### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek word **talaípōros**, represented by `{{G5005}}`, means **wretched**. It appears **2 times** in **2 unique verses** in the Bible. The word's base definition describes one who is "enduring trial, i.e. miserable". This term conveys a state of deep misery and affliction.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The word `{{G5005}}` is used in two distinct contexts to express profound distress. In Romans, it is a personal cry of anguish: "O **wretched** man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?" [[Romans 7:24]]. In Revelation, it is used to describe the spiritual state of the church in Laodicea. Despite their claims of being rich and needing nothing, they are told, "...thou art **wretched**, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked" [[Revelation 3:17]]. This use highlights a blindness to one's true, miserable spiritual condition.
### Related Words & Concepts
Several words are used alongside `{{G5005}}`, particularly in [[Revelation 3:17]], to build a complete picture of this miserable state:
* `{{G1652}}` **eleeinós** (pitiable:--miserable): This word appears directly after **wretched** in [[Revelation 3:17]], intensifying the description of the church's condition.
* `{{G4434}}` **ptōchós** (a beggar... i.e. pauper... poor): This term denotes absolute poverty and is used to contrast the Laodiceans' perceived spiritual wealth with their actual destitution [[Revelation 3:17]].
* `{{G5185}}` **typhlós** (opaque... blind): Highlighting a spiritual inability to see, this word is part of the list of rebukes in [[Revelation 3:17]].
* `{{G1131}}` **gymnós** (nude... naked): This describes a state of shame and exposure, completing the list of ailments afflicting the spiritually unaware in [[Revelation 3:17]].
### Theological Significance
The theological weight of `{{G5005}}` is seen in its application to two critical spiritual states.
* **Conscious Spiritual Anguish:** In [[Romans 7:24]], the term expresses the painful awareness of one's own sinful nature and the internal conflict that results. It is the cry of a person who recognizes their desperate need for deliverance from "the body of this death."
* **Unrecognized Spiritual Poverty:** In contrast, [[Revelation 3:17]] uses **wretched** to describe a state of dangerous self-deception. The Laodicean church was blind to its true condition, believing it was rich when it was spiritually destitute. This highlights the peril of mistaking material prosperity for spiritual health.
### Summary
In summary, `{{G5005}}` is a potent but rare biblical term for being **wretched**. Though it appears only twice, it powerfully illustrates two different facets of human misery. It can represent the desperate cry of a person fully aware of their fallen state [[Romans 7:24]], or it can serve as a divine rebuke to those who are spiritually impoverished but blind to their own condition [[Revelation 3:17]]. The word's association with terms like miserable, poor, blind, and naked underscores the comprehensive nature of the affliction it describes.
TRV