Lexical Summary thlipsis: Tribulation, Affliction, Distress, Persecution Original Word: θλῖψις Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: thlipsis Pronunciation: THLIP-sis Phonetic Spelling: (thlip'-sis) KJV: afflicted(-tion), anguish, burdened, persecution, tribulation, trouble NASB: tribulation, affliction, afflictions, tribulations, distress, anguish, persecution Word Origin: [from G2346 (θλίβω - afflicted)]
1. pressure {literally or figuratively} Strong's Exhaustive Concordance affliction, persecution, tribulation From thlibo; pressure (literally or figuratively) -- afflicted(-tion), anguish, burdened, persecution, tribulation, trouble. see GREEK thlibo HELPS Word-studies 2347 thlípsis – properly, pressure (what constricts or rubs together), used of a narrow place that "hems someone in"; tribulation, especially internal pressure that causes someone to feel confined (restricted, "without options"). 2347 /thlípsis ("compression, tribulation") carries the challenge of coping with the internal pressure of a tribulation, especially when feeling there is "no way of escape" ("hemmed in"). [By contrast, 4730 (stenoxōría) focuses on the external pressure exerted by circumstances.] NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom thlibóDefinitiontribulation NASB Translationaffliction (14), afflictions (6), anguish (1), distress (2), persecution (1), tribulation (16), tribulations (4), trouble (1).
Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 2347: θλῖψιςθλῖψις, or θλῖψις (so L Tr) (cf. Winers Grammar, § 6, 1 e.; Lipsius, Grammat. Untersuch., p. 35), θλίψεως, ἡ ( θλίβω), properly, a pressing, pressing together, pressure ( Strabo, p. 52; Galen); in Biblical and ecclesiastical writings, a Greek metaphor, oppression, affliction, tribulation, distress, straits; Vulg.tribulatio, also pressura ( 2 Corinthians 1:4b; John 16:(21),33; ( Philippians 1:16 (17); and in Colossians 1:24 passio)); (the Sept. for צָרָה, also for צַר, לַחַץ, etc.): Matthew 24:9; Acts 7:11; Acts 11:19; Romans 12:12; 2 Corinthians 1:4, 8; 2 Corinthians 4:17; 2 Corinthians 6:4; 2 Corinthians 7:4; 2 Corinthians 8:2; 2 Thessalonians 1:6; Revelation 1:9; Revelation 2:9, 22; Revelation 7:14; joined with στενοχωρία (cf. Trench, § lv.), Romans 2:9; Romans 8:35 ( Deuteronomy 28:53f; Isa. ( ); ); with ἀνάγκη, 1 Thessalonians 3:7; with διωγμός, Matthew 13:21; Mark 4:17; 2 Thessalonians 1:4; of the afflictions of those hard pressed by siege and the calamities of war, Matthew 24:21, 29; Mark 13:19, 24; of the straits of want, 2 Corinthians 8:13; Philippians 4:14 (here others give the word a wider reference); James 1:27; of the distress of a woman in childbirth; John 16:21. θλῖψιν ἔχω (equivalent to θλίβομαι), John 16:33; 1 Corinthians 7:28; Revelation 2:10; θλῖψις ἐπί τινα ἔρχεται, Acts 7:11; ἐν θλίψει, 1 Thessalonians 1:6. plural: Acts 7:10; Acts 14:22; Acts 20:23; Romans 5:3; Ephesians 3:13; 1 Thessalonians 3:3; Hebrews 10:33; τοῦ Χριστοῦ, the afflictions which Christ had to undergo (and which, therefore, his followers must not shrink from), Colossians 1:24 (see ἀνταναπληρόω); θλῖψις τῆς καρδίας (καί συνοχή), anxiety, burden of heart, 2 Corinthians 2:4; θλῖψιν ἐπιφέρειν (L T Tr WH ἐγείρειν, see ἐγείρω, 4 c.) τοῖς δεσμοῖς τίνος, to increase the misery of my imprisonment by causing me anxiety, Philippians 1:16 (17).
