Difficult (5467) chalepos by Greek Word Studies

Difficult (5467) (chalepos Thayer says is from chalepto = to oppress, annoy) when referring to times means difficult, hard to bear, troublesome, hard, perilous and when referring people means fierce, violent dangerous, savage. This second use (the only other NT use) by Luke describes two demon possessed men as violent ("fierce", "savage", "dangerous") (Mt 8:28)! Webster says "fierce" is violently hostile or aggressive in temperament, given to fighting or killing, extremely vexatious, furiously active or determined, wild or menacing appearance, and applies to humans and animals that inspire terror because of their wild and menacing aspect or fury in attack. This picture should give one a good sense of the character of the "times" and they will only go from bad to worse so don't be shocked! Wiersbe offers the interesting thought that the use of chalepos to describe demons and last days "suggests that the violence of the last times will be energized by demons." (1Ti4:1) Ancient secular writers used chalepos to describe an ill-fitting cuirass (piece of armor covering the body from neck to waist), the "severity" of the wind, and of "hardships" or "sufferings". One ancient writer used chalepos to describe "life" saying "life is a hard thing"! Other secular uses described individuals as hard to deal with, harsh, severe, stern or strict, or a a judge as severe or an animal as savage. Plutarch used chalepos to describe an ugly, infected, and dangerous wound! Timothy (and all saints) needed to know that the world would become increasingly violent, hard to bear, dangerous and even savage. Vance Havner says that our day is one of anarchy in the world, of apostasy in the church and of apathy in the individual believer. Vine says that "In the present passage it (chalepos) intimates the difficulty of keeping to the path of rectitude." Hard, difficult to bear, distressing and grievous seasons are coming Timothy. To expect these times is to become not a pessimist but a realist. Calvin reminds us that what Paul is describing is not so much bad times but bad people, writing that “We should note what the hardness or danger of this time is in Paul’s view to be, not war, not famine or diseases, nor any of the other calamities or ills that befall the body, but the wicked and depraved ways of men.... He goes on to say that "Paul, therefore informs (Timothy), that the Church will be subject to terrible diseases, which will require in the pastors uncommon fidelity, diligence, watchfulness, prudence, and unwearied constancy; as if he enjoined Timothy to prepare for arduous and deeply anxious contests which awaited him. And hence we learn, that, so far from giving way, or being terrified, on account of any difficulties whatsoever, we ought, on the contrary. to arouse our hearts for resistance. In short, the “last days” will be fierce, violent, dangerous and frightening. The last days will be savage times when men cast off all moral restraint and society begins to disintegrate. Will come (enistemi from en = in + hístemi = stand) means to set in, to be at hand, to happen, with the implication of there being a particular set of circumstances (“shall be imminent” “shall come unexpectedly”). The idea is that these difficult times will "settle in upon" Timothy and upon all saints in these "last days"..

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Difficult (5467) chalepos

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