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Active and passive actions
1. Active and passive actions
Aristotle, in his work Sophistical Refutations, uses and example that contrasts active and passive situations. Interestingly, the passive situation corresponds to a word in the
GNT (Greek New Testament) often translated as "
suffer" (
not the word "
suffer" for "
allow") with the implication of pain and suffering. This appears to come from the Latin Vulgate word used to translate the Greek word.
The Greek word appears to have no implication of good or bad or otherwise unless implied by the context of the situation.
2. Sophistic refutations
Aristotle wrote a book called
On Sophistic Refutations in which he detailed the "
false reasoning" used by Sophists (from the Greek word for "
wisdom") who would use invalid logic to convince others of ideas to make money for themselves. In English, "
sophistic" logic or "
false reasoning" is "
sophistry".
One of the many types of invalid logic detailed by Aristotle was "
eristic" reasoning. Paul uses that word often but it is often translated, without the "
bad logic" connection, as "
strife"
3. Active and passive
Aristotle writes: (underlining added)
Greek:
"Ἆρ´ ἔστι τι τῶν πάσχειν ποιεῖν τι;" "οὔ." ...
English:
"Is any form of passivity a form of activity." "No". Loeb #400, p. 109.
The Sophistic argument Aristotle is showing (omitted) is interesting but not important here. Only the meanings of the words are important here.
"πάσχω" ≈ "undergo, experience" as a form of passivity.
"ποιέω" ≈ "make, create, do" as a form of activity.
4. Making poetry and peace
The ancient Greek word
"ποιέω" ≈ "make, do, cause" and is the source of the English word
"poem" as in something that is made using words.
Saying:
I am a poet and don't know it.
Making peace as an active (physical) endeavor of forcing peace (e.g., Pax Romana or Roman peace) or as a passive (mental) endeavor by "
appeasing" others (making concessions, etc.) may not be a good idea.
5. Passive experience
The ancient Greek word
"πάσχω" ≈ "undergo, experience" as opposed to acting. A negative sense can be inferred from context - such as from another person or the law.
In the
GNT, as translated by the
KJV (King James Version) and influenced by the Latin Vulgate, the usual meaning is assumed to be that of a negative (painful) experience.
Is this always the case?
6. Passover
7. Strongs - suffer
- *G3958 *41 πάσχω (pas'-kho) : patho path'-o, and pentho pen'-tho, used only in certain tenses for it apparently a primary verb; to experience a sensation or impression (usually painful):--feel, passion, suffer, vex.
- παθειν *12
- Matthew 16:21 ... unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders ...
- Mark 8:31 ... the Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected ...
- Luke 9:22 Saying, The Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected ...
- Luke 17:25 But first must he suffer many things, and be rejected ...
- Luke 22:15 ... you before I suffer:
- Luke 24:26 Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter ...
- Luke 24:46 ... thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from ...
- Acts 1:3 ... alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, ...
- Acts 3:18 ... his prophets, that Christ should suffer, he hath so fulfilled.
- Acts 9:16 ... how great things he must suffer for my name's sake.
- Acts 17:3 ... that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from ...
- Hebrews 9:26 For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: ...
- πασχειν *4
- Matthew 17:12 ... also the Son of man suffer of them.
- Philippians 1:29 ... him, but also to suffer for his sake;
- 1 Peter 3:17 ... the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing.
- Revelation 2:10 Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall ...
- επαθεν *4
- Acts 28:5 ... the beast into the fire, and felt no harm.
- Hebrews 5:8 ... obedience by the things which he suffered;
- Hebrews 13:12 ... with his own blood, suffered without the gate.
- 1 Peter 2:21 ... because Christ also suffered for us, leaving ...
- πασχει *2
- Matthew 17:15 ... he is lunatick, and sore vexed: for ofttimes he falleth ...
- 1 Corinthians 12:26 And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; ...
- επαθετε *2
- Galatians 3:4 Have ye suffered so many things in vain? if it be yet in vain.
- 1 Thessalonians 2:14 ... for ye also have suffered like things of your own ...
- πασχων *2
- 1 Peter 2:19 ... toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully.
- 1 Peter 2:23 ... reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but ...
- πασχοντες *2
- 1 Peter 2:20 ... if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable ...
- 1 Peter 4:19 Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping ...
- επαθον
- Matthew 27:19 ... that just man: for I have suffered many things this day in ...
- παθουσα
- Mark 5:26 And had suffered many things of many physicians, ...
- παθη
- Mark 9:12 ... the Son of man, that he must suffer many things, and be set at nought.
- πεπονθασιν
- Luke 13:2 ... all the Galilæans, because they suffered such things?
- πασχομεν
- 2 Corinthians 1:6 ... which we also suffer: or whether we be comforted, it is for ...
- πασχετε
- 2 Thessalonians 1:5 ... for which ye also suffer:
- πασχω
- 2 Timothy 1:12 For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless ...
- πεπονθεν
- Hebrews 2:18 For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able ...
- πασχοιτε
- 1 Peter 3:14 But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy ...