Topical Lexicon Scope and Background Strong’s Greek 2347 describes the varied pressures that press upon God’s people: external persecution, internal anguish, material hardship, and eschatological distress. Although the contexts differ, the theme is consistent—God’s people encounter constriction yet are sustained and refined by His sovereign grace. The Teaching of Jesus In the Parable of the Soils, tribulation tests a superficial profession of faith (Matthew 13:21; Mark 4:17). Christ foretells rising hostility that will “deliver you up to tribulation and kill you” (Matthew 24:9) and climaxes in a unique “great tribulation, unmatched from the beginning of the world” (Matthew 24:21; cf. Mark 13:19). Yet He simultaneously assures, “In the world you will have tribulation. But take courage; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). For the disciple, distress is neither unexpected nor ultimate. Pauline Theology of Tribulation 1. Formation of character: “We also rejoice in our tribulations, because we know that tribulation produces perseverance” (Romans 5:3). 2. Assurance of inseparable love: “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation…?” (Romans 8:35). No earthly pressure can sever covenantal bonds. 3. Light and momentary: Paul calls present affliction “light and momentary…producing for us an eternal weight of glory” (2 Corinthians 4:17). 4. Shared consolation: God “comforts us in all our tribulation, so that we can comfort those in any tribulation” (2 Corinthians 1:4). Ministry is birthed out of experienced distress. 5. Missional necessity: “It is through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God” (Acts 14:22, with Paul as speaker). Tribulation, not ease, is the normal pathway of gospel advance. 6. Apostolic biography: Repeated jailings, riots, and poverty fill Paul’s résumé (Acts 20:23; 2 Corinthians 6:4; 11:23–28). He views them as stewardship—“Now I rejoice in my sufferings for you and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for His body” (Colossians 1:24). Tribulation in the General Epistles James frames authentic religion as visiting “orphans and widows in their tribulation” (James 1:27), urging tangible mercy amid oppression. Peter, though not using the word, speaks the same language: fiery trials refine faith (1 Peter 1:6-7). Thessalonian correspondence repeatedly addresses congregational distress (1 Thessalonians 1:6; 3:3, 7; 2 Thessalonians 1:4, 6), portraying endurance as evidence of election and basis for coming retribution on persecutors. Johannine Writings and Revelation John, “your brother and partner in the tribulation” (Revelation 1:9), writes to assemblies in Asia Minor: • Smyrna: “I know your tribulation…Be faithful unto death” (Revelation 2:9-10). • Thyatira: Those persisting in immorality will be “cast into great tribulation” (Revelation 2:22). The climactic vision shows a multitude emerging “out of the great tribulation” (Revelation 7:14); their robes are washed in the blood of the Lamb, proving salvific sufficiency amid eschatological judgment. Spiritual Purposes and Outcomes • Purification: Tribulation exposes motives and excises idols. • Perseverance: Pressures train believers in patient endurance (Romans 5:3-4). • Corporate solidarity: Shared distress forges empathetic fellowship (2 Corinthians 1:4; Philippians 4:14). • Witness: Suffering validates testimony, displaying Christ’s worth above comfort (Philippians 1:17; 2 Corinthians 8:2). Eschatological Significance: The Great Tribulation Prophetic passages apply the term both generically and specifically. The “great tribulation” (Matthew 24:21; Revelation 7:14) denotes a climactic period of unprecedented anguish preceding Christ’s return. While interpretive models vary, Scripture is clear that God limits its duration (Matthew 24:22) and preserves His elect. Believers therefore watch, pray, and remain faithful, confident that final deliverance is secured by the conquering Lamb. Historical Profile of Tribulation in the Early Church From Stephen’s martyrdom and the ensuing dispersion (Acts 7:11; 11:19) through Nero’s executions, tribulation shaped apostolic mission. Scattered believers carried the gospel (Acts 8:4), demonstrating that persecution often functions as providential impetus for expansion. Pastoral Implications for Contemporary Believers 1. Expectation: Prepare congregations for opposition; false advertising breeds apostasy (Matthew 13:21). 2. Encouragement: Hold forth Christ’s victory (John 16:33) and the glory to come (2 Corinthians 4:17). 3. Empathy: Develop ministries of practical aid to those under pressure (James 1:27). 4. Endurance: Cultivate disciplines of prayer and hope—“Rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation” (Romans 12:12). 