Hindered (thwart) (1465) egkopto/enkopto

Hindered (thwarted) (1465)(egkopto/enkopto from en = in + kópto = cut down, strike) strictly means to knock or cut into, to impede one's course by cutting off his way; and hence to hinder, impede, thwart or interrupt. It means to make progress slow or difficult. It can also convey the idea of delay (see below on Acts 24:4) As illustrated in the verses below the NT uses always have a spiritual connotation - Paul's course hindered here and (R 15:22), the progress of the gospel hindered (1Cor 9:22), the walk of Christians hindered (Gal 5:7) and the ascension of prayer by a husband who mistreats his wife (1Peter 3:7) In classic Greek egkopto was a military term meaning to cut in on, throw obstacles in the way of, or cut up the road so that normal movement was impossible. The road was so cut into and broken up that travel was blocked. In secular Greek there egkopto is used in the context of interrupting (koluo) and thus hindering the progress of a discussion. MacArthur explains that egkopto is a military term referring to digging a trench or breaking up a road. One of the countermeasures an ancient army would take against the opposition was to dig a massive trench that would prevent enemy troops from reaching its men. Another way to frustrate the enemy’s progress would be to tear up a brick or stone road so that he could not traverse it. Thus Paul depicted the powerful devil as supernaturally obstructing the apostle’s strong desire to revisit Thessalonica. (MacArthur, John: 1 & 2 Thessalonians. Moody Press or Logos) In sum, egkopto means to interfere with the activity or progress of something, the word hindered stressing harmful and/or annoying delay or interference. Marvin Vincent comments that egkopto... means, literally, to knock in; make an incision into; and hence, generally, to hinder or thwart (Gal 5:7; 1Thess 2:18). TDNT notes that the word group (egkope and egkopto) originally derived their main sense from the idea of an... "obstacle" (“conceit is an obstacle to progress”) or “to impede,” “to arrest” from the military practice of making slits in the street to hold up a pursuing enemy. Hence the basic meaning is “to block the way.” By derivation only a temporary hold-up is suggested, in contrast to → proskomma (see word study), and this may still be discerned in NT usage, cf. Ro 15:22-note… But later the distinction faded... and even in the NT the thought of a definitive obstacle predominates, and the term is used in the metaphor of running on the race-track (cf. esp. Gal 5:7 [see below] but the same image lies behind 1Th 2:18 and Romans 15:22. (Kittel, G., Friedrich, G., & Bromiley, G. W. Theological Dictionary of the New Testament. Eerdmans) Egkopto is found 5 times in the NT (no uses in the Septuagint - LXX)... Acts 24:4 "But, that I may not weary (also translated "impose on", "that I may not further hinder thee or detain") you any further, I beg you to grant us, by your kindness, a brief hearing. (Comment: UBS note says "I do want to take up too much of your time is understood in this same fashion by most other translations, though it is faintly possible that the meaning may be “I do not want to tire you out.” Ancient orators, as well as modern, felt it advisable to promise their hearers only a short speech. - The United Bible Societies' New Testament Handbook Series or Logos) Romans 15:22 (note) For this reason I have often been hindered (imperfect tense = pictures action occurring over and over) from coming to you; (Comment: The imperfect tense of egkopto indicates continuation, and the passive voice indicates that the cause was from an outside source. God was still in control and for some reason Paul was continually prevented from coming to the church at Rome) Galatians 5:7 You were running well; who hindered you from obeying the truth? 1Thessalonians 2:18 For we wanted to come to you-- I, Paul, more than once-- and yet Satan thwarted us. 1 Peter 3:7 (note) You husbands likewise, live with your wives in an understanding way, as with a weaker vessel, since she is a woman; and grant her honor as a fellow heir of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered. Stedman writes that... Already in this chapter we have seen three sources of opposition to the apostle: Opposition from the state (1Th 2:2-note) Opposition from society (1Th 2:14-note) and Opposition from Satan (1Th 2:18-note) While this might look like three enemies, it is really only one. Other Scriptures indicate that the state and society are often the channels of the devil's attempts to hinder the spread of the good Word of God. This is what Paul was encountering here. Have you ever experienced a frustrating time in your own life when again and again you tried to do something you knew was right and found it hard going? You met opposition and hindrance, perhaps even from your own family. That is Satanic hindrance, the psychological manipulation of minds to arouse opposition and plant obstacles in your path. (1Thessalonians 2:17-3:13: Father's