Definition and Meaning:
The term "exasperate" refers to the act of provoking someone to a high degree of irritation or annoyance. In a biblical context, it often involves actions or attitudes that lead others, particularly children, to frustration or anger.

Biblical References:
The concept of exasperation is addressed in the New Testament, particularly in the context of family relationships. The Apostle Paul provides guidance on this matter in his epistles, emphasizing the importance of nurturing and guiding children without provoking them to anger.

1. Ephesians 6:4 :
"Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord."
In this passage, Paul instructs fathers to avoid actions that would lead their children to frustration or resentment. Instead, they are encouraged to raise their children with a focus on godly discipline and instruction. This highlights the balance between authority and compassion in parenting.

2. Colossians 3:21 :
"Fathers, do not provoke your children, so they will not become discouraged."
Here, Paul reiterates the importance of not provoking children to the point of discouragement. The emphasis is on maintaining a nurturing environment that fosters spiritual and emotional growth, rather than one that leads to bitterness or disheartenment.

Theological Implications:
The biblical admonition against exasperating children underscores the responsibility of parents to reflect God's love and patience in their parenting. It suggests that authority should be exercised with care and understanding, avoiding harshness or unreasonable demands that could lead to rebellion or despair.

Practical Application:
In practical terms, avoiding exasperation involves active listening, empathy, and consistent discipline that aligns with biblical principles. Parents are encouraged to model Christ-like behavior, demonstrating grace and forgiveness while setting clear and loving boundaries. This approach not only helps in building a strong parent-child relationship but also in nurturing a child's faith and character.

Related Concepts:
· Discipline: Biblical discipline is corrective and instructive, aimed at guiding children towards righteousness rather than merely punishing wrongdoing.
· Patience: A fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22), patience is essential in parenting, allowing parents to respond to their children's needs and mistakes with grace.
· Encouragement: Encouraging children in their faith and personal growth is vital, as it helps them develop confidence and resilience.

Historical Context:
In the Greco-Roman world, the authority of the father was often absolute, and harsh discipline was common. Paul's teachings in Ephesians and Colossians were counter-cultural, advocating for a more compassionate and Christ-centered approach to parenting.

Conclusion:
While the Bible does not provide an exhaustive manual on parenting, the principles laid out in these passages offer timeless wisdom for fostering healthy and godly family dynamics. By avoiding exasperation, parents can create an environment where children are encouraged to grow in their faith and character, reflecting the love and patience of God.1. (v. t.) To irritate in a high degree; to provoke; to enrage; to excite or to inflame the anger of; as, to exasperate a person or his feelings.

2. (v. t.) To make grievous, or more grievous or malignant; to aggravate; to embitter; as, to exasperate enmity.

3949. parorgizo -- to provoke to anger
... to anger. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: parorgizo Phonetic Spelling:
(par-org-id'-zo) Short Definition: I provoke to anger, exasperate Definition: I ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3949.htm - 7k

2559. kakoo -- to ill-treat
... to mistreat, harm. From kakos; to injure; figuratively, to exasperate -- make
evil affected, entreat evil, harm, hurt, vex. see GREEK kakos. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2559.htm - 7k

2042. erethizo -- to stir up
... incite. Word Origin from eretho (to stir to anger) Definition to stir up
NASB Word Usage exasperate (1), stirred (1). provoke. From ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2042.htm - 6k

3893. parapikraino -- to embitter, provoke
... provoke. From para and pikraino; to embitter alongside, ie (figuratively) to
exasperate -- provoke. see GREEK para. see GREEK pikraino. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3893.htm - 6k

1282. diaprio -- to saw asunder, cut to the heart
... cut to the heart. From dia and the base of prizo; to saw asunder, ie (figuratively)
to exasperate -- cut (to the heart). see GREEK dia. see GREEK prizo. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1282.htm - 7k

3947. paroxuno -- to sharpen, fig. to stimulate, to provoke
... easily provoke, stir. From para and a derivative of oxus; to sharpen alongside,
ie (figuratively) to exasperate -- easily provoke, stir. see GREEK para. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3947.htm - 7k

