209. akólutós
Lexical Summary
akólutós: Unhindered, without hindrance

Original Word: ἀκώλυτος
Part of Speech: Adverb
Transliteration: akólutós
Pronunciation: ah-KO-loo-tos
Phonetic Spelling: (ak-o-loo'-toce)
KJV: no man forbidding him
NASB: unhindered
Word Origin: [adverb from a compound of G1 (α - Alpha) (as a negative particle) and a derivative of G2967 (κωλύω - hinder)]

1. in an unhindered manner, i.e. freely

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
without hindrance

Adverb from a compound of a (as a negative particle) and a derivative of koluo; in an unhindered manner, i.e. Freely -- no man forbidding him.

see GREEK a

see GREEK koluo

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
from alpha (as a neg. prefix) and kóluó
Definition
without hindrance
NASB Translation
unhindered (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon
STRONGS NT 209: ἀκωλύτως

ἀκωλύτως, adverb (κωλύω), without hindrance: Acts 28:31. (Plato, Epictetus, Herodian)

Topical Lexicon
Overview of Usage in the New Testament

The adverb occurs a single time in the Greek New Testament, appearing in Acts 28:31 to describe the manner of the apostle Paul’s proclamation of the gospel while under Roman custody.

Context within Acts 28:31

Acts closes with Paul residing under house arrest in Rome, guarded yet allowed visitors. Luke records that Paul was “proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance” (Acts 28:31). The word translated “without hindrance” provides a final, programmatic statement for Luke’s two-volume work. Despite opposition, imprisonment, and legal appeals, the gospel arrives in the heart of the empire unrestrained.

Historical Background: Paul in Rome

Around A.D. 60–62, Paul awaited his hearing before Caesar (Acts 25:10–12). Roman law permitted a prisoner to rent his own quarters and receive guests (Acts 28:30). Although chained to a soldier (Acts 28:20), Paul enjoyed a measure of freedom to meet Jews and Gentiles, write epistles (Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, Philemon), and expound Scripture. Luke’s closing remark underscores that neither Roman chains nor Jewish opposition could mute the apostolic witness.

Theological Significance: The Unstoppable Word

1. Fulfillment of Jesus’ commission (Acts 1:8). The gospel advances from Jerusalem to “the ends of the earth,” symbolized by Rome.
2. Sovereignty of God. Human restrictions cannot impede divine purpose: “The word of God cannot be chained” (2 Timothy 2:9).
3. Assurance to believers. The closing adverb supplies a note of triumph, confirming that the same Spirit who empowered the early church continues to overcome barriers.

Related Scriptural Parallels

2 Timothy 2:9 – Paul in a later imprisonment echoes the same truth.
Isaiah 55:11 – God’s word accomplishes what He pleases.
1 Thessalonians 2:18 – Satan may attempt to hinder, yet God overrules.

Collectively these passages form a biblical theology of the unhindered advance of God’s revelation.

Implications for Mission and Ministry

• Confidence amid opposition. Modern evangelists labor under political, cultural, or physical constraints, yet Scripture portrays such limits as ultimately powerless against the divine mandate.
• Priority of proclamation. Paul’s example reminds the church that preaching “the kingdom of God” and “the Lord Jesus Christ” remains central.
• Encouragement for those in restricted contexts. House-church leaders, prisoners, and believers in closed nations can draw strength from Acts 28:31; the gospel can flourish in living rooms, prisons, and palaces alike.

Practical Application for the Church

1. Pray expectantly for open doors (Colossians 4:3) knowing God specializes in unhindered openings.
2. Employ every lawful means—hospitality, correspondence, digital media—to communicate Christ.
3. Measure ministry success by faithfulness to the message, not by visible ease or freedom.

The lone New Testament occurrence of Strong’s 209 therefore functions as a Spirit-inspired banner over the entire missionary enterprise: the gospel of Jesus Christ goes forward unhindered.

Forms and Transliterations
ακωλυτως ακωλύτως ἀκωλύτως akolutos akōlutōs akolytos akolýtos akōlytōs akōlýtōs
Links
Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
Acts 28:31 Adv
GRK: πάσης παρρησίας ἀκωλύτως
NAS: with all openness, unhindered.
KJV: all confidence, no man forbidding him.
INT: all boldness unhinderedly

Strong's Greek 209
1 Occurrence


ἀκωλύτως — 1 Occ.

208
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