Afflict (crowd, distress, suffer affliction) (2346) thlibo

Suffer affliction (2346) (thlibo from tribos = wear away, rub, break in pieces; NIDNTT says thlibo is from the root thlao = squash, crush) (See study of related word thlipsis) literally means to press, squash, hem in and then to be narrow. It pictures putting pressure upon or a pressing in upon or a pressing hard upon a person (as upon Jesus getting in the boat to keep from being crowded in Mark 3:9). Richison explains that... The words “suffer tribulation” refers to suffering due to the pressure of circumstances or the antagonism of others (2 Thessalonians 1:6, 7). This pressure from without hems the believer in a situation like a mountain gorge (Ed note: see use in Mark 3:9 below for an illustration for this sense of thlibo). God puts conditions in our narrow way and presses us into distressing problems. (Ref) The Williams’ translation footnote says this is the picture of a loaded wagon crushed under its heavy load Marvin Vincent has the following note explaining that the root thlibo means... to press or squeeze. Tribulation is perhaps as accurate a rendering as is possible, being derived from tribulum, the threshing-roller of the Romans. In both the idea of pressure is dominant, though thlipsis does not convey the idea of separation (as of corn from husk) which is implied in tribulatio." (Vincent, M. R. Word studies in the New Testament Vol. 1, Page 3-80) The idea is to press together, compress, squash, hem in. Figuratively thlibo refers to sufferings that arise from the pressure of circumstances or from the antagonism of persons and so means to afflict, to harass, to discomfit, to oppress, to vex. Philosophically group (thlibo, thlipsis) used for life’s afflictions. And so thlibo means to trouble, to afflict, to distress, to oppress, to cause trouble. In the passive voice it means to be the recipient of such trouble, etc, and thus to experience hardship or be afflicted (see 2Cor 1:6). Here in 1Thessalonians 3:4 thlibo does not refer merely to a prediction, but to God's appointed will. The basic idea of thlibo is ‘severe constriction’, ‘narrowing’ or ‘pressing together’ and thlibo is the verb used to describe the pressing of grapes to extract juice and make wine! What do pressing circumstances "extract" out of you...what kind of wine...sweet or bitter? Similar notions underlie the Latin word tribulum (a threshing sledge), which is the source of the English word tribulation. Most biblical references to tribulation are to sufferings endured by the people of God. The central and dominating factor in the biblical understanding of such suffering however is the mystery of the the suffering Servant, the Messiah (see notes Colossians 1:24; Revelation 1:9; cf. Isa 63:9). All the tribulations of the Messianic people are to be viewed in the light of the Savior's Suffering. Here are some phrases in which thlibo is found in ancient secular Greek writings: "tight quarters", "the city is jammed full with a multitude", "a tight place and full of bad snakes", "distressed by someone's scheming", "distressed soul". The figurative used in classic Greek use is common, both in the sense of oppress (external) and of grieve, vex (internal). Epictetus speaks of the pressures of life (ta thlibonta) which the true Stoic must and can overcome (Dissertationes, 4, 1, 45; cf. 1, 25, 17 and 28; 2, 27, 2 f.; 3, 13, 8). Thlibo is found 76 times in the Septuagint (LXX) (Ex. 3:9; 22:21; 23:9; 107.19" class="scriptRef">19" class="scriptRef">19.33" class="scriptRef">Lev. 19:33; 5.14" class="scriptRef">25:14, 17" class="scriptRef">17; 26:26; Deut. 23:16; 28.52-Deut.28.53" class="scriptRef">28:52-53, 55, 57; Jos. 19:47; Jdg. 4:3; 6:9; 8:34; 10:8-9, 12" class="scriptRef">12; 1 Sam. 10:18; 28:15; 30:6; 13.2" class="scriptRef">2 Sam. 13:2; 22:7; 1 Ki. 8:37; 2 Ki. 13:4; 2 Chr. 6:28; 28:22; 33:12; Ezra 4:1; Neh. 4:11; 9:27; 20.22" class="scriptRef">Job 20:22; 36:15; Ps. 3:1; 13:4; 18:6; 23:5; 27:2, 12; 31:9; 42.10" class="scriptRef">42:10; 44.7" class="scriptRef">44:7; 56:1; 60:12; 69:17, 19; 78:42; 81:14; 102:2; 106:11, 42, 44; 107:6, 13, 19, 28; 120:1; 143:12; Isa. 11:13; 18:7; 19:20; 28:14; 29:7; 49:26; 51:13; Jer. 30:20; Lam. 1:3, 5, 7, 10, 17, 20; 2:17; Ezek. 18:18; Mic. 5:9). Here are a few representative uses... Exodus 3:9 And now, behold, the cry of the sons of Israel has come to Me; furthermore, I have seen the oppression with which the Egyptians are oppressing (Lxx = thlibo) them. Judges 4:3 And the sons of Israel cried to the LORD; for he had nine hundred iron chariots, and he oppressed (Lxx = thlibo) the sons of Israel severely for twenty years. Judges 10:9 And the sons of Ammon crossed the Jordan to fight also against Judah, Benjamin, and the house of Ephraim, so that Israel was greatly distressed (Lxx = thlibo). Judges 10:12 Also when the Sidonians, the Amalekites and the Maonites oppressed (Lxx = thlibo) you, you cried out to Me, and I delivered you from their hands. 