"an inciting, incitement, Heb. 10:24; a sharp fit of anger, sharp contention, angry dispute, Acts 15:39*"
Definition and meaning
an inciting, incitement, Heb. 10:24; a sharp fit of anger, sharp contention, angry dispute, Acts 15:39*
In the original Greek the word is written: παροξυσμός
Historical context
The Roman Empire provided infrastructure no previous civilization had built — roads, sea routes, a common language in Greek, and relative peace across the Mediterranean. Jewish synagogues existed in every major city, giving Paul a starting point everywhere he traveled. The early church had no buildings, no political power, no social standing — and spread faster than any movement in ancient history.
The people who first heard this word were not reading a book — they were living through empires, oppression, exile, and covenant. Every word carried the weight of that reality. Understanding it changes how you read Scripture.
Scripture references
These are the most notable occurrences of paroxysmos (G3948) across the King James Bible.
And the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other: and so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus;
And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:
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Common questions
Strong's G3948 (paroxysmos) is a Greek word that means: an inciting, incitement, Heb. 10:24; a sharp fit of anger, sharp contention, angry dispute, Acts 15:39* It appears 2 times in the King James Bible.
The word paroxysmos (G3948) appears 2 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G3948 is paroxysmos, a Greek word defined as: an inciting, incitement, Heb. 10:24; a sharp fit of anger, sharp contention, angry dispute, Acts 15:39*. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
paroxysmos is a Greek word found in the New Testament.