Be miserable (5003) talaiporeo by Greek Word Studies

Be miserable (5003) (talaiporeo) is a verb which Vine says "is derived from tlaō, to bear, undergo, and pōros, a hard substance, a callus, which metaphorically came to signify that which is miserable". Other sources say the root word is talas = suffering, wretched. Talaiporeo means first to do hard work, and then to endure hardship or experience distress. The idea primarily denotes going through hardship and distressing circumstances which came to be used of the feeling of misery and wretchedness because of the outward circumstances. To be afflicted. To be sorrowful over wretched circumstances. It speaks of the emotions that emanate from torment, whether external or internal. In the present context (the only NT use), it describes the expression of this person's grief and sense of brokenness. James commands them to "suffer misery, be sorrowful, be devastated, feel afflicted and miserable" over their sins (worldliness, double-mindedness, etc). Hiebert makes the important distinction that there is no indication... that James is calling for ascetic practices, such as fasting in sackcloth and ashes, to induce this feeling. Mayor holds that, since James was known for his asceticism, this imperative "is best understood of voluntary abstinence from comforts and luxuries." Well aware that such practices were no satisfactory substitute for inner penitence, James is best understood as calling for a deeper inner feeling of wretchedness and shame because of their sins. The aorist imperative is probably ingressive: "become wretched." When a true realization of their sinfulness strikes home, the feeling of wretchedness and grief will follow. (Ibid) Martin observes that... The demands to cleanse oneself are followed quickly by the resounding call to an overt and explicit repentance. To be miserable, (a hapax legomenon = only NT use) is not an invitation to or a sanction of asceticism (so Mayor, 147). In prophetic language...James urges his readers to change their ways. The opening verb (talaiporeo)...in the sense of “be devastated”) is a favorite with Jeremiah (in LXX, e.g., Jer 6:26).... The day of the Lord is near (Jas 5:8) and God’s people must return to him (Joel 2:12). There is no allowance made for Christians to take a casual attitude toward sin (1Pe 4:17). Mourning and wailing are the accompaniments of repentance, not the substitutes for it (see 19.1" class="scriptRef">2Sa 19:1; Neh 8:9; Mt 5:5; Lk 6:21, 25; Acts 18:11, 15, 19; 2Co 7:10). What James is implying is that (while there is still time) genuine repentance is needed or else those who are unrepentant face the eschatological wrath of God. (Martin, R. P. Vol. 48: Word Biblical Commentary : James. Dallas: Word, Incorporated) There are 13 uses of talaiporeo in the Septuagint (LXX) (Where we have meanings such as to endure distress, suffer misery, be in ruin, to trouble of afflict someone). It is notable that talaiporeo is used by the OT Prophets who generally convey news of a time of great and imminent danger. Keeping this thought it mind, his Jewish readers (who would be familiar with the OT prophets) would understand that in using this verb (the only use in the NT) James has placed before his hearers a matter which is not trifle but conversely quite serious. Similarly, the idea of changing laughter to mourning was used in Amos 8:10 to spark a sudden awareness of guilt and repentance. By proclaiming such signs the OT prophets warned of sudden catastrophe that the people of Israel had brought on themselves by their indifference to the poor and therefore to God Himself! Psalm 17:9 From the wicked who despoil me, My deadly enemies, who surround me. Psalm 38:6 I am bent over (Heb = avah = bent; twisted; bewildered; Lxx = talaiporeo) and greatly bowed down; I go mourning all day long. Hosea 10:2 Their heart is faithless; Now they must bear their guilt. The LORD will break down their altars And destroy (Heb = shadad = despoil, devastate; Lxx = talaiporeo) their sacred pillars. Micah 2:4 "On that day they will take up against you a taunt And utter a bitter lamentation and say, 'We are completely destroyed (Heb = shadad = despoil, devastate; Lxx = talaiporeo)! He exchanges the portion of my people; How He removes it from me! To the apostate He apportions our fields.' Joel 1:10 The field is ruined (Heb = shadad = despoil, devastate; Lxx = talaiporeo), The land mourns, For the grain is ruined (Heb = shadad = despoil, devastate; Lxx = talaiporeo), The new wine dries up, Fresh oil fails. Zechariah 11:2 Wail (Heb = yalal = command to howl; Lxx = hololuzo [onomatopoetic verb] = make loud an inarticulate cries in context because of the painful circumstances associated with God's judgment), O cypress, for the cedar has fallen, Because the glorious trees have been destroyed (Heb = shadad = despoil, devastate; Lxx = talaiporeo); Wail, O oaks of Bashan, For the impenetrable forest has come down.3 There is a sound of the shepherds' wail, For their glory is ruined (Heb = shadad = despoil, devastate; Lxx = talaiporeo); There is a sound of the young lions' roar, For the pride of the Jordan is ruined (Heb = shadad = despoil, devastate; Lxx = talaiporeo). Isaiah 33:1 Woe to you, O destroyer, While you were not destroyed (Heb = shadad = despoil, devastate; Lxx = talaiporeo); And he who is treacherous, while others did not deal treacherously with him. As soon as you shall finish destroying, you shall be destroyed; As soon as you shall cease to deal treacherously, others shall deal treacherously with you. Jeremiah 4:13 "Behold, he goes up like clouds, And his chariots like the whirlwind; His horses are swifter than eagles. Woe to us, for we are ruined (Heb = shadad = despoil, devastate; Lxx = talaiporeo)!"...20 Disaster on disaster is proclaimed, For the whole land is devastated (Heb = shadad = despoil, devastate; Lxx = talaiporeo); Suddenly my tents are devastated (Heb = shadad = despoil, devastate; Lxx = talaiporeo), My curtains in an instant. (In this context Jeremiah like James gives a charge to "get right with God" -- Jeremiah 4:14 Wash [command] your heart from evil [cp Jer 4:4], O Jerusalem, that you may be saved. How long will your wicked thoughts Lodge within you?) Jeremiah 9:19 "For a voice of wailing is heard from Zion, 'How are we ruined (Heb = shadad = despoil, devastate; Lxx = talaiporeo)! We are put to great shame, For we have left the land, Because they have cast down our dwellings.'" Jeremiah 10:20 My tent is destroyed (Heb = shadad = despoil, devastate; Lxx = talaiporeo), And all my ropes are broken; My sons have gone from me and are no more. There is no one to stretch out my tent again Or to set up my curtains. Jeremiah 12:12 "On all the bare heights in the wilderness Destroyers (Heb = shadad = despoil, devastate; Lxx = talaiporeo) have come, For a sword of the LORD is devouring From one end of the land even to the other; There is no peace for anyone. The Lord wants us to mourn our sin, To grieve what brings Him pain; And if the sorrow changes us, Our tears won't be in vain. —Sper

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Be miserable (5003) talaiporeo

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