Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: While there is no direct Hebrew equivalent for ψύχω, the concept of spiritual cooling or waning love can be related to Hebrew terms that describe spiritual decline or lack of fervor, such as רָפָה (raphah • to let go, to weaken) and קָרַר (qarar • to be cold). These terms similarly convey the idea of diminishing intensity or fervor in a spiritual or moral sense.

Usage: The verb ψύχω is used in the New Testament to describe a cooling or waning of love or fervor, often in a spiritual or moral context.

Context: The Greek verb ψύχω (psycho) appears in the New Testament in contexts that metaphorically describe a decline in spiritual fervor or love. The term is derived from the basic action of blowing or breathing, which in its metaphorical sense, conveys the idea of something growing cold or losing its initial warmth and intensity.

In Matthew 24:12, Jesus uses ψύχω to describe a spiritual condition that will characterize the end times: "Because of the multiplication of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold." Here, ψύχω is employed to illustrate the chilling effect that rampant sin and lawlessness will have on the love and devotion of many believers. The imagery suggests a gradual cooling, akin to the way a breeze might extinguish a flame or how a lack of nurturing can cause fervor to diminish.

The use of ψύχω in this context serves as a warning to maintain vigilance and spiritual fervor despite external pressures and moral decay. It underscores the importance of sustaining love and commitment to God and others, even when faced with widespread apostasy and moral decline.

Theologically, ψύχω highlights the vulnerability of human love and devotion to external influences and the necessity of divine grace to sustain spiritual warmth and zeal. It serves as a call to believers to guard against complacency and to actively cultivate their relationship with God and their love for others.