5. Evangelism: Suffering is not a detour but a platform; authentic witness often shines brightest under duress. In every occurrence, tribulation functions as a crucible under God’s sovereign hand, purifying faith, advancing the gospel, and magnifying the sufficiency of Christ until the day when “there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain” (Revelation 21:4). Forms and Transliterations θλιψει θλίψει θλιψεις θλίψεις θλίψεσι θλίψεσί θλιψεσιν θλίψεσιν θλίψεσίν θλιψεων θλίψεων θλιψεως θλιψεώς θλίψεως θλίψεώς θλιψιν θλίψιν θλῖψιν θλιψις θλίψις θλῖψις θνησιμαία θνησιμαίοις θνησιμαίον θνησιμαίου θνησιμαίων thlipsei thlípsei thlipseis thlípseis thlipseon thlipseōn thlípseon thlípseōn thlipseos thlipseōs thlípseos thlípseōs thlipsesin thlípsesin thlípsesín thlipsin thlípsin thlipsis thlípsisLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Matthew 13:21 N-GFSGRK: γενομένης δὲ θλίψεως ἢ διωγμοῦNAS: but is [only] temporary, and when affliction or KJV: for when tribulation or INT: having come however tribulation or persecution Matthew 24:9 N-AFS GRK: ὑμᾶς εἰς θλίψιν καὶ ἀποκτενοῦσιν NAS: they will deliver you to tribulation, and will kill KJV: up to be afflicted, and shall kill INT: you to tribulation and will kill Matthew 24:21 N-NFS GRK: γὰρ τότε θλίψις μεγάλη οἵα NAS: there will be a great tribulation, such KJV: great tribulation, such as INT: indeed then tribulation great such as Matthew 24:29 N-AFS GRK: μετὰ τὴν θλίψιν τῶν ἡμερῶν NAS: after the tribulation of those KJV: after the tribulation of those INT: after the tribulation the days Mark 4:17 N-GFS GRK: εἶτα γενομένης θλίψεως ἢ διωγμοῦ NAS: then, when affliction or KJV: afterward, when affliction or INT: then having arisen tribulation or persecution Mark 13:19 N-NFS GRK: ἡμέραι ἐκεῖναι θλίψις οἵα οὐ NAS: days will be a [time of] tribulation such KJV: days shall be affliction, such as INT: days those tribulation such as never Mark 13:24 N-AFS GRK: μετὰ τὴν θλίψιν ἐκείνην ὁ NAS: after that tribulation, THE SUN KJV: that tribulation, the sun INT: after the tribulation those the John 16:21 N-GFS GRK: μνημονεύει τῆς θλίψεως διὰ τὴν NAS: remembers the anguish because KJV: no more the anguish, for INT: she remembers the tribulation on account of the John 16:33 N-AFS GRK: τῷ κόσμῳ θλίψιν ἔχετε ἀλλὰ NAS: you have tribulation, but take courage; KJV: ye shall have tribulation: but INT: the world tribulation you have but Acts 7:10 N-GFP GRK: πασῶν τῶν θλίψεων αὐτοῦ καὶ NAS: him from all his afflictions, and granted KJV: all his afflictions, and gave INT: all the tribulations of him and Acts 7:11 N-NFS GRK: Χαναὰν καὶ θλίψις μεγάλη καὶ NAS: and great affliction [with it], and our fathers KJV: and great affliction: and our INT: Canaan and tribulation great and Acts 11:19 N-GFS GRK: ἀπὸ τῆς θλίψεως τῆς γενομένης NAS: because of the persecution that occurred KJV: upon the persecution that arose INT: by the tribulation that had taken place Acts 14:22 N-GFP GRK: διὰ πολλῶν θλίψεων δεῖ ἡμᾶς NAS: many tribulations we must KJV: through much tribulation enter into INT: through many tribulations must we Acts 20:23 N-NFP GRK: δεσμὰ καὶ θλίψεις με μένουσιν NAS: that bonds and afflictions await KJV: bonds and afflictions abide me. INT: chains and tribulations me await Romans 2:9 N-NFS GRK: θλίψις καὶ στενοχωρία NAS: [There will be] tribulation and distress KJV: Tribulation and anguish, INT: tribulation and distress Romans 5:3 N-DFP GRK: ἐν ταῖς θλίψεσιν εἰδότες ὅτι NAS: exult in our tribulations, knowing KJV: we glory in tribulations also: knowing INT: in the tribulations knowing that Romans 5:3 N-NFS GRK: ὅτι ἡ θλίψις ὑπομονὴν κατεργάζεται NAS: knowing that tribulation brings about KJV: that tribulation worketh INT: that the tribulation endurance produces Romans 8:35 N-NFS GRK: τοῦ χριστοῦ θλίψις ἢ στενοχωρία NAS: of Christ? Will tribulation, or KJV: of Christ? [shall] tribulation, or INT: of Christ tribulation or distress Romans 12:12 N-DFS GRK: χαίροντες τῇ θλίψει ὑπομένοντες τῇ NAS: persevering in tribulation, devoted KJV: patient in tribulation; continuing instant INT: rejoice the in tribulation be patient 1 Corinthians 7:28 N-AFS GRK: οὐχ ἥμαρτεν θλίψιν δὲ τῇ NAS: such will have trouble in this life, KJV: shall have trouble in the flesh: INT: not she did sin tribulation however in the 2 Corinthians 1:4 N-DFS GRK: πάσῃ τῇ θλίψει ἡμῶν εἰς NAS: us in all our affliction so KJV: all our tribulation, that we INT: all the tribulation of us for 2 Corinthians 1:4 N-DFS GRK: ἐν πάσῃ θλίψει διὰ τῆς NAS: who are in any affliction with the comfort KJV: any trouble, by INT: in every tribulation through the 2 Corinthians 1:8 N-GFS GRK: ὑπὲρ τῆς θλίψεως ἡμῶν τῆς NAS: brethren, of our affliction which came KJV: of our trouble which came INT: as to the tribulation of us 2 Corinthians 2:4 N-GFS GRK: γὰρ πολλῆς θλίψεως καὶ συνοχῆς NAS: For out of much affliction and anguish KJV: out of much affliction and anguish INT: indeed much tribulation and distress 2 Corinthians 4:17 N-GFS GRK: ἐλαφρὸν τῆς θλίψεως ἡμῶν καθ' NAS: light affliction is producing KJV: light affliction, which INT: lightness of tribulation of us far Strong's Greek 2347 45 Occurrences
θλίψει — 9 Occ. θλίψεις — 1 Occ. θλίψεων — 3 Occ. θλίψεως — 9 Occ. θλίψεσιν — 6 Occ. θλίψιν — 10 Occ. θλίψις — 7 Occ.
|