Tag Archives: τιμωρία

Synonyms: Justice and Correction in the Greek New Testament: τιμωρία and κόλασις

The Greek terms τιμωρία (timōria) and κόλασις (kolasis) are both associated with punishment, yet they diverge in motivation, context, and theological function in profound ways. While both τιμωρία and κόλασις are commonly translated as “punishment” in English, they carry distinct nuances in Greek. These differences were not only lexical but also philosophical and theological. The New Testament’s selective use of these words sheds light on divine justice, correction, and eschatological judgment. This article explores their etymology, usage in biblical and extrabiblical texts, and their implications for Christian theology.

Lexical Definitions and Etymological Roots τιμωρία – From the verb τιμωρέω (“to avenge” or “to take vengeance”), this noun denotes retributive punishment, typically for the sake of justice or retaliation.… Learn Koine Greek
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