παροξυσμός (paroxusmos)
paroxusmos
stirring up
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun paroxysmos describes a sudden, sharp intensification of feeling, often translating to "stirring up" or "provocation." It captures the moment when underlying tension erupts into open conflict. In Acts 15:39, the term illustrates the intense disagreement between Paul and Barnabas that led to their separation, highlighting how strong emotions can fracture even close partnerships.
Its root verb implies sharpening or irritating, suggesting a reaction that is immediate and visceral rather than calm deliberation. The word carries a sense of being "set on edge," where patience wears thin and anger flares. This nuance distinguishes it from general disagreement; it points specifically to the heated friction that arises when passions are provoked.
In Hebrews 10:24, the meaning shifts slightly toward positive stimulation. Here, paroxysmos refers to "provoking" one another to love and good works. The same word for sharp irritation is used to describe a deliberate, energetic urging toward mutual encouragement. This dual usage shows how the intensity of human emotion can drive either destructive conflict or constructive community, depending on its direction.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word paroxysmos captures that sudden, sharp intensification of feeling where patience wears thin and emotions erupt. It describes a moment when underlying tension boils over into open conflict, much like the disagreement between Paul and Barnabas in Acts 15:39. This kind of friction can fracture even close relationships, showing how easily strong feelings can lead to separation if not handled with care.
Yet this same intensity can be redirected toward good. In Hebrews 10:24, the word is used positively to describe stirring one another up to love and good works. It reminds us that our emotional energy does not have to destroy; it can build community when we choose to use it for encouragement rather than conflict.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- stirring up1×
- a sharp disagreement,1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- παροξυσμός,1×
- παροξυσμὸν1×
Key Verses
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Acts 15:39
Then the contention grew so sharp that they separated from each other. Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus,
This verse shows the word describing a sharp contention that caused Paul and Barnabas to part ways, highlighting how unmanaged emotional friction can break partnerships.
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Hebrews 10:24
Let’s consider how to provoke one another to love and good works,
Here the term is used positively to mean provoking or stirring up one another toward love and good works, showing its capacity for constructive encouragement.