Sorrow

sor'-o (chebhel, yaghon, makh'obh, etc.; lupe): The Old Testament has very many words translated "sorrow," those named being the most frequent; in the New Testament "sorrow" is usually the translation of lupe (Luke 22:45; John 16:6; 2 Cor 2:3; 2 Cor 2:7, etc.). Penthos, translated "sorrow" in Rev 18:7; Rev 21:4, is in the Revised Version (British and American) "mourning." Odune, of pain-and distress, is thus rendered in Rom 9:2; 1 Tim 6:10 (compare the verb in Luke 2:48; Acts 20:38). the Revised Version (British and American) frequently gives a more literal rendering of the words used, as "toil" (Gen 3:17), "pangs" (Exod 15:14), "pining" (Deut 28:65), "distress" (Isa 5:30), "lamentation" (Isa 29:2), etc.; sometimes also it uses "sorrow" for other words, as for "grief" (2 Chr 6:29; Ps 31:10; Ps 69:26; etc.; 2 Cor 2:5), "heaviness" (Rom 9:2; 2 Cor 2:1).

Sorrow or grief is necessary for discipline, for the development of the finer feelings and higher nature of the soul and spirit (Eccl 7:3, "Sorrow is better than laughter; for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made glad," margin "better"). Sorrow inevitably follows sin, and is its punishment, yet the righteous are not exempt from it. The "Servant of Yahweh" was "a man of sorrows" (Isa 53:3). Christians learn how to be "sorrowful, yet always rejoicing" (2 Cor 6:10; 2 Cor 7:4; Col 1:24; 1 Thess 1:6; etc.). In the New Jerusalem it is predicted that there shall be no sorrow, for sorrow shall have done its work, and the first things have passed away (Rev 21:4).

W. L. Walker