1Samuel 10:18 and he said to the sons of Israel, "Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel, 'I brought Israel up from Egypt, and I delivered you from the hand of the Egyptians, and from the power of all the kingdoms that were oppressing you.' Psalm 18:6 In my distress (Lxx = thlibo = when I was afflicted) I called upon the LORD, And cried to my God for help; He heard my voice out of His temple, And my cry for help before Him came into His ears. Psalm 69:17 And do not hide Thy face from Thy servant, For I am in distress (Lxx = thlibo); answer me quickly. Psalm 107:6 Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble (Lxx = thlibo used as a noun); He delivered them out of their distresses. Psalm 120:1 A Song of Ascents. In my trouble (Lxx = thlibo used as a noun) I cried to the LORD, And He answered me. Micah 5:9 Your hand will be lifted up against your adversaries (Lxx = thlibo = "those who continually afflict you"), And all your enemies will be cut off. TDNT has this comment regarding the uses of thlibo (and thlipsis) in the ... 1. The theologically significant figurative use is common in the LXX for various Hebrew terms meaning a. “to distress,” b. “to treat with hostility,” c. “to afflict,” d. “to oppress,” and e. “to harass,” “be hostile to,” and even “destroy,” or, in the case of the noun, a. “trouble,” b. “distress,” c. “oppression,” “tribulation,” etc. 2. Both internal and external afflictions are in view, the former covering both distress and anxiety, the latter the afflictions of slaves or aliens, oppression by enemies, and such troubles as illness, desert wandering, and shipwreck. 3. Inner fear or anguish may be intended (cf. Gen. 42:21). 4. The terms acquire theological significance because the reference is usually to the distress of Israel (or the righteous), e.g., in Egypt (Ex. 4:31), or exile (Dt. 4:29). Often such distress is seen as a divine visitation on the people, so that we read of a present or future day of affliction (Isa 37:3; Hab. 3:16). 5. Yet the righteous also suffer various afflictions (enemies, sickness, etc.) from which God delivers them (cf. Ps 9:9; 32:7, etc.). In later Judaism afflictions are said to bring about repentance, increase merit, or achieve expiation for the self or others. (Kittel, G., Friedrich, G., & Bromiley, G. W. Theological Dictionary of the New Testament. Eerdmans) Thlibo is used 10 times in the NT... Matthew 7:14 (note) "For the gate is small, and the way is narrow (thlibo - perfect tense = a contracted way, straitened way or compressed way and is the continual state of the way - cf John 14:6) that leads to life, and few are those who find it. Mark 3:9 And He told His disciples that a boat should stand ready for Him because of the multitude, in order that they might not crowd (thlibo) Him; 2 Corinthians 1:6 But if we are afflicted (present tense, passive voice - continually being afflicted), it is for your comfort and salvation; or if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which is effective in the patient enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer; 2 Corinthians 4:8 we are afflicted (present tense, passive voice - continually being afflicted) in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; 2 Corinthians 7:5 For even when we came into Macedonia our flesh had no rest, but we were afflicted on every side: conflicts without, fears within. 1Thessalonians 3:4 (note) For indeed when we were with you, we kept telling you in advance that we were going to suffer affliction; and so it came to pass, as you know. 2 Thessalonians 1:6 For after all it is only just for God to repay with affliction those who (present tense, active voice - continually) afflict you 7 and to give relief to you who are (present tense, passive voice - continually being) afflicted and to us as well when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels in flaming fire, 1 Timothy 5:10 having a reputation for good works; and if she has brought up children, if she has shown hospitality to strangers, if she has washed the saints' feet, if she has assisted those in distress (thlibo used hear as a noun, literally means "those who are continually being afflicted"), and if she has devoted herself to every good work. Hebrews 11:37 (note) They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were tempted, they were put to death with the sword; they went about in sheepskins, in goatskins, being destitute, afflicted (hard-pressed by their foes), ill-treated Why are trials and afflictions necessary? Such experiences endured in God's power and for His glory prepare us to be able to comfort others also. In addition, trials serve to purify our faith, Peter exhorting his readers... Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing; so that also at the revelation of His glory, you may rejoice with exultation. (See notes 1Peter 4:12; 4:13) (Comment: Remember beloved that your trials are not sent to break you irreparably [although brokenness is often a "benefit" of trials - see Psalm 51:17 - Spurgeon's Note] but to reveal what is really inside and ultimately to conform you to the image of God's Son.) Richison reminds us that... Paul leveled with them that they would meet such things if they became Christians. He never misrepresented the difficulty in becoming a Christian. He never painted a rosy picture of a bed of ease. The Christian life demands confrontation. True Christianity is not convenient. (Ref) AND SO IT CAME TO PASS, AS YOU KNOW: (PPN) kathos kai egeneto (3SAMI) kai oidate. (2PRAI): (1Thes 2:2,14; Acts 17:1,5, 6, 7, 8, 9,13; 2Corinthians 8:1,2; 2Thessalonians 1:4, 5, 6) So (2531) (kathos) means as, just as, even as. Milligan has a similar use in a ancient secular Greek writing -- "that we will superintend the lamps of the above mentioned temples, as aforesaid" Came to pass (1096) (ginomai) is used essentially to describe what comes into existence. Here the foretold afflictions did in fact come into existence. Hiebert comments that with the phrase and so it came to pass Paul makes... an appeal to the exact fulfillment of their predictions. This verification of his words should encourage them and strengthen their faith. It was assurance that the missionaries knew what they were talking about. As you well know is a confirmatory appeal to the personal experience of his readers. They could personally testify that his predictions had been no empty saying. (Hiebert, D. Edmond: 1 & 2 Thessalonians: BMH Book. 1996)(Bolding Added). Know (1492) (eido) literally means perception by sight (perceive, see) as in Mt 2:2 where the wise men "saw His star". It is the verb that describes absolute, positive, beyond a chance of a doubt type of knowing something. The perfect tense speaks of the permanence of their knowing. It refers to that quality of knowledge that is intuitive. It means to see with the mind’s eye, signifies a clear and purely mental perception. It describes one as having come to a perception or realization of something. Fausset rightly observes that... The correspondence of the event to the prediction powerfully confirms faith: “Forewarned, forearmed” [Edmunds]. The repetition of “ye know,” so frequently, is designed as an argument, that being forewarned of coming affliction, they should be less readily “moved” by it. Hendricksen agrees writing that... Afflictions that have been predicted, and that take place in accordance with this prediction, serve to strengthen faith. (Hendriksen, W., & Kistemaker, S. J. NT Commentary Set. Baker Book or Logos) Trials are the norm in the "victorious" Christian life, but we can rest assured that the Refiner's hand is always on the thermostat. Trials for believers prove the reality of our faith, and weed out those who are mere professors (1Pe 1:7-note), enable us to comfort and encourage others who are going through trials (2Co 1:4), develop endurance in our character (Rom. 5:3), make us more zealous in spreading the gospel (Acts 4:29; 5:27, 28, 29: 8:3, 4) and help to remove the dross from our lives (Job 23:10-note;). 1Thessalonians 3:5 For this reason, when I could endure it no longer, I also sent to find out about your faith, for fear that the tempter might have tempted you, and our labor would be in vain. (NASB: Lockman) Greek: dia touto kago meketi stegon (PAPMSN) epempsa (1SAAI) eis to gnonai (AAN) ten pistin humon, me pos epeirasen (3SAAI) humas o peirazon (PAPMSN) kai eis kenon genetai (2SAMS) o kopos hemon Amplified: That is the reason that, when I could bear [the suspense] no longer, I sent that I might learn [how you were standing the strain, and the endurance of] your faith, [for I was fearful] lest somehow the tempter had tempted you and our toil [among you should prove to] be fruitless and to no purpose. (Amplified Bible - Lockman) NLT: That is why, when I could bear it no longer, I sent Timothy to find out whether your faith was still strong. I was afraid that the Tempter had gotten the best of you and that all our work had been useless. (NLT - Tyndale House) Phillips: You will understand that, when the suspense became unbearable, I sent someone to find out how your faith was standing the strain, and to make sure that the tempter's activities had not destroyed our work. (Phillips: Touchstone) WBC: Therefore, because I for my part could hold out no longer, I sent to learn about your faith, lest the tempter should have (successfully) tempted you and our labor should be in vain. (Bruce) Wuest: Because of this, when I also could bear it no longer, I sent [him] that I might come to know your faith, lest by any means the tempter had solicited you to do evil and my labor would turn out to be in vain. (Eerdmans) Young's Literal: because of this also, I, no longer forbearing, did send to know your faith, lest he who is tempting did tempt you, and in vain might be our labour. FOR THIS REASON, WHEN I COULD ENDURE IT NO LONGER, I ALSO SENT TO FIND OUT ABOUT YOUR FAITH: dia touto kago meketi stegon (PAPMSN) epempsa (1SAAI) eis to gnonai (AAN) ten pistin humon: (1Thes 3:2,6; Acts 15:36; 2Corinthians 7:5, 6, 7) For this reason (dia touto) means in essence "since I knew that you were so liable to be persecuted, and since I feared that some might be turned from the truth by this opposition."

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Afflict (crowd, distress, suffer affliction) (2346) thlibo

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