Content versus Content

Words, words, words! It’s a matter of words! So, what’s with the word “content”? It’s a simple seven-letter word that can be pronounced two different ways — emphasizing the first or second syllable — conTENT or CONtent. The emphasis indicates the meaning of the word. If my grammar is correct, the word can be a noun, adjective, or verb. As a noun, it is a state of satisfaction, more often “what’s inside.” We want to know “what’s inside” the box. As an adjective, it is a state of peaceful happiness. As a verb, it is to placate or to appease someone. I’m sure that all of us, at one time or another, were the recipients and the initiators of contentment. For our instruction as well, Paul writes to Timothy, “if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content” (1 Timothy 6:8).