Compel

New Testament

Vine's Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words

Definition

1anankazoG315

denotes "to put constraint upon (from ananke, 'necessity'), to constrain," whether by threat, entreaty, force or persuasion; Christ "constrained" the disciples to get into a boat, Mat 14:22, Mar 6:45; the servants of the man who made a great supper were to constrain people to come in, Luk 14:23 (RV, "constrain"); Saul of Tarsus "strove" to make saints blaspheme, Act 26:11, RV (AV, "compelled"); Titus, though a Greek, was not "compelled" to be circumcised, Gal 2:3, as Galatian converts were, Gal 6:12, RV; Peter was "compelling" Gentiles to live as Jews, Gal 2:14; Paul was "constrained" to appeal to Caesar, Act 28:19, and was "compelled" by the church at Corinth to become foolish in speaking of himself, 2Co 12:11. See CONSTRAIN.

2angareuoG29

"to dispatch as an angaros (a Persian courier kept at regular stages with power of impressing men into service)," and hence, in general, "to impress into service," is used of "compelling" a person to go a mile, Mat 5:41; of the impressing of Simon to bear Christ's cross, Mat 27:32, Mar 15:21.