### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek adverb μόγις (mógis, `{{G3425}}`) derives from a root implying "toil" or "struggle." Its core meaning denotes an action or state achieved "with difficulty," "scarcely," or "hardly." It conveys the sense of something occurring only after considerable effort, or being on the very edge of not happening at all due to significant impediment or resistance. It highlights the arduousness of a situation, the narrowness of an escape, or the strenuous nature of an accomplishment.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
μόγις appears in the New Testament, primarily in two distinct contexts, illustrating its semantic range:
1. **Acts 27:7**: "And when we had sailed *slowly* many days, and *scarcely* were come over against Cnidus, the wind not suffering us, we sailed under Crete, over against Salmone." [[Acts 27:7]] Here, μόγις describes the extreme difficulty of the ship's progress due to adverse winds. The journey was not merely slow, but so impeded that reaching Cnidus was a near impossibility, a testament to the powerful natural forces at play and the vulnerability of human endeavor against them. It sets the stage for the subsequent shipwreck and divine intervention.
2. **Luke 9:39**: "And, lo, a spirit taketh him, and he suddenly crieth out; and it teareth him that he foameth again, and *with difficulty* departeth from him, bruising him." [[Luke 9:39]] In this account of a demon-possessed boy, μόγις describes the struggle of the demonic spirit to leave the boy. It signifies the intense resistance offered by the evil spirit, emphasizing the violent and arduous nature of its expulsion. This passage underscores the formidable power of the demonic realm and the profound spiritual battle involved in deliverance, contrasting with the ease with which Jesus later casts out the same spirit.
In both instances, μόγις underscores a situation of severe impediment or struggle, whether physical (adverse winds) or spiritual (demonic resistance).
### Related Words & Concepts
μόγις is semantically related to other Greek terms that convey effort, hardship, or resistance. These include:
* κόπος (kopos, `{{G2873}}`): "toil," "labor," often implying weariness or trouble.
* μόχθος (mochthos, `{{G3449}}`): "toil," "hardship," "distress," often referring to physical exertion or suffering.
* θλῖψις (thlipsis, `{{G2347}}`): "tribulation," "affliction," "pressure," signifying distress or oppression.
* στενοχωρία (stenochoria, `{{G4729}}`): "distress," "narrowness of space," conveying a sense of being hemmed in or under pressure.
The concept of μόγις also connects to the broader biblical themes of human limitation, the power of opposing forces (natural or spiritual), and the necessity of perseverance or divine intervention in the face of overwhelming odds.
### Theological Significance
The use of μόγις carries significant theological weight. It highlights the reality of genuine difficulty and resistance in the world, whether from the forces of nature or spiritual adversaries.
In Acts, it serves to magnify the perilous circumstances faced by Paul and his companions, setting the stage for God's sovereign control and providential care over the journey. The fact that they "scarcely" made it to Cnidus emphasizes the desperate need for divine guidance and intervention, which ultimately came through Paul's prophetic word and God's preservation of all lives. It points to the truth that human effort, even at its maximum, can be insufficient without God's enabling power.
In Luke, μόγις powerfully portrays the formidable nature of demonic oppression. The demon's "difficult" departure underscores the spiritual battle that unfolds in deliverance. It implicitly contrasts the disciples' struggle with the effortless authority of Jesus, who later casts out the spirit with a mere word. This highlights the unique, absolute power of Christ over all spiritual forces, and the need for believers to rely on His authority when confronting evil.
Ultimately, μόγις serves as a linguistic marker for situations where human strength or natural means are pushed to their limits, thereby inviting recognition of divine power, grace, and intervention as the ultimate source of deliverance and success. It fosters a reverent understanding of God's sovereignty over all difficulties.
### Summary
μόγις (mógis, `{{G3425}}`) is an adverb meaning "with difficulty," "scarcely," or "hardly." Its occurrences in the New Testament, specifically [[Acts 27:7]] and [[Luke 9:39]], powerfully illustrate its use in describing situations of extreme impediment. In Acts, it depicts the arduousness of a sea voyage against overwhelming winds, highlighting human vulnerability and the need for divine providence. In Luke, it portrays the fierce resistance of a demonic spirit during its expulsion, underscoring the intensity of spiritual warfare and the supreme authority of Christ. The word consistently points to circumstances where human or natural effort is stretched to its limits, thereby implicitly emphasizing the necessity and glory of God's sovereign power and intervention.
TRV