στενοχωρία (sten-okh-o-ree'-ah): Distress in the straits of life—confronted, processed & transformed

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Note: This word study follows the concluding line of the post on the “Anti-virtue of Humility,” which concludes with the words of a long time family medicine physician, “I wonder if our greatest weapon is our own weakness and our greatest weakness is our own pride.”

στενοχωρία

Etymology & Definition

From στενός (narrow, strait, cf. Mt 8:13-14) + χώρα (the space lying between two places or limits)-> Distress, anguish

4x in the NT

Summary Synthesis

The pressures and straits of life that for the unknown redeemed are foretastes of the coming judgment; yet for the regenerate in Christ these reveal to us the reality of our weakness which then becomes precisely the means by which Christ’s strength (δύναμις) can be manifest.

Detailed Analysis

The first occurrence refers to the “tribulation (θλῖψις) and anguish” (στενοχωρία) upon the “soul of every man that does (κατεργαζομένου) evil”  (Rom 2:9). This combination of words is again used in the 8th chapter of Romans. Here, however, it comes in the context, not of judgment, but of the grace and covenant mercy of God which covers His people. This being the defining reality, Paul then declares that “nothing shall separate us from the love of Christ”, neither tribulation (θλῖψις) nor distress (στενοχωρία), neither persecution, nor famine, neither nakedness, nor peril, nor sword (Rom 8:35). That is to say, there is no extremity in life or in death, no intensity of distress or anguish that can separate us from the love of our Savior. 

The next occurrence bears this assured reality out in the pathway of the Christian life as trials come upon believers, and specifically ministers of the Gospel. In this testing, therefore, they can “commend” themselves (συνιστώντες ἑαυτοὺς), “in much patience (ἐν ὑπομονῇ πολλῇ) in afflictions (ἐν θλίψεσιν) in necessities (ἐν ἀνάγκαις) in distresses (ἐν στενοχωρίαις, II Cor 6:4). 

Not only can they endure but they can, as we will see in the final instance, come to a point where they actually rejoice in them. In Paul’s “thorn in the flesh,” which we plead with the Lord three times that it might depart (παρεκάλεσα ἵνα ἀποστῇ), the Lord speaks to him.

“My grace is sufficient for you (Ἀρκεῖ σοι ἡ χάρις μου), for My strength is made perfect in weakness” (ἡ γὰρ δύναμις ἐν ἀσθενείᾳ τελεῖται, II Cor 12:9a). 

And as Paul processes this reality of grace on deeper and deeper levels, he comes to say, “Therefore most gladly I will rather boast (ἥδιστα οὖν μᾶλλον καυχήσομα) in my infirmities (ἐν ταῖς ἀσθενείαις) that the power of Christ may rest upon me” (ἐπ’ ἐμὲ ἡ δύναμις τοῦ Χριστοῦ, 12:9b)

And even further, 

“Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities (διὸ εὐδοκῶ ἐν ἀσθενείαις), in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses (ἐν στενοχωρίαις), for Christ’s sake (ὑπὲρ Χριστοῦ, 12:10a).

Why?

For when I am weak (ὅταν γὰρ ἀσθενῶ) then I am strong (τότε δυνατός εἰμι, 12:10b).