### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek verb orgízō (`{{G3710}}`) is derived from the noun orgē (`{{G3709}}`), which denotes a settled indignation, wrath, or passionate anger. While orgē refers to the state or emotion of anger, orgízō describes the *act* of becoming angry or, in its less common active sense, provoking anger. The base definition highlights both the active sense ("to provoke or enrage") and the more prevalent passive sense in the New Testament ("to become exasperated" or "be angry/wroth"). Unlike thymos (`{{G2372}}`), which often signifies a sudden, explosive outburst of passion that may quickly subside, orgízō can imply a more deeply seated, enduring displeasure, though it can also describe the immediate onset of anger. Its semantic range encompasses both sinful human anger and, by extension from its root, the concept of righteous indignation.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
Orgízō appears in several significant New Testament passages, revealing diverse applications:
* **[[Matthew 5:22]]**: "But I say to you that everyone who is angry (orgízō) with his brother without cause will be liable to the council." This is a foundational teaching of Jesus, elevating the moral standard from external action to internal disposition. The phrase "without cause" (εἰκῇ) is debated in textual criticism, with some manuscripts omitting it, suggesting that *any* unjustified anger towards a brother is spiritually perilous, equating it in gravity to murder. This highlights the internal sinfulness of unrighteous anger.
* **[[Matthew 18:34]]**: "And in anger (orgízō) his master delivered him to the torturers, until he should pay all his debt." Here, orgízō describes the master's righteous indignation and punitive action against the unforgiving servant in the parable. This illustrates a justified, though severe, form of anger directed at injustice and unmercifulness.
* **[[Luke 15:28]]**: "But he was angry (orgízō) and refused to go in." This refers to the elder brother's resentment and jealousy towards his prodigal brother's welcome. This is a clear example of sinful, self-righteous, and unloving anger that hinders reconciliation and joy.
* **[[Ephesians 4:26]]**: "Be angry (orgízō) and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger." This is a crucial prescriptive command. It acknowledges that anger is a natural human emotion and can even be righteous (as God Himself experiences anger), but it must be strictly controlled and not allowed to fester into sin. The imperative "do not sin" is paramount, indicating that while the *feeling* of anger may arise, its *expression*, *duration*, or *motivation* must not cross into sinful territory. The immediate resolution of anger is emphasized.
* **[[Revelation 12:17]]**: "Then the dragon became angry (orgízō) with the woman and went off to make war on the rest of her offspring." This depicts the malevolent wrath of Satan, a demonic and destructive anger directed against God's people.
### Related Words & Concepts
* **ὀργή (orgē) `{{G3709}}`**: The noun from which orgízō is derived. It signifies a settled, often righteous, wrath or indignation. Orgízō is the verb describing the *act* of becoming angry or provoking anger, while orgē is the *state* or *emotion* itself.
* **θυμός (thymos) `{{G2372}}`**: Often translated as "wrath" or "passion." It typically denotes a more sudden, passionate outburst of anger, a boiling agitation, which can quickly subside. While both orgē and thymos relate to anger, orgē (and thus orgízō) can imply a more enduring or settled indignation, whereas thymos leans towards explosive passion.
* **παροργίζω (parorgízō) `{{G3949}}`**: To provoke to anger, exasperate. This compound verb emphasizes the act of causing someone to be angry, often with a sense of deliberate provocation.
* **πικρία (pikria) `{{G4088}}`**: Bitterness. Frequently listed alongside orgē and thymos in vices (e.g., [[Ephesians 4:31]]), indicating how unaddressed and unrighteous anger can fester into a deep-seated bitterness that poisons relationships.
* **Justice and Righteousness**: The concept of righteous anger (as seen in God's character and permitted for believers under strict conditions) is often contrasted with sinful human anger, which is driven by selfishness, pride, or malice.
### Theological Significance
The study of orgízō carries profound theological implications:
* **The Pervasiveness of Sin:** Jesus' teaching in [[Matthew 5:22]] reveals the deep-seated nature of sin, extending beyond outward actions to internal attitudes. Unjustified anger is not merely a minor flaw but a serious spiritual offense that violates the spirit of the law and the command to love.
* **The Standard of Christian Conduct:** The imperative in [[Ephesians 4:26]] ("Be angry and do not sin") sets a high standard for believers. It acknowledges that anger can be a legitimate, even necessary, response to injustice, evil, or sin, mirroring God's own holy character. However, this anger must be disciplined, controlled by the Spirit, and quickly resolved, preventing it from becoming a "foothold for the devil" (Ephesians 4:27). This points to the necessity of spiritual maturity, self-control, and the sanctification of emotions in the believer's life.
* **Divine Justice and Mercy:** The master's anger in [[Matthew 18:34]] symbolizes God's righteous indignation against unmercifulness and unrepentance. While God is "slow to anger" (e.g., [[Psalm 103:8]]), His anger is always just, proportionate, and directed against sin, ultimately serving His holy purposes. This contrasts sharply with human anger, which is often selfish, disproportionate, and destructive.
* **The Importance of Forgiveness and Reconciliation:** The examples of the unforgiving servant and the elder brother underscore how unrighteous anger hinders forgiveness, reconciliation, and the experience of joy within the community of faith. It serves as a strong reminder for believers to extend mercy as they have received it.
### Summary
Orgízō (`{{G3710}}`) encapsulates the act of becoming angry or provoking anger, stemming from the concept of settled indignation (orgē `{{G3709}}`). Its New Testament usage provides a nuanced understanding of anger: it is condemned when it is unjustified, selfish, or allowed to fester ([[Matthew 5:22]], [[Luke 15:28]]), yet it is acknowledged as a potential, even necessary, human response to sin and injustice, provided it never leads to sin or persists unresolved ([[Ephesians 4:26]]). Furthermore, it can describe divine or divinely sanctioned anger, which is always righteous and just ([[Matthew 18:34]]). The study of orgízō thus calls believers to a profound introspection regarding their emotional lives, urging them to cultivate self-control, swift reconciliation, and a holy, righteous indignation against sin that never compromises love or leads to personal transgression.
TRV