The Bible frequently mentions the word “joy” in the Old and New Testament. What is the background for the different uses of this word?
Definition of Biblical Joy
In the Bible, joy is a state of happiness in communion with God, leading to exultation of spirit, gladness, and delight. It is a central characteristic of religious faith of the Bible, a proclamation of the saving power of God.
According to this definition, joy can relate to praise and thanksgiving in public worship, or to quiet confidence in one's spirituality.
Physical Expressions of Joy
In scripture, joy can be expressed physically. Singing, shouting, noise, uproar, instruments (the pipe, harp, trumpet, flute, or stringed instrument), a loud voice, and words describing motion (dancing, clapping, leaping, or stamping the feet) are all associated with joyful action (Exodus 4:14).
There is also joy associated with celebration. Joy can be expressed in feasting or offering sacrifice (Deuteronomy 12:12), celebrating harvest (1 Samuel 18:6), celebrating personal triumph such as the recovery of health (Psalm 31:7), or as part of public worship (Psalm 33: 1-3).
Joy From a Personal Perspective
The New Testament adds a personal dimension of joy. Joy often appears in reference to joy in God’s salvation, or the joy of eating and drinking and holding festival. Paul spoke of his “right to boast (Rom 3:27)”, which could be rephrased as “to take joy in.”
In the New Testament, there is the joy of feasts (Luke 12:19), and also a joy in God’s salvation (1 Peter 1:6). Paul uses joy in the form of “to boast or take pride in (Rom 3:27)”, to contrast man’s inclination to boast in himself with Paul’s right to boast in Christ.
Origin of Joy in Scripture
Joy in the Old Testament is only from God, not from man himself (Jeremiah 9:23). Joy is related to God’s triumph over evil, as demonstrated by the causes for celebration, such as recovery of health. The joy of the New Testament, however, is related more to a personal choice or action. God and man work together to produce the work of Heaven.
Joy in Suffering
A new concept introduced by the Christian canon of scripture is joy even in suffering, where the power of God is “made perfect in weakness (Matthew 5:12, II Corinthians 12:9).” This implies that there is something deeper to joy than what is present in the superficial, which might be the absence of pain, or the loss of self-consciousness.
Perhaps if the definition of joy includes communion with God, then joy would necessarily include the less pleasant. Empathy for others would include the joy and pain of life; an understanding of this duality offers understanding to the Biblical uses of this concept.
Sources:
- George Buttrick, The Interpreters Dictionary of the Bible (Nashville, Tennessee: Abingdon).
- The Bible, New International Version.
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