Strong's g1465

Pronunciation Guide: eng-kop’-to (eng as in “length,” kop as in “copy,” to as in “toe”)

Basic Definition

Strong’s G1465: ἐγκόπτω (egkoptō) describes the act of hindering, impeding, or interrupting progress by placing an obstacle in one’s path. In the New Testament, it often carries the connotation of spiritual impediments or divinely orchestrated interruptions that redirect believers’ paths according to God’s sovereign purposes. The term vividly portrays the experience of encountering a barrier that requires either redirection or heightened spiritual perseverance.

Etymology and Morphology

• Part of Speech: Verb
• Root Components: ἐν (en, “in”) + κόπτω (koptō, “to cut, strike”)
• Language Origin: Compound Greek word
• Primary Usage: Narrative passages and epistolary literature
• Tense Occurrences: Primarily appears in present and aorist forms
• Voice: Appears in both active and passive forms

ἐγκόπτω Morphology:

• ἐγκόπτω (present active indicative, 1st person singular) – I hinder/impede
• ἐγκόπτεις (present active indicative, 2nd person singular) – you hinder/impede
• ἐγκόπτει (present active indicative, 3rd person singular) – he/she/it hinders/impedes
• ἐνέκοψα (aorist active indicative, 1st person singular) – I hindered/impeded
• ἐνεκόπην (aorist passive indicative, 1st person singular) – I was hindered/impeded

Origin & History

The term ἐγκόπτω originated in classical Greek as a military and agricultural term. Its literal meaning derives from the practice of cutting obstacles into roads to impede an enemy’s advance during warfare. Xenophon uses the term in his work “Anabasis” (4.2.15) when describing how troops would cut trenches across roads to slow pursuing forces. In agricultural contexts, it referred to the practice of cutting into tree roots to check growth or redirect it.

In the Septuagint (LXX), while the exact form ἐγκόπτω appears infrequently, related terms with similar meanings appear in contexts describing obstruction or interference with planned actions. The transition to New Testament usage reveals a spiritual application of this physical concept, where the impediment often carries divine purpose – not merely as an obstacle but as a redirecting force in believers’ lives. Early church father Clement of Alexandria, in his “Stromata” (7.12), employs the term when discussing how fleshly desires can “cut into” and impede spiritual progress.

Expanded Definitions & Translation Options

• Interruption of Movement – The physical hindering of travel or progress along a path
• Spiritual Obstruction – Impediments to spiritual goals or ministry efforts
• Divine Redirection – God’s sovereign intervention that changes human plans
• Systematic Hampering – Ongoing, deliberate attempts to thwart another’s progress
• Providential Delay – Temporary postponement orchestrated by divine wisdom

ἐγκόπτω Translation Options:

• Hinder – Emphasizes the slowing or obstructing aspect without necessarily implying complete stoppage
• Impede – Suggests placing obstacles in the way that make progress difficult but not impossible
• Interrupt – Highlights the sudden breaking into ongoing action or plans
• Thwart – Captures the frustration of having one’s intentions actively opposed
• Cut off – Most literal translation that preserves the etymological root of cutting into a path

Biblical Usage

In the New Testament, ἐγκόπτω appears in contexts that reveal both human and divine agency in creating obstacles. Its first appearance in Acts 24:4 occurs when Tertullus, seeking to present charges against Paul, assures Felix that he does not wish to “hinder” him with many words – an ironic use given that Paul’s ministry was consistently subjected to attempts at hindrance. The term distinctively appears in Pauline epistles where it often relates to spiritual warfare and divine guidance through obstacles.

Paul employs ἐγκόπτω to describe Satan’s attempts to block his ministry efforts, as well as God’s sovereign interventions that redirect his plans. This dual usage reveals an important theological principle: while evil forces may seek to impede God’s work, even these impediments ultimately serve God’s sovereign purposes in redirecting His servants’ paths. The term thus carries both negative and positive connotations depending on the agent and intent behind the hindrance.

Key passages featuring ἐγκόπτω include:

• “But in order not to hinder [ἐγκόπτω] you any further, I beg you to hear us briefly in your kindness.” Acts 24:4
• “For we wanted to come to you—certainly I, Paul, did, again and again—but Satan hindered [ἐγκόπτω] us.” 1 Thessalonians 2:18
• “You were running well; who hindered [ἐγκόπτω] you from obeying the truth?” Galatians 5:7
• “So that your prayers may not be hindered [ἐγκόπτω].” 1 Peter 3:7
• “For this reason I have often been hindered [ἐγκόπτω] from coming to you.” Romans 15:22

Cultural Insights

In the Roman world, the concept of ἐγκόπτω would have been immediately recognizable to first-century readers familiar with military tactics. Roman roads were engineering marvels designed for swift troop movements, and the deliberate cutting of obstacles into these roads was a serious offense. The Roman historian Tacitus documents how forces would “cut” trenches across roads (a practice described with terminology related to ἐγκόπτω) to slow enemy advances.

