βάρος

From the study of Galatians 6:2

Range of meaning

In its basic sense the word means physical weight or heaviness. From there it stretches to a load or burden, to something oppressive or troublesome, and to a burdensome demand, claim or obligation. 1 Thessalonians 2:7 uses it of apostles 'being a burden' (claiming support). It can also carry a positive weight or importance, as in 'an eternal weight of glory' (2 Cor 4:17). BDAG gives three senses: 'weight, burden', 'claim of importance', and 'fullness'.

Against the English

English 'burden' is close. In modern speech, though, 'burden' often slides toward an emotional or relational inconvenience ('I don't want to be a burden'). The Greek keeps the physical picture of weight pressing down on someone who may not be able to stand under it.

Used elsewhere in the period

Septuagint (the Greek Old Testament): Sirach 13:2 warns, 'Do not lift a weight (baros) beyond your strength.' NT: Matthew 20:12 'borne the burden of the day and the scorching heat'. Acts 15:28 is striking: the Jerusalem leaders decide to lay 'no greater burden' on gentile believers than a few necessary things. That is exactly the question of gentiles and the Mosaic law that drives Galatians. Revelation 2:24 'I lay on you no other burden.'

From the study of Revelation 2:24

Range of meaning

Weight or heaviness; a load or burden; by extension, a demand or obligation laid on someone (Acts 15:28), the weight of hardship (2 Corinthians 4:17 turns it round to 'weight of glory'; Galatians 6:2 'bear one another's burdens'; Matthew 20:12 'the burden of the day'), and also weight in the sense of importance or authority (1 Thessalonians 2:6/7).

Against the English

'Burden' is accurate. NLT's 'I will ask nothing more of you' reads it as a requirement, which is probably right but leaves out the picture of a load.

Used elsewhere in the period

Acts 15:28, the Jerusalem decree: 'it seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay on you no greater burden (μηδὲν πλέον… βάρος) than these necessary things: abstain from what has been sacrificed to idols, from blood, from what has been strangled, and from sexual immorality'. Food offered to idols and sexual immorality are exactly the two practices Jezebel taught in Thyatira (Rev 2:20; cf. 2:14).

From the study of Acts 15:28

Range of meaning

Weight or heaviness. Figuratively it means a burden, hardship or obligation, and sometimes weight in the sense of authority or importance (1 Thess 2:7 'to be weighty'; 2 Cor 4:17 'weight of glory').

Against the English

'Burden' is accurate. Modern readers may hear an emotional burden ('a weight on my mind'). Here it is a legal and religious obligation laid on someone.

Used elsewhere in the period

Matt 23:4 uses φορτία βαρέα ('heavy loads'), laid with the same verb ἐπιτίθημι on people's shoulders. Rev 2:24, in a letter that also deals with idol food and sexual immorality (2:20), says 'I do not lay on you any other burden' (οὐ βάλλω ἐφ᾽ ὑμᾶς ἄλλο βάρος). This is widely seen as a probable echo of this decree.