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G1422 · Greek · New Testament
δύσκολος
Dyskolos
Adjective
Difficult, hard

Definition

The Greek adjective dyskolos means hard or difficult — originally used of difficult-to-please people (literally 'hard with food'), it came to mean generally troublesome or hard. In the New Testament it appears famously in Jesus' teaching about wealth and the kingdom.

Usage & Theological Significance

Jesus uses dyskolos in Mark 10:24 — 'How hard (dyskolos) it is to enter the kingdom of God!' — in the context of the rich young ruler. The accumulation of wealth creates a spiritual difficulty not of external compulsion but of inner attachment and trust. Where one's treasure is, there the heart will be also. The disciples' astonishment at Jesus' words reveals how counterintuitive the kingdom economy truly is.

Key Bible Verses

Mark 10:24 And the disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said to them again, 'Children, how difficult (dyskolos) it is to enter the kingdom of God!'
Mark 10:23 Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, 'How difficult it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!'
Luke 18:24 Jesus, seeing that he had become sad, said, 'How difficult it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!'
Matthew 19:23 And Jesus said to his disciples, 'Truly, I say to you, only with difficulty will a rich person enter the kingdom of heaven.'
1 Timothy 6:17 As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches.

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