Lexical Summary sunechó: To hold together, to constrain, to compel, to press Original Word: συνέχω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance constrain, hold, keep inFrom sun and echo; to hold together, i.e. To compress (the ears, with a crowd or siege) or arrest (a prisoner); figuratively, to compel, perplex, afflict, preoccupy -- constrain, hold, keep in, press, lie sick of, stop, be in a strait, straiten, be taken with, throng. see GREEK sun see GREEK echo NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom sun and echó Definition to hold together, to hold fast, pass. to be seized (by illness) NASB Translation afflicted (1), controls (1), covered (1), crowding (1), devoting...completely (1), distressed (1), gripped (1), hard-pressed (1), hem (1), holding...in custody (1), suffering (2). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 4912: συνέχωσυνέχω; future συνεξω; 2 aorist συνέσχον; passive present συνέχομαι; imperfect συνειχομην; from Homer down; 1. to hold together; any whole, lest it fall to pieces or something fall away from it: τό συνέχον τά πάντα, the deity as holding all things together, Wis. 1:7 (see Grimm at the passage). 2. to hold together with constraint, to compress, i. e., a. to press together with the hand: τά ὦτα, to stop the ears, Acts 7:57 (τό στόμα, Isaiah 52:15; τόν οὐρανόν, to shut, that it may not rain, Deuteronomy 11:17; 1 Kings 8:35). b. to press on every side: τινα, Luke 8:45; with πάντοθεν added, of a besieged city, Luke 19:43. 3. to hold completely, i. e. a. to hold fast : properly, a prisoner, Luke 22:63 (τά αἰχμάλωτα, Lucian, Tox. 39); metaphorically, in the passive, to be held by, closely occupied with, any business (Wis. 17:19 (20); Herodian, 1, 17, 22 (9 edition, Bekker); Aelian v. h. 14, 22): τῷ λόγῳ, in teaching the word, Acts 18:5 G L T Tr WH (here R. V. constrained by). β. to constrain, oppress, of ills laying hold of one and distressing him; passive, to be holden with equivalent to afflicted with, suffering from": νόσοις, Matthew 4:24; πυρετῷ, Luke 4:38; δυσεντερίῳ, Acts 28:8 (many examples from Greek writings from Aeschylus and Herodotus down are given in Passow, under the word συνέχω, I. a.; (Liddell and Scott, under the word, I. 4)); of affections of the mind: φόβῳ, Luke 8:37 (ὀδύρμω, Aelian v. h. 14, 22; ἀλγηδονι, Plutarch, de fluv. 2, 1; ἀθυμία, ibid. 7, 5; 19, 1; λύπη, 17, 3; for other examples see Grimm on Wis. 17:10). γ. to urge, impel: tropically, the soul, ἡ ἀγάπη ... συνέχει ἡμᾶς, 2 Corinthians 5:14 (A. V. constraineth); πῶς (how greatly, how sorely) συνέχομαι, Luke 12:50 (A. V. straitened); τῷ πνεύματι, Acts 18:5 Rec. συνέχομαι ἐκ τῶν δύο, I am hard pressed on both sides, my mind is impelled or disturbed from each side (R. V. I am in a strait betwixt the two), Philippians 1:23. Strong’s Greek 4912 depicts a powerful constraining force that can be physical, emotional, spiritual, or circumstantial. Whether the pressure comes from illness, crowds, intense feeling, or the compelling work of God, the verb portrays something so strong that it limits alternative action and drives events toward a certain outcome. Semantic Range in the New Testament 1. Bodily affliction or pain. Physical Affliction and Human Frailty Luke 4:38; Acts 28:8; Matthew 4:24 each use the verb for those “suffering” or “afflicted” with fever and other maladies. The word highlights the helplessness of the sick and the sufficiency of Christ and His servants to liberate them. Ministry today draws confidence from these healings, knowing the Lord still answers prayer for the constrained and the infirm. Social Pressure and Crowding Around Jesus Luke 8:45 records, “Master, the people are crowding and pressing against You.” The same root describes the Gadarenes “seized with great fear” (Luke 8:37), the temple guard “holding Jesus” during His trial (Luke 22:63), and enemies who will “hem you in on every side” (Luke 19:43). These scenes remind believers that discipleship unfolds amid hostile or suffocating environments, yet Christ remains sovereign in every circumstance. Spiritual Compulsion and the Inner Life Paul says, “For Christ’s love compels us” (2 Corinthians 5:14). The apostle is not merely encouraged but irresistibly driven by the atoning love of Jesus. Similarly, in Acts 18:5 the Word so “pressed” Paul that he devoted himself wholly to preaching, while in Philippians 1:23 he is “torn between” remaining to serve or departing to be with Christ. Genuine gospel ministry cannot be sustained by human enthusiasm alone; it is sustained by the Spirit’s constraining power. Christ’s Suffering and Redemptive Mission In Luke 12:50 Jesus confesses, “I have a baptism to undergo, and how distressed I am until it is accomplished!” The verb shows the Lord voluntarily bound to the path of the cross. His self-imposed constraint guarantees redemption and exemplifies complete submission to the Father’s will. Eschatological Warning and Judgment Luke 19:43 foresees Jerusalem’s siege: “Your enemies will barricade you and surround you and hem you in on every side.” The term thus speaks of inescapable judgment for persistent unbelief. It urges sober reflection on personal and corporate repentance. Pastoral and Practical Implications • Preaching and evangelism thrive when the love of Christ, not mere duty, holds the messenger fast. Doctrinal Significance The verb underscores divine sovereignty and human responsibility. God decisively acts—compelling Paul’s mission, hemming in Jerusalem—yet individuals remain accountable for their response. Salvation history advances because God graciously constrains events, ensuring the fulfillment of His redemptive purposes. Occurrences Summary Illness: Matthew 4:24; Luke 4:38; Acts 28:8 Fear or hostility: Luke 8:37; 8:45; 22:63; Acts 7:57; Luke 19:43 Apostolic drive: Acts 18:5; 2 Corinthians 5:14; Philippians 1:23 Messianic Mission: Luke 12:50 In every setting Strong’s 4912 conveys a force so potent that it governs the outcome. Whether love, suffering, fear, or judgment, the compelling hand of God is always at work, directing history and personal lives toward His ordained ends. Englishman's Concordance Matthew 4:24 V-PPM/P-AMPGRK: καὶ βασάνοις συνεχομένους καὶ δαιμονιζομένους NAS: who were ill, those suffering with various KJV: people that were taken with divers INT: and pains oppressed and possessed by demons Luke 4:38 V-PPM/P-NFS Luke 8:37 V-IIM/P-3P Luke 8:45 V-PIA-3P Luke 12:50 V-PIM/P-1S Luke 19:43 V-FIA-3P Luke 22:63 V-PPA-NMP Acts 7:57 V-AIA-3P Acts 18:5 V-IIM/P-3S Acts 28:8 V-PPM/P-AMS 2 Corinthians 5:14 V-PIA-3S Philippians 1:23 V-PIM/P-1S Strong's Greek 4912 |
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