Grievousness, in a biblical context, refers to the state or quality of being severe, burdensome, or causing deep sorrow and distress. It is often associated with sin, suffering, and the consequences of turning away from God's commandments. The term is used to describe both the nature of certain actions and the resulting emotional or spiritual pain.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, grievousness is frequently linked to the consequences of sin and disobedience to God's law. The prophets often spoke of the grievous nature of Israel's sins and the resulting judgment. For example, in Isaiah 1:4 , the prophet laments, "Oh, sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a brood of evildoers, children who deal corruptly! They have forsaken the LORD; they have despised the Holy One of Israel; they are utterly estranged." Here, the grievousness of the people's sin is highlighted as a heavy burden that leads to estrangement from God.

The Psalms also reflect on the grievousness of sin and its impact on the soul. In Psalm 38:4 , David cries out, "For my iniquities have overwhelmed me; they are a burden too heavy to bear." This verse captures the weight and sorrow that accompany sin, illustrating the deep personal anguish that results from transgressing God's law.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, grievousness is often associated with the trials and sufferings that believers endure. The Apostle Paul, in his letters, acknowledges the grievous nature of certain experiences but encourages believers to find hope and strength in Christ. In Hebrews 12:11 , it is written, "No discipline seems enjoyable at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it yields a harvest of righteousness and peace to those who have been trained by it." This passage suggests that while discipline and trials may be grievous, they ultimately lead to spiritual growth and righteousness.

The concept of grievousness is also present in the warnings against false teachings and the resulting spiritual harm. In Acts 20:29-30 , Paul warns the Ephesian elders, "I know that after my departure, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. Even from your own number, men will arise and distort the truth to draw away disciples after them." The grievousness here is the potential for spiritual deception and the resulting damage to the faith community.

Theological Implications

Grievousness, as depicted in the Bible, underscores the seriousness of sin and the profound impact it has on individuals and communities. It serves as a reminder of the need for repentance and the pursuit of righteousness. The Bible consistently calls believers to recognize the grievous nature of sin and to seek God's forgiveness and guidance.

Furthermore, the concept of grievousness in trials and discipline highlights the transformative power of suffering when approached with faith. Believers are encouraged to endure hardships with the understanding that God uses such experiences to refine and strengthen their character.

In summary, grievousness in the Bible is a multifaceted concept that encompasses the weight of sin, the pain of suffering, and the potential for spiritual growth through trials. It calls believers to a deeper awareness of their actions and a reliance on God's grace and mercy.

Whether Gluttony is the Greatest of Sins?
... Objection 1: It would seem that gluttony is the greatest of sins. For the grievousness
of a sin is measured by the grievousness of the punishment. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether gluttony is the greatest.htm

John Chapter xxi. 12-19.
... when set free from the body he wished to be with Christ, yet, were it only possible,
he had a desire for eternal life apart from the grievousness of death, to ...
/.../augustine/homilies on the gospel of john/tractate cxxiii john chapter xxi.htm

Hebrews i. 8-Jun
... And here he shows the grievousness of this falling away, in that it is a difficult
thing for that which hath fallen away to return again, inasmuch as it hath ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily iii hebrews i 8-jun.htm

Let those of us who are under the Rod, be Very Solicitous to ...
... a rich Equivalent. In Proportion to the Grievousness of the Stroke, should
be our Care to attend to the Design of it. Let us, now ...
/.../submission to divine providence in the death of children/4 let those of us.htm

Where the Joy Is
... to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit
of righteousness." This is what you may expect"grievousness in time of ...
//christianbookshelf.org/naylor/heart talks/talk thirty-nine where the joy.htm

"How Might any Pain be More to Me than to See Him that is all My ...
... For I understood that for tenderness of the sweet hands and of the sweet feet, by
the greatness, hardness, and grievousness of the nails the wounds waxed wide ...
/.../julian/revelations of divine love/chapter xvii how might any.htm

Letter Xlvi. To a Fallen virgin.
... "My slain men," it is said, "are not slain with the sword, nor dead in battle."
[2110] But I am bewailing the sting of the real death, the grievousness of sin ...
/.../basil/basil letters and select works/letter xlvi to a fallen.htm

To whom God's Commandments are Grievous; and to Whom, Not. Why ...
... not grievous, in order that he to whom they are grievous may understand that he
has not as yet received the gift which removes their grievousness; and that he ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter x 21 to whom gods.htm

Whether Patience is the Same as Longanimity? [*Longsuffering. It ...
... things for the sake of virtue or profit." By saying "arduous" he refers to constancy
in good; when he says "difficult" he refers to the grievousness of evil ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether patience is the same.htm

Earnest Expostulation
... but they do not know the upward road; their minds have never been enlightened by
the teachings of God's word, and hence they sin with less grievousness of fault ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 29 1883/earnest expostulation.htm

Grievousness (2 Occurrences)
...Grievousness (2 Occurrences). Isaiah 10:1 Woe unto them that decree unrighteous
decrees, and that write grievousness which they have prescribed; (KJV WBS). ...
/g/grievousness.htm - 6k

Grievously (17 Occurrences)
... trespassing a trespass") the Revised Version (British and American) "committing
a trespass"; kobhedh, "weight" (Isaiah 21:15), "grievousness"; barus, "heavy ...
/g/grievously.htm - 14k

Grind (12 Occurrences)

/g/grind.htm - 11k

Greievousness
... trespassing a trespass") the Revised Version (British and American) "committing
a trespass"; kobhedh, "weight" (Isaiah 21:15), "grievousness"; barus, "heavy ...
/g/greievousness.htm - 8k

Grievance (7 Occurrences)
... and the Revised Version (British and American) in Numbers 23:21, "perverseness in
Israel"; Isaiah 10:1, the King James Version "grievousness," the Revised ...
/g/grievance.htm - 10k

Grievous (73 Occurrences)
... trespassing a trespass") the Revised Version (British and American) "committing
a trespass"; kobhedh, "weight" (Isaiah 21:15), "grievousness"; barus, "heavy ...
/g/grievous.htm - 31k

Destructions (4 Occurrences)
... the face of destructions they fled, From the face of a stretched-out sword, And
from the face of a trodden bow, And from the face of the grievousness of battle ...
/d/destructions.htm - 7k

Prescribe (3 Occurrences)
... (See NAS). Isaiah 10:1 Woe unto them that decree unrighteous decrees, and that write
grievousness which they have prescribed; (Root in KJV DBY WBS YLT). ...
/p/prescribe.htm - 7k

Stretched-out (21 Occurrences)
... the face of destructions they fled, From the face of a stretched-out sword, And
from the face of a trodden bow, And from the face of the grievousness of battle ...
/s/stretched-out.htm - 13k

Trodden (42 Occurrences)
... the face of destructions they fled, From the face of a stretched-out sword, And
from the face of a trodden bow, And from the face of the grievousness of battle ...
/t/trodden.htm - 19k

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