### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
παροργισμός (parorgismós, `{{G3950}}`) is a noun derived from the verb παροργίζω (parorgizō, `{{G3949}}`), which means "to provoke to anger," "to exasperate," or "to irritate." Consequently, παροργισμός signifies the state or result of being thus provoked. It denotes a feeling of intense irritation, exasperation, or indignation that arises specifically from perceived provocation or wrongdoing. Unlike a general term for anger (ὀργή, orgē, `{{G3709}}`), παροργισμός carries the nuance of anger that has been *stirred up* or *incited*. It can refer to a passionate outburst or a simmering resentment that stems from feeling unjustly treated.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term παροργισμός appears only once in the New Testament, in the Epistle to the Ephesians:
* **[[Ephesians 4:26]]**: "Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your παροργισμός."
* This verse is a profound ethical instruction. The initial imperative, "Be angry" (ὀργίζεσθε, a form of ὀργίζω), acknowledges that anger is a natural human emotion and not inherently sinful. Indeed, righteous anger exists (e.g., Jesus' anger in [[Mark 3:5]]).
* However, the immediate qualification, "and do not sin," sets a crucial boundary. It is not the emotion itself but its uncontrolled expression or duration that leads to sin.
* The specific use of παροργισμός here is highly significant. It refers to the *provoked anger* or *exasperation*. The instruction is a direct command not to allow this particular kind of anger to linger or become entrenched.
* "Do not let the sun go down on your παροργισμός" emphasizes the urgency of resolving conflicts and dealing with provoked anger swiftly. Unresolved παροργισμός can fester, leading to bitterness, resentment, and providing an "opportunity for the devil" ([[Ephesians 4:27]]). The context of the surrounding verses in Ephesians 4 underscores the importance of unity, truthfulness, and healthy communication within the Christian community, all of which are undermined by unresolved provoked anger.
### Related Words & Concepts
* **ὀργή (orgē, `{{G3709}}`):** This is the more general term for anger, wrath, or indignation. παροργισμός is a specific manifestation or kind of ὀργή, defined by its origin in provocation. While ὀργή can describe God's righteous wrath, παροργισμός is typically used for human anger, which, if not managed, can quickly become sinful.
* **θυμός (thymos, `{{G2372}}`):** Denotes a passionate outburst of rage or hot displeasure, often sudden and fleeting. While παροργισμός can involve a passionate element, its core emphasis is on the *provocation* that incites the anger, distinguishing it from the more spontaneous θυμός.
* **πικρία (pikria, `{{G4088}}`):** Meaning "bitterness" or "acrimony." Unresolved παροργισμός is a direct precursor to πικρία, as the initial irritation hardens into a deep-seated, corrosive resentment.
* **ὀργίζω (orgizō, `{{G3709}}` verb) / παροργίζω (parorgizō, `{{G3949}}`):** These are the verb forms. παροργίζω specifically means "to provoke to anger" or "to exasperate," directly linking to the noun παροργισμός as the resultant state.
### Theological Significance
The single occurrence of παροργισμός in [[Ephesians 4:26]] carries profound theological weight for Christian ethics and community life:
* **Human Sinfulness and the Fall:** The need to address παροργισμός highlights the reality of the fallen human condition, where emotions, even natural ones, can be corrupted and lead to sin. Provoked anger often stems from pride, a sense of personal offense, or an inability to extend grace.
* **Christian Conduct and Sanctification:** The command to not let the sun set on one's παροργισμός is a vital directive for believers. It underscores the importance of managing emotions in a way that honors God and fosters healthy relationships within the body of Christ. It is a call to active sanctification, where believers strive to overcome sinful expressions of anger through the power of the Holy Spirit.
* **Spiritual Warfare:** The subsequent verse, [[Ephesians 4:27]], explicitly links unresolved παροργισμός to giving "opportunity to the devil." This reveals a crucial aspect of spiritual warfare: the enemy exploits lingering anger, resentment, and bitterness to sow discord, division, and destruction among God's people.
* **Reconciliation and Forgiveness:** The imperative to swiftly resolve παροργισμός implicitly calls for reconciliation and forgiveness. It reflects the character of God, who is "slow to anger" ([[Psalm 103:8]], `{{H750}}`), and encourages believers to embody this divine attribute in their interactions, prioritizing peace and unity over holding onto grievances.
### Summary
παροργισμός (G3950) denotes a state of provoked anger, exasperation, or indignation, stemming from the verb παροργίζω (`{{G3949}}`) meaning "to provoke to anger." Its singular New Testament appearance in [[Ephesians 4:26]] provides a critical ethical instruction: "Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your παroργισμός." This verse acknowledges the natural human experience of anger, especially when provoked, but sternly warns against allowing such anger to linger or lead to sinful actions. The command emphasizes the urgent need for swift resolution and reconciliation, lest unresolved παροργισμός provide a foothold for the devil and disrupt the peace and unity of the Christian community. It underscores the Christian imperative for emotional self-control, forgiveness, and the pursuit of harmonious relationships that reflect the character of God.
TRV