Original Word: διαπονέομαι
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: diaponeomai
Pronunciation: dee-ah-pon-eh'-om-ahee
Phonetic Spelling: (dee-ap-on-eh'-o)
KJV: be grieved
NASB: greatly annoyed, greatly disturbed
Word Origin: [from G1223 (διά - through) and a derivative of G4192 (πόνος - pain)]

1. to toil through
2. (passively) be worried

be grieved.

From dia and a derivative of ponos; to toil through, i.e. (passively) be worried -- be grieved.

see GREEK dia

see GREEK ponos

1278 diaponéō (from 1223 /diá, "thoroughly," intensifying poneō, "to labor, toil") – properly, bring on exhausting, depleting grief which results in "piercing fatigue."

Word Origin
from dia and poneomai (to work hard)
Definition
to toil through, to be worn out or annoyed
NASB Translation
greatly annoyed (1), greatly disturbed (1).

STRONGS NT 1278: διαπονέω

διαπονέω: to work out laboriously, make complete by labor. Middle (present διαπονοῦμαι); with 1 aorist passive διεπονήθην (for which Attic writings διεπονησαμην);

a. to exert oneself, strive;

b. to manage with pains, accomplish with great labor; in secular authors in both senses (from Aeschylus down).

c. to be troubled, displeased, offended, pained, (cf. colloquial English to be worked up; Winer's Grammar, 23 (22)): Acts 4:2; Acts 16:18. (Aq. in Genesis 6:6; 1 Samuel 20:30; the Sept. in Ecclesiastes 10:9 for נֶעֱצַב; Hesychius διαπονηθείς; λυπηθείς.)

Range of Meaning and Emotional Nuance

The verb conveys an intense inner toil that erupts into outward agitation. It pictures the grinding of the spirit when something stands in stark opposition to truth or mission. In Scripture it is never a shallow irritation; it is a deep-seated distress springing from a moral or spiritual clash.

Occurrences in Acts

1. Acts 4:2 records the reaction of the temple authorities, “greatly disturbed that they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead.” The guardians of the status quo feel their power base threatened as the apostles boldly testify to the risen Christ.
2. Acts 16:18 shows the apostle Paul facing a demonized slave girl who advertises the Gospel for personal gain. “Finally Paul became so annoyed that he turned and said to the spirit, ‘In the name of Jesus Christ I command you to come out of her!’ And at that moment the spirit left her.” Here the distress propels decisive deliverance.

Contrast of Holy Zeal and Unbelieving Agitation

Luke deliberately places the same verb on two opposite sides of the Gospel. The rulers’ agitation in Jerusalem stems from unbelief; Paul’s agitation in Philippi flows from holy zeal. In both cases the message of the resurrection disrupts settled systems—either entrenched religion or lucrative superstition. The same emotion thus becomes a diagnostic tool: is the disturbance born of resistance to God or of alignment with His purposes?

Historical Background

In the first century the Sadducean leadership controlled temple teaching and rejected bodily resurrection. News that common fishermen were persuading crowds with a risen Messiah generated political alarm. Likewise, Philippi’s economy included fortune-telling and pagan spirituality; losing a profitable oracle threatened local commerce. The verb captures how the Gospel unsettled economic, religious, and social expectations across the Empire.

Ministry Implications

• A servant of Christ will inevitably confront moments when falsehood masquerades as truth. Properly channeled spiritual distress can lead to courageous action rather than passive frustration.
• God’s servants must discern whether their agitation is fleshly or Spirit-led. Paul’s response liberated a captive girl and advanced the mission; the rulers’ response led to persecution.
• Deliverance ministry, when grounded in the authority of Jesus’ name, stands as a legitimate continuation of apostolic practice, provided it seeks the glory of Christ and the good of the oppressed.

Theological Reflection

Both passages affirm the unstoppable advance of resurrection truth. Opposition may be vocal, organized, and emotionally charged, yet the risen Lord overrules. The verb therefore underscores the cosmic clash between the kingdom of God and the dominion of darkness. Where Christ is preached, spiritual turbulence is to be expected; but it also signals impending victory.

Practical Applications for Today’s Church

• Expect resistance when proclaiming Christ crucified and risen; anticipate emotional turbulence, both within the culture and within one’s own heart.
• Channel righteous disturbance into prayer, proclamation, and, when needed, confrontation of spiritual bondage.
• Guard against becoming like the temple authorities—defensive of tradition at the expense of truth.
• Remember that the authority to command evil spirits rests not on personality but on the name and finished work of Jesus Christ.

διαπονηθεις διαπονηθείς διαπονηθεὶς διαπονηθήσεται διαπονουμενοι διαπονούμενοι diaponetheis diaponetheìs diaponētheis diaponētheìs diaponoumenoi diaponoúmenoiInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts