### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek term πάθος (G3806), transliterated as *páthos*, derives from the verb πάσχω (paschō, `{{G3958}}`), which means "to suffer" or "to experience." At its most fundamental level, *páthos* refers to "that which befalls one," "an experience," or "suffering." This root meaning is preserved in English words like "pathology" (the study of suffering/disease).
However, in the New Testament, *páthos* predominantly acquires a specific, negative semantic range. It shifts from a neutral "experience" to denote "passion," "strong emotion," or "inordinate desire," particularly with a connotation of uncontrolled, often sinful, urges. It describes an internal state of being acted upon by powerful, compelling desires, especially those related to concupiscence or lust. Thus, while its etymological root points to passive endurance, its New Testament usage highlights an active, enslaving power of sinful desires within an individual.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term πάθος (G3806) appears three times in the New Testament, consistently carrying a negative connotation related to sinful desires:
1. **[[Romans 1:26]]**: "For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions (*πάθη*)." Here, *páthos* is used in the plural (*páthē*) and directly refers to homosexual desires, which are presented as a consequence of humanity's rejection of God and worship of creation instead of the Creator. The context underscores the progression from idolatry to moral degradation, where these "passions" are not merely strong emotions but "dishonorable" and "unnatural" (cf. [[Romans 1:27]]) expressions of a fallen state. God's "giving them up" signifies a judicial abandonment to the consequences of their choices, allowing their corrupted desires to run unchecked.
2. **[[Colossians 3:5]]**: "Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion (*πάθος*), evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry." In this passage, *páthos* is listed among a cluster of vices that characterize the "old self" (cf. [[Colossians 3:9]]) that believers are called to mortify. It is an internal, powerful urge that needs to be actively suppressed or "put to death" as part of the sanctification process. The close proximity to "sexual immorality" (πορνεία, `{{G4202}}`) and "impurity" (ἀκαθαρσία, `{{G167}}`) reinforces its association with illicit sexual desires, while its connection to "evil desire" (κακὴν ἐπιθυμίαν, `{{G2556}}` `{{G1939}}`) and "covetousness" (πλεονεξίαν, `{{G4124}}`) broadens its scope to include any inordinate, grasping desire that supplants God.
3. **[[1 Thessalonians 4:5]]**: "not in the passion (*πάθος*) of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God." Here, *páthos* is directly linked with "lust" (ἐπιθυμία, `{{G1939}}`) and contrasted with living "in holiness and honor" (ἐν ἁγιασμῷ καὶ τιμῇ, `{{G38}}` `{{G5092}}`). The passage exhorts believers to sexual purity, distinguishing their conduct from the uncontrolled, ungodly sexual desires characteristic of those who "do not know God." This usage emphasizes *páthos* as an unbridled, unspiritual desire that lacks self-control and disrespects others, a hallmark of pagan behavior.
Across these contexts, *páthos* consistently refers to intense, often sexual, desires that are sinful, dishonorable, and characteristic of a life alienated from God.
### Related Words & Concepts
The understanding of πάθος is enriched by examining its relationship to other biblical terms:
* **πάσχω (paschō, `{{G3958}}`)**: The root verb, meaning "to suffer" or "to experience." While πάθος in the NT focuses on sinful desires, the underlying concept of being "acted upon" or "enduring" is still present, as sinful passions are often depicted as enslaving forces.
* **ἐπιθυμία (epithymia, `{{G1939}}`)**: "Desire," "lust." This term frequently appears alongside πάθος (e.g., [[Colossians 3:5]], [[1 Thessalonians 4:5]]). While ἐπιθυμία can denote neutral or even positive desire, πάθος almost exclusively signifies excessive, inordinate, or sinful desire. πάθος might describe the *state* of being overcome by such desires, whereas ἐπιθυμία is the *desire itself*.
* **ἀκαθαρσία (akatharsia, `{{G167}}`)**: "Impurity," "uncleanness." πάθος often leads to acts of impurity, making these terms closely associated in discussions of moral corruption (cf. [[Colossians 3:5]]).
* **σάρξ (sarx, `{{G4561}}`)**: "Flesh." The concept of πάθος is deeply rooted in the biblical understanding of the "flesh" as the principle of sin within humanity. These inordinate passions are manifestations of the fallen human nature that opposes the Spirit of God.
* **πορνεία (porneia, `{{G4202}}`)**: "Sexual immorality," "fornication." This is often the outward action that stems from *páthos* (cf. [[Colossians 3:5]]).
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of πάθος is profound, illuminating aspects of human depravity, the consequences of sin, and the call to sanctification:
* **Manifestation of Human Depravity:** πάθος highlights the fallen state of humanity, where desires, originally created by God for good, become corrupted and lead to sin. It is a powerful illustration of how the "flesh" (`{{G4561}}`) dominates the spirit in unregenerate humanity.
* **Consequence of Rejecting God:** In [[Romans 1]], πάθος is presented as a direct, divinely-ordained consequence of humanity's rejection of the Creator. It demonstrates how spiritual rebellion inevitably manifests in moral degradation, leading to increasingly unnatural and dishonorable desires.
* **The Struggle for Sanctification:** For believers, πάθος represents a crucial aspect of the "old self" that must be "put to death" (cf. [[Colossians 3:5]]). It signifies the ongoing, Spirit-empowered struggle against indwelling sin and the necessity of actively shedding sinful desires as part of the process of being conformed to Christ's image. This mortification of πάθος is integral to living a life "in holiness and honor" (cf. [[1 Thessalonians 4:5]]).
* **Distinction from Godly Emotion and Suffering:** It is vital to distinguish πάθος (inordinate, sinful passion) from legitimate human emotions or even the concept of suffering (also derived from πάσχω) endured for righteous purposes, as exemplified by Christ's own suffering. In the New Testament, πάθος almost exclusively carries a negative, condemnatory sense, referring to desires that are contrary to God's will and lead to moral corruption.
### Summary
πάθος (G3806) is a Greek term that, while rooted in the concept of "suffering" or "experience," is consistently used in the New Testament to denote "inordinate passion" or "lust." It describes powerful, often uncontrollable, and inherently sinful desires, particularly those related to sexual immorality. Biblical contexts in [[Romans 1:26]], [[Colossians 3:5]], and [[1 Thessalonians 4:5]] uniformly link πάθος to dishonorable conduct, impurity, and the characteristics of those alienated from God. Theologically, it serves as a stark indicator of human depravity, a consequence of rejecting divine truth, and a key element of the "old self" that believers are commanded to mortify through the process of sanctification. It underscores the spiritual battle against the enslaving power of sinful desires and the imperative for believers to pursue purity and holiness.
TRV