Lexical Summary parotrunó: To provoke, to incite, to stir up Original Word: παροτρύνω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance stir up. From para and otruno (to spur); to urge along, i.e. Stimulate (to hostility) -- stir up. see GREEK para NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom para and otrunó (to spur) Definition to urge on, to stir up NASB Translation incited (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 3951: παροτρύνωπαροτρύνω: 1 aorist παρωτρυνα; (ὀτρύνω to stir up (cf. παρά, IV. 3)); to incite, stir up: τινα, Acts 13:50. (Pindar Ol. 3, 68; Josephus, Antiquities 7, 6, 1; Lucian, deor. concil 4.) Topical Lexicon Scope of the Word in Scripture Strong’s Greek 3951 occurs a single time in the New Testament. It describes the deliberate action by which a group is prompted, pushed, or manipulated to take hostile steps. Because of its rarity, the word draws attention to the singular moment Luke chose to highlight in the record of the early Church. Biblical Occurrence Acts 13:50: “But the Jews incited the God-fearing women of high standing and the leading men of the city. They stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas and drove them out of their district.” Historical Setting in Acts Paul and Barnabas are midway through the first missionary journey. After preaching in the synagogue of Pisidian Antioch, the apostles see large crowds gather on the following Sabbath (Acts 13:44). Jealousy arises among certain Jews who feel their influence diminishing. Rather than refuting the gospel directly, they marshal social and political pressure by persuading respected Gentile women and local civic leaders. The choice of these particular influencers is striking: • Prominent women—often patrons of religious or civic causes in Roman colonies—could sway households and networks quickly. The incitement therefore weaponized existing authority structures to silence the gospel while appearing orderly and lawful. Theological Themes 1. Opposition as Catalyst Throughout Acts, resistance regularly propels the missionary band to new regions (Acts 8:1, Acts 14:5-7). The lone use of this verb underscores how calculated hostility cannot thwart but actually spreads the word (Acts 13:51-52). 2. Human Agency and Divine Sovereignty While Luke records the instigators’ strategy, he also notes that “the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit” (Acts 13:52). God’s providence encompasses both the stirrings of adversaries and the perseverance of His servants. 3. Influence and Responsibility The passage exposes the moral weight of using influence. When leaders leverage social capital to obstruct truth, they become accountable for the response they provoke (compare 1 Kings 21:25; Matthew 27:20). Comparison with Related Biblical Concepts • Positive stirring: “Your zeal has stirred up most of them” (2 Corinthians 9:2). Here, believers are urged toward generosity, showing that rousing others can be holy or harmful depending on motive and message. Practical Ministry Applications 1. Discern Sources of Opposition Hostility may arise not merely from ideas but from threatened status. Understanding the social dynamics behind resistance can guide prayer and strategy. 2. Guard Hearts Against Manipulation Believers must resist being swayed by reputation alone. Berean-like examination (Acts 17:11) protects congregations from being mobilized against the very work of God. 3. Respond with Persistence and Joy Paul and Barnabas “shook the dust off their feet” (Acts 13:51) and continued their mission. Opposition is met, not with retaliation, but with resilience rooted in the Spirit. 4. Use Influence for Edification Christian leaders and lay believers alike are called to “consider how to spur one another on to love and good deeds” (Hebrews 10:24), employing their platforms to advance, not hinder, the gospel. Resonance with Church History From first-century synagogue politics to modern cultural currents, calculated incitement remains a common tactic against gospel proclamation. Yet each wave of suppression has often resulted in fresh advance—whether in the scattering of early believers, the expansion of underground churches, or the spread of digital evangelism where traditional venues are closed. Summary Insight The lone New Testament usage of Strong’s Greek 3951 sharpens our awareness of the subtle and strategic forms opposition can take. While adversaries may stir society against Christ’s messengers, the narrative of Acts assures believers that the purposes of God will advance, His servants will be sustained, and His word will not be bound. Forms and Transliterations παρωτρυναν παρώτρυναν parotrunan parōtrunan parotrynan parōtrynan parṓtrynanLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |
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