Splagchnizomai

[I_Thirst]

My priest mentioned this word, found in this Sunday’s Gospel (Luke 7:11-16) in his homily at DL. It is usually translated as compassion.

Splagchnizomai comes from the Greek word for entrails, the vital inner organs of a person—the stomach, heart, lungs, spleen, liver, and kidneys. To say that Jesus had pity on the people – that he felt splagchnizomai – is really to say that he had a feeling deep in his gut, the deepest of all human emotions, that kind of feeling that is physical as much as intellectual. Jesus felt so deeply connected to these people, and he felt so deeply disturbed by where they were being led, that he had to do something.

In the West, we usually think about the mind/heart – the mind being the center of intellect and thought whereas the heart is the seat of emotion and feelings. I’m wondering if the East approaches this as heart/gut (or if there is really any distinction whatsoever). I’ve read some about the nous and I’m not sure if there is an exact way to translate this or if it even relates to this.

At any rate, a new word for me.

 

[GEddie]

My priest mentioned this word, found in this Sunday’s Gospel (Luke 7:11-16) in his homily at DL. It is usually translated as compassion.

In the West, we usually think about the mind/heart – the mind being the center of intellect and thought whereas the heart is the seat of emotion and feelings. I’m wondering if the East approaches this as heart/gut (or if there is really any distinction whatsoever). I’ve read some about the nous and I’m not sure if there is an exact way to translate this or if it even relates to this.

At any rate, a new word for me.

Nous means mind; as distinct from psyche/soul; but out West, we have a propensity to identify the mind with the soul (therefore psychology and not noology).

I’d say the key to the Greek word in your header is the physical aspect of it: it is obviously related to parts of the body and vital functioning, more personal, really, than feelings or mind; therefore involves more of one’s total being. You may be a thinking being, but you are always someBODY.

ICXC NIKA

 

[I_Thirst]

Thanks, GEddie! That really helps clarify this for me.

So by using this word in the Gospel, I’d guess that we are given further insight into Jesus Christ’s humanity?

 

[GEddie]

Thanks, GEddie! That really helps clarify this for me.

So by using this word in the Gospel, I’d guess that we are given further insight into Jesus Christ’s humanity?

I’d say exactly. HE was a human being! He felt with HIS Body; it was not just added on to HIS spirit or psyche.

ICXC NIKA!