- παθοντος
- 1 Peter 4:1 Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh ...
- παθων
- 1 Peter 4:1 Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh ...
- πασχετω
- 1 Peter 4:15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer, ...
- παθοντας
- 1 Peter 5:10 ... by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you ...
8. Usage - suffer
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Words: επαθεν=4 επαθετε=2 επαθον παθειν=12 παθη παθοντας παθοντος παθουσα παθων πασχει=2 πασχειν=4 πασχετε πασχετω πασχοιτε πασχομεν πασχοντες=2 πασχω πασχων=2 πεπονθασιν πεπονθεν
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9. Matthew 19:14 Suffrage
Matthew 19:14 But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven. [kjv]
ο δε ιησους ειπεν αφετε τα παιδια και μη κωλυετε αυτα ελθειν προς με των γαρ τοιουτων εστιν η βασιλεια των ουρανων [gnt]
The English word
"suffer" means to "
allow". The woman's suffrage movement was to "
allow" women to vote, etc. This is one of the themes in the Disney movie Mary Poppins, released in August 1964 and set in 1910 England.
The Greek for "
suffer" has to do with "
letting go" as in "
forgiving".
10. Allowing suffering
The English word
"suffer", as used in the
KJV, is often used to translate the Greek words for "
allow" as in "
forgive" or "
forget" sin. These words are not of interest here.
 |
Details are left as a future topic.
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11. Verses
Let us look at some verses in the
GNT that use these words involving passivity and activity.
The
LXX (Septuagint) does not appear to use this word.
12. Jesus
Matthew 17:12 But I say unto you, That Elias is come already, and they knew him not, but have done unto him whatsoever they listed. Likewise shall also the Son of man suffer of them. [kjv]
λεγω δε υμιν οτι ηλιας ηδη ηλθεν και ουκ επεγνωσαν αυτον αλλα εποιησαν εν αυτω οσα ηθελησαν ουτως και ο υιος του ανθρωπου μελλει πασχειν υπ αυτων [gnt]
… fecerunt … passurus … [v]
This verse uses both of the words used by Aristotle for activity and passivity. For the passive word, other people are explicitly mentioned so the inference leans towards a negative experience rather than a positive or neutral experience.
The Latin word
"facio" ≈ "do" as in the English word
"fashion".
The Latin word
"patior" ≈ "suffer, endure, allow, permit" and has as a primary meaning of a negative experience.
13. Matthew 17:12
KJV: But I say unto you, That Elias is come already, and they knew him not, but have done unto him whatsoever they listed. Likewise shall also the Son of man suffer of them.
Greek: λεγω δε υμιν οτι ηλιας ηδη ηλθεν και ουκ επεγνωσαν αυτον αλλ αλλα εποιησαν εν αυτω οσα ηθελησαν ουτως και ο υιος του ανθρωπου μελλει πασχειν υπ αυτων
Latin: dico autem vobis quia Helias iam venit et non cognoverunt eum sed fecerunt in eo quaecumque voluerunt sic et Filius hominis passurus est ab eis
14. Falling often
Matthew 17:15 Lord, have mercy on my son: for he is lunatick, and sore vexed: for ofttimes he falleth into the fire, and oft into the water. [kjv]
και λεγων κυριε ελεησον μου τον υιον οτι σεληνιαζεται και κακως εχει πολλακις γαρ πιπτει εις το πυρ και πολλακις εις το υδωρ [gnt]
… patitur … [v]
Does this text refer to a passive neutral experience, a passive negative experience, or something else?
The "
vex" appears to be a passive reaction to something external that then has a physical result - falling into the water.
15. Matthew 17:15
KJV: Lord, have mercy on my son: for he is lunatick, and sore vexed: for ofttimes he falleth into the fire, and oft into the water.
Greek: και λεγων κυριε ελεησον μου τον υιον οτι σεληνιαζεται και κακως @CZ(t=[ πασχει ])@CZ(t=[ εχει ]) πολλακις γαρ πιπτει εις το πυρ και πολλακις εις το υδωρ
Latin: Domine miserere filii mei quia lunaticus est et male patitur nam saepe cadit in ignem et crebro in aquam
16. Members
1 Corinthians 12:26 And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it. [kjv]
και ειτε πασχει εν μελος συμπασχει παντα τα μελη ειτε δοξαζεται μελος συγχαιρει παντα τα μελη [gnt]
… patitur … conpatiuntur … [v]
The second part of the verse has the members "
honored". The first part appears to be a contrast (or else something similar that is repeated).
To not "
honor" a member or members has two possibilities.
The member has a neutral passive experience.
The member "suffers" a negative experience. This appears to be the Latin Vulgate meaning.
Discuss: Which might be the better inference?
One meaning: Whatever the passive experience of one member, the other members experience the same passive experience. This is for everything good, everything bad and everything neutral.
17. 1 Corinthians 12:26
KJV: And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.
