Pathema denotes sufferings endured in connection with Christ, hardship, or the flesh’s passions in Scripture.

The term most often denotes sufferings associated with Christ and shared by those connected with him; it also marks endured affliction and, in two clauses concerning the flesh, passions or desires directed toward death.

1. Sufferings associated with Christ · dominant

   Plural forms occur in clauses concerning Christ’s sufferings and participation in them. In 2 Corinthians 1:5 the APB renders a comparison in which Christ’s sufferings abound alongside encouragement, while 1 Peter 4:13 renders participation in Christ’s sufferings together with rejoicing at the revelation of glory. Hebrews 2:9 and Hebrews 2:10 place the singular and plural forms in statements about death and being brought to glory through sufferings.

   2 Corinthians 1:52 Corinthians 1:71 Peter 1:111 Peter 4:13Hebrews 2:9Hebrews 2:10
2. Hardships endured or faced · common

   The plural forms describe afflictions borne in experience rather than explicitly naming Christ as their modifier. In 2 Timothy 3:11 the APB renders persecutions and sufferings that came upon the speaker and were endured; Hebrews 10:32 renders a hard struggle with sufferings. Romans 8:18 sets present sufferings against glory about to be revealed.

   2 Timothy 3:11Hebrews 10:32Romans 8:181 Peter 5:9
3. Passions of the flesh · occasional

   In Romans 7:5, the nominative plural occurs in the clause about passions of sins at work in bodily members to bear fruit for death. Galatians 5:24 likewise places the dative plural with the flesh’s passions and desires in the statement that the flesh has been crucified.

   Romans 7:5Galatians 5:24

In the Anselm Project Bible: Across most cited clauses, the APB uses “sufferings,” including sufferings of Christ and hardships endured. In Romans 7:5 and Galatians 5:24 it instead uses “passions”; These renderings indicate the clauses’ presentation rather than a fixed English equivalent.