Brief Overview of παρενοχλέω (Strong’s G3926: parenochlēo)

Strong’s G3926: A compound verb combining παρά (beside) with ἐνοχλέω (to trouble), meaning “to cause trouble besides, to harass additionally.” Used in Acts 15:19 regarding not troubling Gentile converts with unnecessary requirements. Reflects early church concerns about Gentile inclusion and Jewish-Christian relations.

U- Unveiling the Word

παρενοχλέω carries the sense of creating additional or unnecessary trouble. In its sole New Testament usage, James employs it at the Jerusalem Council to argue against burdening Gentile converts with unnecessary Jewish customs. The compound structure emphasizes the additional nature of the trouble. Early church fathers used this term when discussing the relationship between law and grace. Today, it reminds us to avoid creating unnecessary barriers to faith while maintaining essential doctrine.

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N – Necessary Information

• Greek Word: παρενοχλέω, parenochlēo, /par-en-okh-LEH-oh/
• Detailed pronunciation: par (as in ‘par’) + en (as in ‘end’) + okh + LEH (stressed) + oh
• Part of Speech: Verb

Etymology:

• παρα- (para-): beside, additional
• ἐν- (en-): in
• ὀχλέω (ochleō): to trouble
• Combined to express additional troubling

D – Defining Meanings

• To cause additional trouble
• To harass unnecessarily
• To burden further

For compound words:
παρα- adds the sense of “besides” to ἐνοχλέω’s meaning of troubling, creating the concept of unnecessary additional burden

Translation Options:

• “To trouble unnecessarily” – emphasizes needlessness
• “To cause additional difficulty” – stresses the extra burden
• “To harass further” – captures ongoing nature

E – Exploring Similar Words

• ἐνοχλέω (enochleō) /en-okh-LEH-oh/ – to trouble, without additional aspect
• σκύλλω (skyllō) /SKOOL-lo/ – to trouble, more general disturbance
• ταράσσω (tarassō) /tar-AS-so/ – to disturb, stronger emotional connotation

R – Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

As a verb, παρενοχλέω exhibits:

• Tense: Present Infinitive (in NT usage)
• Voice: Active
• Mood: Infinitive
• Person: N/A
• Number: N/A
• Aspect: Progressive

Examples:
παρενοχλέω (I trouble additionally)
παρενοχλεῖν (to trouble additionally)
παρηνώχλησα (I troubled additionally – aorist)

S – Studying Lexicon Insights

BDAG emphasizes its use in contexts of unnecessary burden. Thayer’s notes its connection to religious requirements. LSJ documents classical usage for additional annoyance. Vine’s highlights its significance in Gentile-Jewish relations. Moulton and Milligan note its administrative usage.

T – Tracing the Scriptures

First appearance:
“Therefore my judgment is that we should not [παρενοχλέω] trouble those of the Gentiles who turn to God” (Acts 15:19)

Additional References:
None in the New Testament

A – Analyzing Classical Usage

N – Noteworthy Summary

παρενοχλέω represents unnecessary additional burden, particularly significant in the context of early church discussions about Gentile inclusion and religious requirements.

D – Did You Know?

• The word appears at a crucial moment in early church history
• It influenced early Christian discussions about law and grace
• The term became important in discussions of church unity and diversity

[Lexicon Summary]
A compound verb combining παρά (beside) with ἐνοχλέω (to trouble), meaning “to cause trouble besides, to harass additionally.” Used in Acts 15:19 regarding not troubling Gentile converts with unnecessary requirements. Reflects early church concerns about Gentile inclusion and Jewish-Christian relations.

Part of speech: Verb

Tags: #verb #acts #gentiles #jerusalem_council #burden #compound_word #biblical_greek #new_testament #law_and_grace #church_unity​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​