiritual disquiet within the human soul.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term κλύδων appears in the New Testament in two distinct, yet profoundly illustrative, contexts:
1. **Luke 8:24**: "They came to Him and woke Him up, saying, 'Master, Master, we are perishing!' And He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waves (τοῦ κλύδωνος), and they subsided, and it became calm."
* Here, κλύδων is used in its literal sense to describe the violent, life-threatening waves on the Sea of Galilee during a sudden storm. This passage highlights the raw power of nature, which threatened to overwhelm the disciples and their boat. More significantly, it underscores the supreme authority of Jesus Christ, who, with a mere word, commanded the κλύδωνος to cease, demonstrating His divine sovereignty over creation and its chaotic elements. The disciples' fear in the face of this natural force contrasts sharply with Christ's serene power.
2. **James 1:6**: "But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea (κλύδωνι θαλάσσης), driven and tossed by the wind."
* In this passage, κλύδων is employed metaphorically to describe the spiritual state of a person who wavers in faith. The imagery of a "wave of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind" powerfully conveys instability, lack of conviction, and a mind that is continually shifting without a firm anchor. Such a person is not rooted in steadfast trust in God but is susceptible to every changing circumstance or thought, unable to receive effectively from the Lord. The comparison is potent, drawing a parallel between the physical unpredictability of a storm-tossed wave and the spiritual unreliability of a doubting heart.
### Related Words & Concepts
The study of κλύδων is enriched by examining its relationship to other biblical terms and theological concepts:
* **Literal Context:**
* θάλασσα (thalassa, `{{G2281}}`): The general term for "sea," the environment in which κλύδων occurs.
* ἄνεμος (anemos, `{{G417}}`): "Wind," often the driving force behind κλύδων.
* λαῖλαψ (lailaps, `{{G2978}}`): A "hurricane" or "squall," used in Luke 8:23 to describe the severe windstorm that generated the κλύδωνος.
* κῦμα (kyma, `{{G2949}}`): A more general term for "wave," though κλύδων implies greater force and disturbance.
* **Figurative Context:**
* διακρίνομαι (diakrinomai, `{{G1252}}`): "To doubt" or "waver," the action attributed to the one compared to a κλύδων in James 1:6.
* δίψυχος (dipsychos, `{{G1374}}`): "Double-minded," a direct consequence of the instability depicted by κλύδων in James 1:8.
* ἀστήρικτος (astēriktos, `{{G794}}`): "Unstable" or "unsteady," used in James 1:8 to describe the double-minded man, further emphasizing the lack of steadfastness.
* The broader concept of *steadfastness* (e.g., ὑπομονή, hypomonē, `{{G5281}}`, endurance) stands in stark contrast to the κλύδων of doubt.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of κλύδων is twofold, reflecting its literal and figurative uses:
1. **Divine Sovereignty over Chaos:** In Luke's Gospel, κλύδων represents the chaotic and destructive power of the natural world. Christ's calming of the storm demonstrates His absolute authority over creation. This points to God's ultimate control over all forces, whether natural or spiritual, that threaten human existence or peace. It assures believers that even in the face of overwhelming "waves" of life's trials, God maintains sovereign control and can bring order out of chaos. This narrative serves as a powerful testament to the omnipotence of God incarnate.
2. **The Imperative of Steadfast Faith:** James's use of κλύδων provides a profound theological insight into the nature of faith and doubt. A wavering, κλύδων-like heart is depicted as spiritually ineffective and unable to receive wisdom or blessings from God. This highlights the critical importance of unwavering faith as the foundation for a relationship with God and for receiving His provisions. Doubt is not merely intellectual uncertainty but a spiritual state of instability that hinders spiritual growth and prayer. The passage implicitly calls believers to cultivate a faith that is firmly anchored in God's promises, resisting the spiritual "tossing" that undermines spiritual maturity and effectiveness.
### Summary
κλύδων (klýdōn, `{{G2830}}`) describes a violent, surging wave, embodying both literal and figurative meanings in the New Testament. Literally, it portrays the formidable power of a storm at sea, as seen in Luke 8:24, where Christ's command over the κλύδωνος powerfully demonstrates His divine sovereignty and control over creation. Figuratively, in James 1:6, it serves as a potent metaphor for the instability and spiritual ineffectiveness of a doubting heart, tossed to and fro without a firm foundation. The word thus encapsulates a crucial theological tension: the overwhelming power of chaos (whether natural or internal) met by the supreme authority of Christ and the essential call for unwavering faith in the believer's life. It underscores the necessity of steadfast trust in God to navigate the "waves" of life and to receive His wisdom and blessings.
TRV