Significant Phrases
... certain and verifiable. chafe and exasperate. chagrin and despondency. ... imagination
and memory. imbitter and exasperate. imitators and disciples. ...
/.../kleiser/fifteen thousand useful phrases/section ii significant phrases.htm

That Pious Parents have Reason to Hope it is Well with those Dear ...
... The tender Heart of a Parent may, perhaps, take a Hint, from hence to terrify itself,
and exasperate all its other Sorrows, by that sad Thought, "What if my ...
/.../iv that pious parents have.htm

Imperial Caesar
... As he glanced down at the reposeful attitude of the man whom he could not exasperate
he saw the sun glitter on the Maccabaean signet on the hand clasped back ...
/.../miller/the city of delight/chapter vii imperial caesar.htm

Our Lord in the Garden
... between the preacher and His enemies. If true preaching does not subdue us,
it is sure to exasperate us. The better the preaching is ...
//christianbookshelf.org/whyte/lord teach us to pray/xi our lord in the.htm

1 Cor. x. 13
... Because he hath cried out aloud and heightened the accusation, calling it idolatry;
that he might not seem to exasperate them and to make his speech disgusting ...
/.../homilies on the epistles of paul to the corinthians/homily xxiv 1 cor x.htm

The Life of Mr. Angus Macbean.
... Of this he was informed late on Saturday, and by some friends was importuned
to abstain from saying any thing that might exasperate them. ...
/.../howie/biographia scoticana scots worthies/the life of mr angus.htm

First Withdrawal from Herod's Territory and Return.
... alone. [The news of John's assassination was calculated to exasperate him
in the highest degree, and also to deeply distress him. ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/lxiii first withdrawal from herods 3.htm

Then, Having Shown that Eunomius' Calumny against the Great Basil ...
... up his mind to slander us, let him add the other charge as well, and spare nothing
by which it may be in his power more violently to exasperate his hearers ...
/.../gregory/gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/section 4 then having shown.htm

That the Ruler Should be Pure in Thought.
... within, so that no admixture of humanity cleave to him in what he dispenses as standing
in God's stead, lest private vexation should exasperate the keenness of ...
/.../leo/writings of leo the great/chapter ii that the ruler.htm

St. Ambrose Having Set Forth the virgin Mary as a Pattern for Life ...
... Food did not induce them though kept without their meal; no impulse hurried them
on when excited; anger did not exasperate them when stirred up, nor did their ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter iii st ambrose having.htm

Exasperate (2 Occurrences)
... 1. (vt) To irritate in a high degree; to provoke; to enrage; to excite or to inflame
the anger of; as, to exasperate a person or his feelings. ...
/e/exasperate.htm - 7k

Examples (8 Occurrences)

/e/examples.htm - 8k

Urge (34 Occurrences)
... 2. (vt) To press the mind or will of; to ply with motives, arguments, persuasion,
or importunity. 3. (vt) To provoke; to exasperate. ...
/u/urge.htm - 15k

Irritate (2 Occurrences)
... 3. (vt) To excite anger or displeasure in; to provoke; to tease; to exasperate;
to annoy; to vex; as, the insolence of a tyrant irritates his subjects. ...
/i/irritate.htm - 7k

Inflame (3 Occurrences)
... as, to inflame desire. 3. (vt) To provoke to anger or rage; to exasperate;
to irritate; to incense; to enrage. 4. (vt) To put in ...
/i/inflame.htm - 8k

Exasperated (2 Occurrences)

/e/exasperated.htm - 7k

Edge (150 Occurrences)
... garden with box. 8. (vt) To make sharp or keen, figuratively; to incite;
to exasperate; to goad; to urge or egg on. 9. (vt) To move ...
/e/edge.htm - 39k

Provoke (64 Occurrences)
... or passion, as love, hate, or ambition; hence, commonly, to incite, as a person,
to action by a challenge, by taunts, or by defiance; to exasperate; to irritate ...
/p/provoke.htm - 31k

Blood (435 Occurrences)
... 13. (vt) To give (hounds or soldiers) a first taste or sight of blood, as in hunting
or war. 14. (vt) To heat the blood of; to exasperate. Int. ...
/b/blood.htm - 54k

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