Hinder, Hindrance

lit., "to cut into" (en, "in," kopto, "to cut"), was used of "impeding" persons by breaking up the road, or by placing an obstacle sharply in the path; hence, metaphorically, of "detaining" a person unnecessarily, Act 24:4; of "hindrances" in the way of reaching others, Rom 15:22; or returning to them, 1Th 2:18; of "hindering" progress in the Christian life, Gal 5:7 (anakopto in some mss.), where the significance virtually is "who broke up the road along which you were travelling so well?;" of "hindrances" to the prayers of husband and wife, through low standards of marital conduct, 1Pe 3:7 (ekkopto, "to cut out, repulse," in some mss.).

"to hinder, forbid, restrain," is translated "to hinder" in Luk 11:52, Act 8:36, Rom 1:13, RV (AV, "was let"); Heb 7:23, RV (AV, "were not suffered"). See FORBID.

a strengthened form of No. 2, "to hinder thoroughly," is used in Mat 3:14, of John the Baptist's endeavor to "hinder" Christ from being baptized, AV, "forbad," RV, "would have hindered," lit., "was hindering."

"a hindrance," lit., "a cutting in," akin to A, No. 1, with corresponding significance, is used in 1Co 9:12, with didomi, "to give," RV, "(that) we may cause (no) hindrance," AV, "(lest) we should hinder."