Greek: και ειτε πασχει εν μελος συμπασχει παντα τα μελη ειτε δοξαζεται εν μελος συγχαιρει παντα τα μελη
Latin: et si quid patitur unum membrum conpatiuntur omnia membra sive gloriatur unum membrum congaudent omnia membra
18. Suffer for Christ
Philippians 1:29 For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake; [kjv]
οτι υμιν εχαρισθη το υπερ χριστου ου μονον το εις αυτον πιστευειν αλλα και το υπερ αυτου πασχειν [gnt]
… credatis … patiamini [v]
Believing in Christ is a mental activity that should result in "
works". What about the "
suffer" part? Which might apply.
One has a neutral passive experience.
One "suffers" a negative experience. This appears to be the Latin Vulgate meaning.
From John 14 (omitted) the (people in the) world hate those who follow Jesus. Thus, a negative experience results. Is that the meaning of the verse written by Paul? Might Paul be saying that there are consequences for a belief?
19. Philippians 1:29
KJV: For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;
Greek: οτι υμιν εχαρισθη το υπερ χριστου ου μονον το εις αυτον πιστευειν αλλα και το υπερ αυτου πασχειν
Latin: quia vobis donatum est pro Christo non solum ut in eum credatis sed ut etiam pro illo patiamini
20. Suffer for the Kingdom of God
2 Thessalonians 1:5 Which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer: [kjv]
ενδειγμα της δικαιας κρισεως του θεου εις το καταξιωθηναι υμας της βασιλειας του θεου υπερ ης και πασχετε [gnt]
… patimini [v]
21. 2 Thessalonians 1:5
KJV: Which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer:
Greek: ενδειγμα της δικαιας κρισεως του θεου εις το καταξιωθηναι υμας της βασιλειας του θεου υπερ ης και πασχετε
Latin: in exemplum iusti iudicii Dei ut digni habeamini regno Dei pro quo et patimini
22. Suffering and doing in Peter
1 Peter 3:17 For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing. [kjv]
κρειττον γαρ αγαθοποιουντας ει θελοι το θελημα του θεου πασχειν η κακοποιουντας [gnt]
… pati … malefacientes [v]
The "
doing" part of "
evil doing", which means "
bad doing", is the word for "
doing" used by Aristotle for "
activity". The "
suffer" is the word used by Aristotle for "
passivity".
In the
KJV, the "
for well doing" is inferred. Thus, one should not do evil or bad but that may have passive results (with a certain probability).
23. 1 Peter 3:17
KJV: For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing.
Greek: κρειττον γαρ αγαθοποιουντας ει θελει θελοι το θελημα του θεου πασχειν η κακοποιουντας
Latin: melius est enim benefacientes si velit voluntas Dei pati quam malefacientes
24. Suffering and doing in Peter
1 Peter 4:15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men's matters. [kjv]
μη γαρ τις υμων πασχετω ως φονευς η κλεπτης η κακοποιος η ως αλλοτριεπισκοπος [gnt]
… patiatur … maledicus … [v]
Peter again uses the words for "
passivity" and "
activity" in the same verse.
How might the "
suffer" distribute grammatically given the contrast of passivity and activity?
Peter appears to be talking somewhat tongue-in-cheek or sarcastically. That is, if you "
do" the bad things, you will passively experience the results of those actions.
25. 1 Peter 4:15
KJV: But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men's matters.
Greek: μη γαρ τις υμων πασχετω ως φονευς η κλεπτης η κακοποιος η ως αλλοτριοεπισκοπος αλλοτριεπισκοπος
Latin: nemo enim vestrum patiatur quasi homicida aut fur aut maledicus aut alienorum appetitor
26. Suffering in Revelation
In Revelation, the Greek word for "
suffer" is used in the letter to the church at Smyrna.
Revelation 2:10 Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life. [kjv]
μη μηδεν φοβου α μελλεις πασχειν ιδου μελλει ο διαβολος εξ υμων εις φυλακην ινα πειρασθητε και εχητε θλιψιν ημερων δεκα γινου πιστος αχρι θανατου και δωσω σοι τον στεφανον της ζωης [gnt]
… passurus … [v]
With other people involved, and given the context, this passive experience would appear to be a painful or bad experience.
27. Revelation 2:10
KJV: Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.
Greek: μη μηδεν φοβου α μελλεις πασχειν ιδου μελλει βαλειν εξ υμων βαλλειν ο διαβολος εξ υμων εις φυλακην ινα πειρασθητε και εξετε εχητε θλιψιν ημερων δεκα γινου πιστος αχρι θανατου και δωσω σοι τον στεφανον της ζωης
Latin: nihil horum timeas quae passurus es ecce missurus est diabolus ex vobis in carcerem ut temptemini et habebitis tribulationem diebus decem esto fidelis usque ad mortem et dabo tibi coronam vitae
28. Review
The Greek word for "suffer" appears to have a passive connotation, in contrast to the Greek word for active "doing".
In many verses where the Greek word for "suffer" is used in the GNT, one can infer a bad or painful passive experience.
In some verses, however, is not as easy to infer a bad or painful passive experience.
29. End of page