Joy) ><> ><> ><> Spurgeon - Morning and Evening - Since the first hour in which goodness came into conflict with evil, it has never ceased to be true in spiritual experience, that Satan hinders us. From all points of the compass, all along the line of battle, in the vanguard and in the rear, at the dawn of day and in the midnight hour, Satan hinders us. If we toil in the field, he seeks to break the ploughshare; if we build the wall, he labours to cast down the stones; if we would serve God in suffering or in conflict-everywhere Satan hinders us. He hinders us when we are first coming to Jesus Christ. Fierce conflicts we had with Satan when we first looked to the cross and lived. Now that we are saved, he endeavours to hinder the completeness of our personal character. You may be congratulating yourself, "I have hitherto walked consistently; no man can challenge my integrity." Beware of boasting, for your virtue will yet be tried; Satan will direct his engines against that very virtue for which you are the most famous. If you have been hitherto a firm believer, your faith will ere long be attacked; if you have been meek as Moses, expect to be tempted to speak unadvisedly with your lips. The birds will peck at your ripest fruit, and the wild boar will dash his tusks at your choicest vines. Satan is sure to hinder us when we are earnest in prayer. He checks our importunity, and weakens our faith in order that, if possible, we may miss the blessing. Nor is Satan less vigilant in obstructing Christian effort. There was never a revival of religion without a revival of his opposition. As soon as Ezra and Nehemiah begin to labour, Sanballat and Tobiah are stirred up to hinder them. What then? We are not alarmed because Satan hindereth us, for it is a proof that we are on the Lord's side, and are doing the Lord's work, and in his strength we shall win the victory, and triumph over our adversary. 1Thessalonians 2:19 For who is our hope or joy or crown of exultation? Is it not even you, in the presence of our Lord Jesus at His coming? (NASB: Lockman) Greek: tis gar hemon elpis e chara e stephanos kaucheseos e ouchi kai humeis emprosthen tou kuriou hemon Iesou en te autou parousia? Amplified: For what is our hope or happiness or our victor’s wreath of exultant triumph when we stand in the presence of our Lord Jesus at His coming? Is it not you? (Amplified Bible - Lockman) NLT: After all, what gives us hope and joy, and what is our proud reward and crown? It is you! Yes, you will bring us much joy as we stand together before our Lord Jesus when he comes back again. (NLT - Tyndale House) Phillips: Yet who could take your place as our hope and joy and pride when Jesus comes? Who but you, as you will stand before him at his coming? (Phillips: Touchstone) Wuest: For what is our hope or joy or victor's laurel wreath of glorying? Are not even you yourselves such in the presence of our Lord Jesus at His coming? (Eerdmans) Young's Literal: for what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? are not even ye before our Lord Jesus Christ in his presence? FOR WHO IS OUR HOPE OR JOY OR CROWN OF EXULTATION? IS IT NOT EVEN YOU, IN THE PRESENCE OF OUR LORD JESUS AT HIS COMING: tis gar hemon elpis e chara e stephanos kaucheseos e ouchi kai humeis emprosthen tou kuriou hemon Iesou en te autou parousia: (2Corinthians 1:14; Philippians 2:16; 4:1) (Proverbs 4:9; 12:4; 16:13; 17:6; Isaiah 62:3; 1Peter 5:4; Revelation 4:10,11) (1Th 2:20; Romans 15:16, 17, 18, 19) (1Th 3:13; 5:23; 1Corinthians 4:5; 15:23; 2Corinthians 1:14; Philippians 2:16; 4:1; 2Thessalonians 1:7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12; 2:1; 1Timothy 6:14,15; 2Timothy 4:1,2; Titus 2:13; 1John 2:28) (Jude 1:24 ) (Revelation 1:7; 22:12) Wiersbe comments that... Paul did not look back and give in to regret and remorse. Instead, he looked ahead and rejoiced. For the Christian, the best is yet to come. Paul looked ahead by faith and saw his friends in the presence of Jesus Christ in glory. In times of trouble and testing, it is important that we take the long view of things. Paul lived in the future tense, as well as in the present. His actions were governed by what God would do in the future. He knew that Jesus Christ would return and reward him for his faithful ministry; and on that day, the saints from Thessalonica would bring glory to God and joy to Paul’s heart. As the familiar song says, “It will be worth it all, when we see Jesus.” The fact that we shall one day stand at the Judgment Seat of Christ (see bema) ought to motivate us to be faithful in spite of difficulties. We must remember that faithfulness is the important thing (1Cor. 4:2). At the Judgment Seat of Christ, our works will be judged and rewards will be given (Ro 14:10, 11, 12-note; 1Cor. 4:1, 2, 3, 4, 5; 2Cor 5:9-note, 2Co 5:10-note). (Wiersbe, W: Bible Exposition Commentary. 1989. Victor or Logos)

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Hindered (thwart) (1465) egkopto/enkopto

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