### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek word ἐπιπνίγω (epipnígō, `{{G1970}}`) is a compound verb derived from the preposition ἐπί (epí), meaning "upon," "over," or indicating intensity, and the verb πνίγω (pnígō, `{{G4155}}`), meaning "to choke," "to strangle," or "to suffocate."
Literally, epipnígō conveys the idea of "to choke upon" or "to throttle over," implying a forceful and detrimental suppression. However, its usage in the New Testament is exclusively figurative. In this figurative sense, it means "to overgrow" or "to smother," specifically describing vegetation that grows so profusely and aggressively that it suffocates or chokes out other plants, preventing their growth and fruitfulness. The core semantic range thus moves from a literal act of strangulation to a metaphorical depiction of overwhelming encroachment leading to the suppression of life or productivity.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term epipnígō appears exclusively in the Synoptic Gospels, specifically within the Parable of the Sower, providing a consistent and focused contextual meaning.
* **[[Matthew 13:7]]**: "Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and *choked* them."
* **[[Matthew 13:22]]**: "As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches *choke* the word, and it proves unfruitful."
* **[[Mark 4:7]]**: "Other seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and *choked* it, and it yielded no grain."
* **[[Mark 4:19]]**: "but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches and the desires for other things enter in and *choke* the word, and it proves unfruitful."
* **[[Luke 8:7]]**: "And other seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up with it and *choked* it."
* **[[Luke 8:14]]**: "As for what fell among thorns, these are the ones who hear, but as they go on their way they are *choked* by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature."
In each instance, epipnígō describes the destructive action of "thorns" (representing worldly concerns) upon the "seed" (representing the word of God or those who receive it). The verb emphasizes the aggressive and overwhelming nature of these hindrances. They do not merely inhibit growth but actively "choke" or "suffocate" the spiritual life that the word is meant to produce. The consistent result is a failure to bear fruit, highlighting the complete suppression of spiritual vitality and productivity. The imagery underscores that these worldly elements are not benign distractions but active antagonists that effectively smother nascent faith and prevent its maturation.
### Related Words & Concepts
* **πνίγω (pnígō, `{{G4155}}`)**: The base verb, meaning "to choke" or "to strangle." epipnígō intensifies this action, emphasizing the "over" or "upon" aspect of the choking, suggesting an oppressive covering or encroachment.
* **συμπνίγω (sympnígō, `{{G4846}}`)**: Another compound of πνίγω, meaning "to choke together" or "to suffocate completely." This term shares significant semantic overlap with epipnígō and is also used in some textual variants of the Parable of the Sower, conveying a similar sense of complete suffocation.
* **ἀπολλύω (apollýō, `{{G622}}`)**: "To destroy," "to perish." While epipnígō describes the *process* of destruction (choking out life), apollýō often describes the *result* (perishing, being ruined). The choking leads to the perishing of the fruit.
* **καρποφορέω (karpophoréō, `{{G2592}}`)**: "To bear fruit," "to be fruitful." This concept stands in direct antithesis to the outcome described by epipnígō. The choking prevents the seed from karpophoréō.
* **Thorns (ἄκανθα - akantha, `{{G173}}`)**: The physical representation of the spiritual hindrances (cares, riches, pleasures) that perform the action of choking.
* **Word (λόγος - logos, `{{G3056}}`)**: The divine truth, the "seed," that is vulnerable to being choked.
* **Fruit (καρπός - karpos, `{{G2590}}`)**: The desired spiritual outcome and evidence of a transformed life, which is prevented by the choking.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of epipnígō within the Parable of the Sower is profound and serves as a critical warning for spiritual life.
1. **The Insidious Nature of Worldliness:** The verb vividly portrays worldly concerns—"cares of the world," "deceitfulness of riches," "desires for other things," and "pleasures of life"—not as benign distractions but as aggressive, life-suffocating forces. They "overgrow" and "throttle" the spiritual seed, preventing it from taking root and flourishing. This highlights the danger of allowing these elements to dominate one's heart.
2. **The Imperative of Spiritual Fruitfulness:** The consistent outcome of being "choked" is unfruitfulness. This underscores the biblical emphasis on bearing spiritual fruit as evidence of genuine faith and a transformed life (e.g., [[John 15:8]], [[Galatians 5:22-23]]). The failure to produce fruit due to being choked signifies a spiritual barrenness that falls short of God's design for His people.
3. **Human Responsibility in Cultivating the Heart:** While the seed (the word of God) is inherently good, its effectiveness is contingent on the receptivity and condition of the "soil" (the human heart). The parable, through the action of epipnígō, emphasizes the human responsibility to guard against and remove the "thorns" that threaten to choke out spiritual life.
4. **The Ongoing Spiritual Battle:** The imagery of thorns growing up *with* the seed suggests a continuous, insidious struggle. Believers must remain vigilant against the constant encroachment of worldly priorities that seek to undermine their devotion and spiritual vitality.
### Summary
The Greek word ἐπιπνίγω (epipnígō, `{{G1970}}`), literally "to choke upon," is used figuratively in the New Testament to mean "to overgrow" or "to smother." Exclusively found in the Synoptic Gospels' Parable of the Sower, it powerfully describes how "thorns"—representing the cares of the world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the pleasures of life—aggressively "choke" the "word" (the seed) sown in the heart. This choking action prevents the spiritual seed from bearing its intended "fruit," leading to unfruitfulness or a failure to mature. Epipnígō thus serves as a potent theological warning, highlighting the destructive and pervasive nature of worldly distractions that can suffocate spiritual life, thereby emphasizing the critical need for believers to cultivate hearts free from such influences, allowing the word of God to flourish and produce abundant spiritual fruit.
TRV