Additionally, the term carried agricultural significance in the Hellenistic world. Farmers would strategically cut into the roots of certain trees to redirect growth or encourage fruiting. This horticultural practice provides a compelling metaphor for understanding God’s purpose in divine hindrance – not to destroy but to redirect for greater fruitfulness. When Paul speaks of being “hindered” from visiting Rome in Romans 15:22, readers would have understood this as potentially involving deliberate divine redirection rather than mere frustration of plans.

Theological Significance

The concept of ἐγκόπτω reveals profound theological truths about God’s sovereignty and guidance in believers’ lives. While humans often perceive interruptions as unwelcome obstacles, Scripture portrays divine hindrance as an expression of God’s perfect wisdom and timing. The seemingly negative experience of being “cut off” from one’s intended path often becomes the very means by which God redirects His people toward greater kingdom purposes.

This understanding transforms our perspective on life’s impediments. What appears as frustration may actually be divine protection or redirection. When Paul was “hindered” from visiting Thessalonica (1 Thessalonians 2:18), this impediment became the occasion for writing a letter that would instruct not just the Thessalonians but countless believers throughout history. The theology of ἐγκόπτω teaches that God’s sovereign hindrances are always purposeful, even when painful or confusing in the moment.

Furthermore, the term highlights the spiritual warfare dimension of Christian ministry. When Satan “hinders” (ἐγκόπτω) God’s servants, these obstacles become opportunities for deeper dependence on God’s power and wisdom. The hindrance itself becomes the stage upon which God demonstrates His faithfulness and ultimate authority over all opposition.

Personal Application

When we encounter obstacles in our spiritual journey – whether in prayer, ministry, or personal growth – the concept of ἐγκόπτω invites us to see beyond the frustration to the divine purpose. Rather than viewing impediments solely as attacks to be overcome, we can approach them with prayerful discernment, asking: “Is this a hindrance to be pushed through, or is it a divine redirection I should heed?”

This perspective transforms our response to life’s interruptions. Instead of becoming discouraged when our plans are “cut off,” we can embrace these moments as invitations to seek God’s redirecting wisdom. The delays and detours in our lives may be precisely where God intends to do His most significant work – both in us and through us. Just as a tree responds to strategic cutting by redirecting its growth energy, our spiritual lives often flourish most abundantly when divine hindrance forces us to grow in unexpected directions.

Related Words

• κωλύω (kōluō, “to prevent, hinder, restrain”) – While ἐγκόπτω emphasizes the interruption of movement already in progress, κωλύω focuses more on prevention before action begins. It involves restraint or prohibition that completely blocks an action. See G2967
• ἀνακόπτω (anakoptō, “to beat back, repel”) – A military term related to ἐγκόπτω but emphasizing forceful repulsion rather than merely placing obstacles. It suggests aggressive opposition that drives back an advancing force. See G348
• κατέχω (katechō, “to hold down, restrain, possess”) – While ἐγκόπτω implies temporary impediment, κατέχω suggests ongoing restraint or suppression. It can refer to holding something in place or preventing its release. See G2722
• ἐμποδίζω (empodizō, “to fetter, entangle the feet”) – Related to ἐγκόπτω but specifically referring to impediments that entangle one’s feet, preventing smooth movement. It emphasizes the tripping or stumbling aspect of hindrance. See G1707
• διακωλύω (diakōluō, “to hinder thoroughly, forbid”) – An intensified form of hindrance that suggests complete prohibition or thoroughgoing prevention, in contrast to the temporary interruption of ἐγκόπτω. See G1254

Did you Know?

• Did you know? The imagery behind ἐγκόπτω comes from ancient military tactics where armies would deliberately cut trenches across roads to slow enemy advances. This practice was so common that Roman law eventually included severe penalties for citizens who damaged imperial roads by “cutting into” them, using terminology related to ἐγκόπτω. The next time you face an unexpected obstacle, consider whether it might be a divine trench cut across your path to protect you from unseen danger ahead.
• Did you know? In modern Greek, derivatives of ἐγκόπτω are still used in technical contexts related to interruptions, particularly in electrical engineering where “έγκοπή” (egkopi) refers to a power cut or interruption in electrical supply. This linguistic continuity reminds us that spiritual power, like electricity, sometimes requires interruption for safety and redirection.
• Did you know? The apostle Paul experienced ἐγκόπτω repeatedly in his ministry, most dramatically when he attempted to enter Asia but was “forbidden by the Holy Spirit” (Acts 16:6). While this verse doesn’t use ἐγκόπτω specifically, it illustrates the concept perfectly. This divine hindrance led directly to Paul’s Macedonian vision and the introduction of the gospel to Europe – a profound example of how God’s interruptions often lead to His greatest interventions.

Remember This

Divine interruptions are not divine rejections; they are divine redirections that reveal God’s sovereign protection and perfect timing in our lives.