Sorrow

Bridgeway Bible Dictionary

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 ( Matthew 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 ( Romans 6:5-10;  Romans 6:23;  Romans 8:31-37). The triumphant resurrection of Jesus guarantees the triumphant resurrection of all who believe in him ( John 11:25-26;  Romans 8:10-11;  1 Corinthians 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 Thessalonians 4:13-18;  1 Thessalonians 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;  John 16:22;  Romans 8:38-39;  Philippians 3:21;  Philippians 4:1;  Philippians 4:4-7; 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;  James 1:12;  1 Peter 1:6-9;  1 Peter 4:12-14;  1 Peter 4:19; 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 ( Romans 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 ( Matthew 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 ( Matthew 5:4;  Luke 7:38-39;  2 Corinthians 7:9-10;  James 4:9-10; cf.  Ezra 9:6;  Ezra 9:13;  Ezra 9:15). 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 ( Isaiah 65:17-19;  Revelation 7:17;  Revelation 21:4).

Charles Buck Theological Dictionary

Uneasiness or grief, arising from the privation of some good we actually possessed. It is the oposite to joy. Though sorrow may be allowable under a sense of sin, and when involved in troubles, yet we must beware of an extreme. Sorrow, indeed, becomes sinful and excessive when it leads us to slight our mercies; causes us to be insensible to public evils; when it diverts us from duty; so oppresses our bodies as to endanger our lives; sours the spirit with discontent, and makes us inattentive to the precepts of God's word, and advice of our friends. In order to moderate our sorrows, we should consider that we are under the direction of a wise and merciful Being; that he permits no evil to come upon us without a gracious design; that he can make our troubles sources of spiritual advantage; that he might have afflicted us in a far greater degree; that, though he has taken some, yet he has left many other comforts; that he has given many promises of relief: thet he has supported thousands in as great troubles as ours: and, finally, that the time is coming when he will wipe away all tears, and give to them that love him a crown of glory that fadeth not away.

See Resignation

Holman Bible Dictionary

 Psalm 13:2 Genesis 3:16-19 Amos 4:6-12 Joel 2:12-13 Hosea 6:6

The Greek word for sorrow is usually lupe. It means “grief, sorrow, pain of mind or spirit, affliction.” Paul distinguished between godly and worldly sorrow ( 2 Corinthians 7:8-11 ). Sorrow can lead a person to a deeper faith in God; or it can cause a person to live with regret, centered on the experience that caused the sorrow. Jesus gave believers words of hope to overcome trouble, distress, and sorrow: “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” ( John 16:33 NIV).

Webster's Dictionary

(1): ( n.) To feel pain of mind in consequence of evil experienced, feared, or done; to grieve; to be sad; to be sorry.

(2): ( n.) The uneasiness or pain of mind which is produced by the loss of any good, real or supposed, or by diseappointment in the expectation of good; grief at having suffered or occasioned evil; regret; unhappiness; sadness.

King James Dictionary

SOR'ROW, n. The uneasiness or pain of mind which is produced by the loss of any good. or of frustrated hopes of good, or expected loss of happiness to grieve to be sad. I rejoice not that ye were made sorry, but the ye sorrowed to repentance.  1 Corinthians 7 . Sorrowing most of all for the words which be spoke, that they should see his face no more.  Acts 20 .

Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament

See Repentance, Grief.

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

sor´ō ( חבל , ḥēbhel , יגון , yāghōn , מכאוב , makh'ōbh , etc.; λύπη , lúpē ): 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 lúpē (  Luke 22:45;  John 16:6;  2 Corinthians 2:3 ,  2 Corinthians 2:7 , etc.). Pénthos , translated "sorrow" in  Revelation 18:7;  Revelation 21:4 , is in the Revised Version (British and American) "mourning." Odúnē , of pain-and distress, is thus rendered in  Romans 9:2;  1 Timothy 6:10 (compare the verb in   Luke 2:48;  Acts 20:38 ). the Revised Version (British and American) frequently gives a more literal rendering of the words used, as "toil" ( Genesis 3:17 ), "pangs" ( Exodus 15:14 ), "pining" ( Deuteronomy 28:65 ), "distress" ( Isaiah 5:30 ), "lamentation" ( Isaiah 29:2 ), etc.; sometimes also it uses "sorrow" for other words, as for "grief" ( 2 Chronicles 6:29;  Psalm 31:10;  Psalm 69:26; etc.;  2 Corinthians 2:5 ), "heaviness" ( Romans 9:2;  2 Corinthians 2:1 ).

Sorrow or grief is necessary for discipline, for the development of the finer feelings and higher nature of the soul and spirit ( Ecclesiastes 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" ( Isaiah 53:3 ). Christians learn how to be "sorrowful, yet always rejoicing" ( 2 Corinthians 6:10;  2 Corinthians 7:4;  Colossians 1:24;  1 Thessalonians 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 ( Revelation 21:4 ).

Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature

(representing in the A.V. many Hebrew and several Greek words), mental pain or grief, arising from the privation of some good we actually possessed. It is the opposite to joy. This passion contracts the heart, sinks the spirit, and injures the health. Scripture cautions against it ( Proverbs 25:20; Ecclesiastes 14:13; 30:24, 25;  1 Thessalonians 4:13, etc.), but Paul distinguishes two sorts of sorrow — one a godly, the other a worldly sorrow ( 2 Corinthians 7:10): "Godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation, not to be repented of; but the sorrow of the world worketh death." So the wise man ( Ecclesiastes 7:3) says that the grave and serious air of a master who reproves is more profitable than the laughter and caresses of those who flatter. Our Lord upbraided that counterfeit air of sorrow and mortification which the Pharisees affected when they fasted, and cautioned his disciples against all such affectation which proposes to gain the approbation of men ( Matthew 6:16). (See Grief).

Though sorrow may be allowable under a sense of sin, and when involved in troubles, yet we must beware of an extreme. Sorrow, indeed, becomes sinful and excessive when it leads us to slight our mercies, causes us to be insensible to public evils; when it diverts us from duty, so oppresses our bodies as to endanger our lives, sours the spirit with discontent, and makes us inattentive to the precepts of God's Word and to the advice of our friends. In order to moderate our sorrows, we should consider that we are under the direction of a wise and merciful Being; that he permits no evil to come upon us without a gracious design;. that he can make our troubles sources of spiritual advantage; that he might have afflicted us in a far greater degree; that though he has taken some, yet he has left many other comforts; that he has given many promises of relief; that he has supported thousands in as great troubles as ours; finally, that the time is coming when he will wipe away all tears, and give to them that love him a crown of glory that fadeth not away. (See Resignation).