Happiness in the Bible (the aftermath/the consequences)
- Phathiswa Moyo
- Jul 2, 2023
- 4 min read
Updated: Jul 11, 2023
HAPPINESS IS THE STATE OF THE HEART
HAPPINESS IS A CHOICE
SOMETIMES A CHOICE OF A COMPANY
PROTECT THE OUTCOME BY MAKING RIGHT CHOICES IN COMPANY
HAPINESS IS ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND A DECISIVE CHOICE - PSALM 118V24
SOMETIMES I CAN IN SADNESS AND REAP IN JOY
WHEN GOOD THINGS HAPPEN WE BECOME HAPPY
FINE DINING MAKES US HAPPY
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- Happiness takes many forms.
- Each conceives of happiness in its own way.
- Ashrei, a plural and construct form of the noun, literally meaning "the happinesses of ..." That word underscores the reality that happiness is not a single thing, be it a feeling, an emotion, a state of mind, or a judgment upon a life as a whole. It is many things, the sum of which is greater than the parts.
1 Timothy 6:6.
"Autarkeia" refers to a state of self-sufficiency or being content with what one has. It carries the idea of being satisfied or having inner sufficiency, regardless of external circumstances. In the context of 1 Timothy 6:6, the concept of contentment is connected with godliness, emphasizing that true gain or wealth is found in living a godly life and being satisfied with what one possesses.
In a broader sense, "autarkeia" can also be understood as a philosophical concept. In ancient Greek philosophy, it refers to a state of self-sufficiency and inner harmony, where a person is not dependent on external goods or circumstances for their well-being. It is the idea of finding fulfillment and happiness from within, rather than relying on external factors.
In the context of 1 Timothy 6:6, "autarkeia" emphasizes the importance of finding contentment and satisfaction in one's relationship with God and the pursuit of godliness, rather than seeking material wealth or possessions for fulfillment.
Ecclesiastes 2
e. Then I looked on all the works that my hands had done… indeed all was vanity and grasping for the wind: Solomon examined his life lived for pleasure – even legitimate pleasures – and saw that it too was meaningless. All was vanity. There was no enduring, eternal sense of meaning to life lived for these earthly pleasures and accomplishments.
i. “This is as modern as ennui [a feeling of dissatisfaction and uselessness] of every human soul which seeks knowledge, mirth, wealth, life – and forgets God.” (Morgan)
a. Nothing is better for a man than that he should eat and drink: This thought is prominent in Ecclesiastes, being repeated some five times. It seems that the Preacher advised us how to make the best of a bad situation. If life really is as despairing and meaningless as he has shown it to be, then we should simply accept that true meaning is impossible to find, and simply find contentment in moderate and responsible pleasures.
24 A person can do nothing better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in their own toil. This too, I see, is from the hand of God,25 for without him, who can eat or find enjoyment? 26 To the person who pleases him, God gives wisdom, knowledge and happiness, but to the sinner he gives the task of gathering and storing up wealth to hand it over to the one who pleases God. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind.
A merry heart makes a cheerful countenance, But by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.
a. A merry heart makes a cheerful countenance: If someone has happiness and joy, it should be seen on their face. They should have a cheerful countenance. i. “This cheerfulness, however, is very different from the noisy mirth of the ungodly. The word cheerful was often used by the old writers. It was Foxe’s favorite description of the holy joy of the martyrs.” (Bridges).
שָׂמֵחַ fut. יִשְׂמַת to rejoice, to be glad. (The primary idea appears to be that of a joyful and cheerful countenance, Proverbs 13:9, compare Arab. سمح to be clement, liberal, mild, see Schult. on Har. Cons. ii. p. 100; iii. p. 146; but its use is more widely extended, and it is even used for louder expressions of joy, as of those who make merry with wine, 1 Kings 4:20; Ecclesiastes 8:15 and who utter merry cries, see שִׂמְחָה No. 2, 3. The primary idea is similar of the verb נָהַר No. II. Other verbs of rejoicing prop. designate merry voices, as עָלַץ, עָלַכ, עָלַז, ἀλαλάζω, or have the force of leaping for joy, as גִּיל. And this latter is stronger than שָׂמַח, see Job 3:22.) Ecclesiastes 3:12. It is often applied to the heart, Psalms 16:9, 33:21 Proverbs 23:15 once to a light (see above, as to the primary idea), Proverbs 13:9, “the light of the righteous” יִשְׂמַח i.e. shall shine, as it were, with joyful brightness. Constr. followed by בְּ1 Samuel 2:1; Psalms 122:1 עַל Isaiah 9:16, 39:2 Jonah 4:6 מִן Proverbs 5:18 (where several MSS. have בְּ), with any thing; followed by בִּי Nehemiah 12:43 but followed by לְ specially to rejoice at another’s misfortune, or destruction, Psalms 35:19, 24 Psalms 35:24, 38:17 Isaiah 14:8; Micah 7:8. e שְׂמֵחֵי
Psalms 35:26 elsewhere שִׂמְחֵי Isaiah 24:7, etc.
Dictionary definition
a. The state of pleasurable contentment of mind; deep pleasure in or contentment with one's circumstances.
1) to be soft, be delicate, be dainty
1a) (Pual) to be delicate
1b) (Hithpael)
1b1) to be of dainty habit, be pampered
1b2) to be happy about, take exquisite delight
1b3) to make merry over, make sport of
1) happiness, blessedness
1a) often used as interjection
1b) blessed are
What is the origin of the word χαῖρε?
The first of the two passages from the Gospel of Luke is the greeting of the Angel Gabriel to Mary, originally written in Koine Greek. The opening word of greeting, χαῖρε (chaíre), here translated "hail", literally has the meaning "rejoice" or "be glad".
Greek[edit]
Pronunciation[edit]
Verb[edit]
χαίρετε • (chaírete)
2nd person plural imperfective imperative form of χαίρω (chaíro).: (literally: "rejoice, be glad")
Interjection[edit]
χαίρετε • (chaírete)
(greeting) hello (polite plural or plural)
(greeting) goodbye , farewell (polite plural or plural)
Usage notes[edit]
Synonyms[edit]
Related terms[edit]
χαίρω πολύ (chaíro polý, “pleased to meet you”)
Psalm 118:24
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