Engl 1301 Writing #4, Division / Classification
“Anger”
By: Eric Heifner
In the Bible, anger is mentioned about 250 times. We are told to “be angry and do not sin”. We’re told not to “let the sun go down on our anger”. We’re told to get rid of our anger, and to be kind, compassionate, and forgiving of one another. Anger is an inescapable aspect of life.
In the Greek text there are three different words used for anger, each having a unique meaning. They are “thumos”, “parogismos”, and “orge”.
“Thumos” refers to the least desirable, often times dangerous type of anger. It is that uncontrollable, unrestrained anger that can sometimes lead to some pretty hideous actions. It’s that hot-headed temper-flaring anger resulting in road rage, “crimes of passion”, and the like.
Next is “parogismos.” Parogismos is that type of anger that leads to resentments. It’s that gnawing at the gut that tends to be long lasting, and if not dealt with properly can lead to some real problems. It’s one of the reasons forgiveness is so important. Carrying around this type of anger can have adverse effects on your health…physically, emotionally, and spiritually. This is the type of anger we’re not to “let the sun go down on.”
The third type of anger is “orge” and it is actually not a bad thing. Orge is the type of anger one might feel towards a social injustice or some other wrongdoing. This is the type of anger that drives people to action and has led to many positive changes taking place in the world. It’s the anger Jesus might have felt when he kicked the money changers out of the temple. It’s the type of anger referred to when we’re told to “be angry, but do not sin.”
So yes, the Bible does have a lot to say about anger. It is, in fact, the second most mentioned concept in the book. But please, don’t let that make you mad. Consider what is mentioned most…Love.
By: Eric Heifner
In the Bible, anger is mentioned about 250 times. We are told to “be angry and do not sin”. We’re told not to “let the sun go down on our anger”. We’re told to get rid of our anger, and to be kind, compassionate, and forgiving of one another. Anger is an inescapable aspect of life.
In the Greek text there are three different words used for anger, each having a unique meaning. They are “thumos”, “parogismos”, and “orge”.
“Thumos” refers to the least desirable, often times dangerous type of anger. It is that uncontrollable, unrestrained anger that can sometimes lead to some pretty hideous actions. It’s that hot-headed temper-flaring anger resulting in road rage, “crimes of passion”, and the like.
Next is “parogismos.” Parogismos is that type of anger that leads to resentments. It’s that gnawing at the gut that tends to be long lasting, and if not dealt with properly can lead to some real problems. It’s one of the reasons forgiveness is so important. Carrying around this type of anger can have adverse effects on your health…physically, emotionally, and spiritually. This is the type of anger we’re not to “let the sun go down on.”
The third type of anger is “orge” and it is actually not a bad thing. Orge is the type of anger one might feel towards a social injustice or some other wrongdoing. This is the type of anger that drives people to action and has led to many positive changes taking place in the world. It’s the anger Jesus might have felt when he kicked the money changers out of the temple. It’s the type of anger referred to when we’re told to “be angry, but do not sin.”
So yes, the Bible does have a lot to say about anger. It is, in fact, the second most mentioned concept in the book. But please, don’t let that make you mad. Consider what is mentioned most…Love.