κωλύω

kōlýō /ko-loo'-o/ Ask about this word
Rootfrom the base of κολάζω
Meaningto estop, i.e. prevent (by word or act)
KJV usageforbid, hinder, keep from, let, not suffer, withstand.
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Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Greek word kōlýō, represented by G2967, is a verb that means to estop, i.e. prevent by word or act. Its definitions include to forbid, hinder, keep from, not suffer, and withstand. It appears 23 times in 23 unique verses, highlighting its specific and impactful use in scripture.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In the biblical narrative, G2967 appears in several crucial contexts. It is most famously used by Jesus when he rebukes his disciples, saying "Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not" Mark 10:14. The word also describes divine intervention, as when the apostles were "forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia" Acts 16:6. It can also signify a challenge to improper authority, as when Peter asks, "Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost?" Acts 10:47. Conversely, it is used in a false accusation against Jesus, claiming he was "forbidding to give tribute to Caesar" Luke 23:2.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words help clarify the meaning of preventing or allowing an action:

  • G863 aphíēmi (to send forth... let... suffer...): This word acts as the direct positive counterpart to G2967 in the accounts of Jesus and the children, where he commands his disciples to "suffer" them to come and "forbid them not" Luke 18:16.
  • G1525 eisérchomai (to enter (literally or figuratively)): The act of hindering is often related to preventing entry. Jesus condemns the lawyers who have taken away the key of knowledge, saying "ye entered not in yourselves, and them that were entering in ye hindered" Luke 11:52.
  • G1299 diatássō (to arrange thoroughly, i.e. (specially) institute, prescribe, etc.): This word for commanding or ordaining provides a contrast to forbidding. In one instance, a centurion commanded Paul to be kept, yet also ordered that none of his acquaintance should be forbidden to minister to him Acts 24:23.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of G2967 is significant, often touching on themes of divine authority and access to salvation.

  • Divine Sovereignty: The word underscores God's ultimate authority to permit or prevent. The Holy Ghost actively forbade a missionary journey Acts 16:6, and Peter acknowledges the futility of opposing a divine act, asking "what was I, that I could withstand God?" Acts 11:17.
  • Access to Salvation: G2967 is frequently tied to hindering access to God. Paul condemns those who were "Forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they might be saved" 1 Thessalonians 2:16. The question of what doth hinder the Ethiopian eunuch from being baptized shows the removal of a barrier to faith Acts 8:36.
  • Warning Against False Prohibitions: The term is used to identify legalistic and false teachings. Paul warns of doctrines promoted by those "Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving" 1 Timothy 4:3.

Summary

In summary, G2967 is more than a simple word for "forbid." It serves as a crucial term that delineates the boundary between divine permission and human obstruction. It highlights the open access to God commanded by Christ, warns against religious legalism that hinders believers, and ultimately affirms the sovereign power of God, whose will cannot be withstood.

Grammatical Forms

In the Greek New Testament, this word appears as a verb across 23 occurrences, inflected in 13 grammatical forms.

  • Present Active Imperative 2nd Plural 6×
  • Aorist Active Indicative 3rd Singular 2×
  • Aorist Active Infinitive 2×
  • Imperfect Active Indicative 1st Plural 2×
  • Present Active Indicative 3rd Singular 2×
  • Present Active Participle Genitive Plural Masculine 2×
  • Aorist Active Indicative 2nd Plural 1×
  • Aorist Active Subjunctive 2nd Singular 1×
  • Aorist Passive Indicative 1st Singular 1×
  • Aorist Passive Participle Nominative Plural Masculine 1×
  • Present Active Infinitive 1×
  • Present Active Participle Accusative Singular Masculine 1×

+ 1 rarer form

Nominative
The subject of the verb.
Genitive
Possession or source — often "of".
Accusative
The direct object of the verb.
Singular
One.
Plural
More than one.
Masculine
Masculine grammatical gender.
1st
First person — the speaker ("I"/"we").
2nd
Second person — the one addressed ("you").
3rd
Third person — the one spoken about ("he"/"they").
Present
Action in progress or repeated — happening now or continually.
Imperfect
Ongoing or repeated action in the past — "was doing".
Aorist
Action viewed as a single whole — usually a simple past event.
Active
The subject performs the action.
Passive
The subject is acted upon.
Indicative
A plain statement of fact.
Imperative
A command or entreaty.
Subjunctive
Possibility or purpose — "might", "should".
Infinitive
The verb as a noun — "to do".
Participle
A verbal adjective — describes while carrying the verb's action.

Theographic Context

Biblical Distribution

Appears in 23 verses across 11 books. Most frequent in Luke (6 verses).

1
Matthew
3
Mark
6
Luke
6
Acts
1
Romans
1
1 Corinthians
1
1 Thessalonians
1
1 Timothy
1
Hebrews
1
2 Peter
1
3 John

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