from the same as πάθημα; liable (i.e. doomed) to experience pain:--suffer.
Transliteration:pathētós
Pronunciation:path-ay-tos'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek adjective παθητός (pathētós, `{{G3805}}`) is derived from the root πάθος (pathos), which signifies suffering, emotion, or experience. Specifically, it is closely related to πάθημα (pathēma, `{{G3804}}`), meaning "suffering" or "affliction." The suffix -tós typically denotes capability or susceptibility. Therefore, παθητός fundamentally means "subject to suffering," "liable to experience pain," or "capable of suffering." However, its single New Testament occurrence reveals a deeper semantic nuance: it conveys the sense of being *destined* or *doomed* to suffer, implying a divine necessity rather than mere possibility. It points to an inherent susceptibility to pain and death, often with a teleological implication.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
Remarkably, παθητός (pathētós, `{{G3805}}`) appears only once in the entire New Testament, yet its singular use carries immense theological weight. This occurrence is found in [[Acts 26:23]], within Paul's defense before King Agrippa: "that the Christ was to suffer (εἰ παθητὸς ὁ Χριστὸς), and that by being the first to rise from the dead, he would proclaim light both to our people and to the Gentiles."
In this pivotal verse, Paul asserts a foundational truth of Christian theology: the Messiah's preordained suffering. The construction εἰ παθητὸς ὁ Χριστὸς functions as a predicate adjective emphasizing the *necessity* of Christ's suffering. It is not merely that Christ *could* suffer, but that He *had* to suffer, as part of God's redemptive plan. This statement directly confronts the prevailing Jewish expectation of a conquering, non-suffering Messiah, aligning instead with the prophetic witness concerning the Suffering Servant (e.g., Isaiah 53). Paul links Christ's παθητός nature inextricably with His resurrection (ἀνάστασις, `{{G386}}`), presenting both as essential components of the Gospel message that brings light to all peoples.
### Related Words & Concepts
The semantic field of παθητός (pathētós, `{{G3805}}`) is rich with interconnected terms central to New Testament theology:
* πάθημα (pathēma, `{{G3804}}`): The noun from which παθητός is directly derived, meaning "suffering," "affliction," or "passion." It refers to the actual experience of suffering.
* πάσχω (paschō, `{{G3958}}`): The verb "to suffer," "to experience," or "to undergo." This verb is frequently used in relation to Christ's suffering.
* θάνατος (thanatos, `{{G2288}}`): Death. Suffering is often a precursor to death, and Christ's suffering culminated in His death on the cross.
* ἀνάστασις (anastasis, `{{G386}}`): Resurrection. As seen in [[Acts 26:23]], Christ's suffering is intrinsically linked to His resurrection, forming the two pillars of the apostolic kerygma.
* χριστός (christos, `{{G5547}}`): Christ/Messiah. The identity of the Messiah as one who *must* suffer was a revolutionary concept, highlighting the unique nature of God's salvation plan.
* Prophecy: The concept of the Suffering Servant in the Old Testament (e.g., Isaiah 53) provides the prophetic backdrop for understanding Christ as παθητός.
### Theological Significance
The singular appearance of παθητός (pathētós, `{{G3805}}`) in [[Acts 26:23]] is of profound Christological and soteriological significance. It encapsulates the divine necessity of Christ's suffering as central to His messianic identity and redemptive work. For Paul, the Messiah was not merely a powerful figure destined for glory, but one who was divinely appointed to undergo profound suffering and death. This truth was a "stumbling block" for many Jews who expected a conquering king, yet it was precisely this παθητός nature that fulfilled the prophecies and opened the way for salvation.
The term underscores that Christ's suffering was not an accidental event or a tragic misfortune, but a predetermined and essential aspect of God's plan for humanity's reconciliation. It highlights the paradox of a divine Messiah who, in His humanity, was fully susceptible to pain and death, thereby demonstrating ultimate solidarity with suffering humanity. His παθητός state was not a weakness but the very means by which He achieved victory over sin and death, culminating in His resurrection and the universal proclamation of light.
### Summary
παθητός (pathētós, `{{G3805}}`) is a Greek adjective meaning "subject to suffering" or, more profoundly in its biblical context, "destined to suffer." Though appearing only once in the New Testament, in [[Acts 26:23]], its use is pivotal. Paul employs it to declare that the Christ *had* to be παθητός, emphasizing the divine necessity of the Messiah's suffering as foretold by the prophets. This term is intrinsically linked to πάθημα (suffering, `{{G3804}}`) and stands in direct relation to Christ's death and glorious ἀνάστασις (resurrection, `{{G386}}`). The theological significance of παθητός lies in its affirmation that the Messiah's redemptive work was inextricably tied to His willingness and divine ordination to undergo profound suffering, a foundational truth of the Christian faith that paved the way for universal salvation.
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