τιμωρέω

From the study of 4 Maccabees 18:5

Range of meaning

τιμωρέω means to avenge or exact retribution: punishment that pays back a wrong and restores the honour (timē) of the injured party. κολάζω first meant to prune or check, then to discipline or punish. Aristotle (Rhetoric 1.10) separates them: kolasis is for the sake of the one punished, timōria for the satisfaction of the one punishing. In Hellenistic Greek, the Greek of this period, the two often overlap and both can simply mean 'punish'.

Against the English

Brenton and the WEB use 'punished' for both, which keeps the parallel. The NRSV renders the second verb 'is being chastised'. In modern English 'chastise' suggests correction or a scolding, which fits poorly with punishment after death in a book that speaks of eternal fire.

How it drifted

Some popular explanations build on Aristotle's distinction and claim that kolazō always means corrective, remedial punishment. That distinction was not kept consistently in this period, and in 4 Maccabees kolazō is used of torture and of the tyrant's eternal fate (cf. 4 Macc 9:9; 12:12), with no hint of reform.

Used elsewhere in the period

4 Maccabees uses both word groups for divine retribution on Antiochus: 'divine justice' will pursue him (9:9; 11:3; 12:12, where he is reserved for 'more intense and eternal fire'). 2 Maccabees 9 describes his earthly punishment, with bowels eaten by worms and a body rotting while he was alive. Wisdom 11–12 and Philo use the two word groups more or less interchangeably. Matthew 25:46 uses kolasis aiōnios, 'eternal punishment'.

From the study of Acts 22:5

Range of meaning

To avenge, take vengeance for. Hence to punish, especially where punishment is seen as satisfying an offended party or vindicating violated honour (LSJ, BDAG).

Against the English

Every major version says 'punished'. The English is not wrong, but it is colourless. The Greek word leans toward retribution: punishment that pays back an offence.

Used elsewhere in the period

Aristotle (Rhetoric 1.10, 1369b) distinguishes two kinds of punishment. 'Kolasis' is for the sake of the one who suffers it, to correct him. 'Timōria' is for the sake of the one who inflicts it, to satisfy him. Later writers did not always keep the distinction strictly. In the New Testament the verb appears only here and in Acts 26:11 ('I punished them often in all the synagogues'), and the noun in Heb 10:29. 4 Maccabees uses 'timōria' repeatedly for the tortures inflicted on faithful Jews.

From the study of Acts 26:11

Range of meaning

To punish or penalise. In classical Greek it also means to avenge or take vengeance for someone. It is used of judicial penalties.

Against the English

'Punish' is accurate but bloodless. It does not tell modern readers that the penalty was most likely flogging, carried out by the synagogue's own officers.

Used elsewhere in the period

In the NT it appears only here and in Acts 22:5. The parallel account (Acts 22:19) says 'in synagogue after synagogue I imprisoned and beat (derōn) those who believed'. Jesus foresaw 'they will flog you in their synagogues' (Matt 10:17; Mark 13:9). Paul himself later received 'forty lashes less one' five times from Jews (2 Cor 11:24; cf. Deut 25:3; Mishnah Makkot 3).