Sorrow [nave]
SORROWGod takes notice of Hagar's, Gen. 21:17-20; Israelites, Ex. 3:7-10.
For sin, 2 Cor. 7:10, 11.
See: Repentance; Sin, Confession of.
No sorrow in heaven, Rev. 21:4.
"Sorrow and sighing shall flee away,'' Isa. 35:10.
Of Haah, 1 Sam. 1:15.
Of David for Absalom, 2 Sam. 18:33; 19:1-8.
Of Mary and Martha, John 11:19-40.
Jeremiah, Lam. 1:12.
Jesus, Isa. 53:11; Matt. 26:37-44; Mark 14:34-42; Luke 22:42-44.
From bereavement: Of Jacob for Joseph, Gen. 37:34, 35; for Benjamin, Gen. 43:14.
Of the lost, Matt. 8:12; 13:42, 50; 22:13; 24:51; 25:30; Luke 13:28; 16:23.
See: Wicked, Punishment of.
See: Affliction, Benefits of, Consolation in, Design of, Resignation in; Suffering.
SORROW [isbe]
SORROW - sor'-o (chebhel, yaghon, makh'obh, etc.; lupe): The Old Testament has very many words translated "sorrow," those named being the most frequent; in the New Testament "sorrow" is usually the translation of lupe (Lk 22:45; Jn 16:6; 2 Cor 2:3,7, etc.). Penthos, translated "sorrow" in Rev 18:7; 21:4, is in the Revised Version (British and American) "mourning." Odune, of pain-and distress, is thus rendered in Rom 9:2; 1 Tim 6:10 (compare the verb in Lk 2:48; Acts 20:38). the Revised Version (British and American) frequently gives a more literal rendering of the words used, as "toil" (Gen 3:17), "pangs" (Ex 15:14), "pining" (Dt 28:65), "distress" (Isa 5:30), "lamentation" (Isa 29:2), etc.; sometimes also it uses "sorrow" for other words, as for "grief" (2 Ch 6:29; Ps 31:10; 69:26; etc.; 2 Cor 2:5), "heaviness" (Rom 9:2; 2 Cor 2:1).Sorrow or grief is necessary for discipline, for the development of the finer feelings and higher nature of the soul and spirit (Eccl 7:3, "Sorrow is better than laughter; for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made glad," margin "better"). Sorrow inevitably follows sin, and is its punishment, yet the righteous are not exempt from it. The "Servant of Yahweh" was "a man of sorrows" (Isa 53:3). Christians learn how to be "sorrowful, yet always rejoicing" (2 Cor 6:10; 7:4; Col 1:24; 1 Thess 1:6; etc.). In the New Jerusalem it is predicted that there shall be no sorrow, for sorrow shall have done its work, and the first things have passed away (Rev 21:4).
W. L. Walker
SORROW [bridgeway]
Sorrow is one of the consequences of sin in the world. This does not mean that personal sorrow is always a consequence of personal sin; it means that sorrow occurs because of the damage sin has done in human society. Jesus was sorrowful because of what sin had done to the people of Jerusalem (Matt 23:37). He was sorrowful also because of what it had done to human relationships by bringing death and its consequent grief (John 11:33-36). But by his death and resurrection he conquered death and gave sorrowing believers hope (Rom 6:5-10,23; 8:31-37). The triumphant resurrection of Jesus guarantees the triumphant resurrection of all who believe in him (John 11:25-26; Rom 8:10-11; 1 Cor 15:20-23; see RESURRECTION).Like Jesus, Christians sorrow because of the death of those they love; but they do not sorrow as unbelievers, who have nothing to look forward to beyond death (1 Thess 4:13-18; 5:9-11). Just as Jesus’ resurrection changed the original disciples’ sorrow to joy, so it gives joy to believers of all generations; and nothing, not even grief, can take that joy from them (John 16:20,22; Rom 8:38-39; Phil 3:21; 4:1,4-7; see JOY). The Christians’ expressions of sorrow are therefore not the unrestrained demonstrations of grief that characterize those who have no hope in Christ (see FUNERAL).
Besides death, there are many troubles and sufferings in life that are likely to produce sorrow. Christians should not allow themselves to be overcome by such problems, but should turn them into experiences of learning and training that can help them become stronger Christians (James 1:2-4,12; 1 Peter 1:6-9; 4:12-14,19; see SUFFERING; TESTING). Christians are to be sympathetic to those who are downhearted because of their trials, and do all they can to help them triumph through them (Rom 12:15; see ENCOURAGEMENT).
Those who refuse to trust in God may find that sorrow can have a destructive effect on their lives. Even sorrow for wrongdoing, if it is no more than shame or self-pity, can have deadly results (Matt 27:3-5). But if people submit to God, see their wrongdoing as God sees it and ask God to forgive them, their sorrow will soon be replaced by joy (Matt 5:4; Luke 7:38-39; 2 Cor 7:9-10; James 4:9-10; cf. Ezra 9:6,13,15). This will be a foretaste of the greater joy that will come in the new heavens and new earth, when sorrow will be banished for ever (Isa 65:17-19; Rev 7:17; 21:4).
