[Greek] κάμνω (kamnō), [Latin] fatigare, [Latin] infirmum, [Latin] patientiam: to be sick, to become discouraged, to grow weary, to tire; Heb.12:3, Jas.5:15, Rev.2:3
Extreme Unction: painting by Nicolas Poussin (1638)
Background information:
Extreme Unction (painting by Nicolas Poussin): This artist is considered the greatest classical French painter of the 17th century. This scene depicts a dying man being anointed with oil in accordance with the rites of the Catholic faith. This artist draws upon his extensive study of costumes, setting, light, and shadow in bringing out the full depth of emotions in this scene of death. This painting addresses and confronts the universal message of human mortality.
Greek Hellenism: This term means to labor, to be weary, to grow tired, to be sick, to suffer, to be distressed, to be hard pressed, and to be outworn.
Homer’s Iliad 1.168: I have worn myself out in fighting.
Homer’s Odyssey 10.31: Upon me can sweet sleep in my weariness.
Thucydides’ The Peloponnesian War 2.41: Be ready to suffer in her cause.
Homer’s Odyssey 12.232: My eyes grew weary.
Aeschylus’ Eumenides 881: Grow tired of telling you good things.
Plato’s Gorgias 470c: Grow weary in well-doing.
Sophocles’ Philoctetes 282: The sickness that afflicted me.
Euripides’ Heradiedae 990: Hera caused me to suffer this disease.
Herodotus’ The Histories 1.118: I was greatly afflicted.
Homer’s Odyssey 11.476: The phantom of men outworn.
Old Testament: This term means to loathe, to loathe oneself, to detest, to be grieved, and to cut off hope. Whose confidence is fragile, and whose trust a spider’s web (Job 8:14). For forty years I loathed that generation (Psa.95:10). There you will remember your ways and all your deeds with which you have defiled yourselves; and you will loathe yourselves in your own sight for all the evil things that you have done (Eze.20:43).
New Testament: This term means being sick, being discouraged, and being weary. The book of Hebrews points out that Christ endured suffering and the cross, so that we may not grow weary. The prayer of faith will save the sick person. Prayer and anointing are physical and spiritual remedies for the forgiveness of sins. In Revelations, the letter to Ephesus praises the Ephesians for their works and virtues discerning false teachers. But this letter also admonishes them to repent and return to their former ways.
Scripture:
“And the prayer of faith will save the sick person, and the Lord will raise him up. If he has committed any sins, he will be forgiven.” Jas.5:15
Prayer and anointing become spiritual and physical health for sinners.
“Consider how He endured such opposition from sinners, in order that you may not grow weary and lose heart.” Heb.12:3
Christ endured suffering and the Cross so that we may not become weary.
Conclusion:
Fatigue, infirm, patient, patience
In Greek Hellenism, it was interesting to discover that this term can be used in various situations and contexts. We all can relate to getting tired (weary) from some activity. Thucydides makes reference to suffering (fighting) for a noble cause. It is also interesting that there are multiple references of being tired of doing good for others. This is quite fascinating in that Jesus would also say this same thing. Hades is the place where dead men have been outworn.
In the Old Testament, this term takes on a more narrow sense of loathing (others or oneself) and detesting (others or oneself). A more nuanced meaning refers to cutting off one’s hope (Job).
In the New Testament, Christ endured suffering and the cross so that we may not become weary. Jas. 5:13 becomes the scriptural basis for the sacrament of anointing. On November 4, 1551, the Council of Trent declared this is as a sacrament initiated by Christ.
I myself now grow weary but yet never grow tired in making these posts!