[Greek] κωλύω (kōluō), [Latin] prohibere, [Latin] adversus, [Latin] vetare, [Latin] contemnere, [German] hinder, [French] interdire: to forbid, to hinder, to keep from, to withstand, to prohibit; 23 scriptural references
Background information:
Greek Hellenism: This term means to hinder, to keep one from, to prevent, to not allow, and to put a stop to.
Aristophanes’ Clouds 1448: “Most assuredly, if you do this, nothing will hinder you from casting yourself into the pit along with Socrates.”
Plato’s Menexenus 244c: “Our city resolved that never again would it assist Greeks when in danger of enslavement either by one another or at the hands of barbarians.”
Xenophon’s Hellenica 3.2.22: “The Eleans would not allow him to pray for victory in war, saying that it was an established principle that Greeks should not consult the oracle.”
Polybius’ Histories 6.55.3: “When the bridge had been broken down, the attack of the enemy was stopped.”
Sophocles’ Antigone 261: “Then evil words flew thick and loud among us. It would even come to blows in the end, nor there was anyone to prevent it.”
Aristophanes’ Knights 972: “Here goes, by Zeus. There’s nothing to stop us.”
Old Testament: This term means to restrict, to hold back, to withdraw, to depart, to maintain, and to retreat.
Loving your neighbor: Lev.19:18 states that you shall love your neighbor as yourself. One must not take revenge or cherish any grudge against your fellow countrymen. This commandment did not extend to non-neighbor enemies. Psa.139:19-22 states that it is permissible to “hate” (to disapprove, to avoid, to be angry at, and to loathe) their enemy.
New Testament: This term means to prevent, to withhold, and to oppress. In responding to the disciples’ objections, Jesus tells them not to prevent the children from coming to Him. Jesus states that one must have tolerance for those who do mighty deeds in His name. The scholars and Pharisees have taken away the key of knowledge for others through their opposition and lack of faith. The Jewish assembly accused of Jesus of opposing paying taxes to Caesar. Paul and Timothy were prevented by the Holy Spirit from preaching in Asia. Paul states that the Jews had been trying to prevent him from speaking to the Gentiles. In contrast to Jesus’ eternal priesthood, many priests were prevented by death from remaining in office.
Notable scriptures:
Mt.19:14: Do not prevent them (children) from coming to Me.
Mt.9:38-39: The disciples tried to prevent the exorcist driving out demons in Jesus’ name
Lk.6:29: Do not withhold even your tunic (from your enemy)
Lk.11:52: Scholars of the law, you have taken away the key of knowledge
Acts 16:6: Paul and Timothy prevented by the Holy Spirit in preach in Asia
Heb.7:23: Many priests were prevented by death from remaining in office
Turning the other cheek:
What is a common perception of turning the other cheek? This does not mean becoming a complete doormat in allowing to be attached by an aggressor. “Ok. You slapped me on my right cheek. Why don’t also you slap me on my left cheek.”
How did the Roman soldiers view the Jews? The Jews were considered as second-class citizens. Soldiers tended to be right-handed. When Romans struck an “inferior” person, they would give a back-handed slap on that person’s right cheek.
How did the Roman soldiers strike someone considered their equal? The soldier would punch that person’s left cheek with his fist.
What does turning the other cheek accomplish? The Jewish person forces his Roman attacker to treat him as an equal. Jesus wants the Jews to stand up and demand respect. This action is intended to activate the soldier’s conscience
Conclusion:
Prohibit, prohibition, adverse, contempt, contemptible, interdict
Again, this term effectively illustrates human behavior. It is interesting to note that we continue to be ‘inspired’ by our modern-day gods (money, technology, power, etc). We get angry or anxious when we lose internet access (prevented from being connected).
Sometimes when we do nothing (not seek forgiveness), we may fall into further trouble.
It seems that God’s relationship with man matures going from the Old Testament era to the New Testament era. In the Old Testament, it is as if God views man like an adolescent (teenager). Then Jesus expects man to act more like adults in the New Testament era. Jesus wants man to love your enemy like your neighbor (to grow up having mature relationships!)
Yet Jesus wants us to have a child-like trust (faith) in God. The kingdom of heaven is for children like this.
Jesus states that those who act in His name cannot be against him. The disciples also need to show a little more tolerance and courtesy to others (but not for sinful activity).
Jesus subtly uses psychology in interacting with one’s enemy (persecutor) in showing respect.
In contrast to Peter’s keys, the scholars lock access to the knowledge of heaven.
True to His form, the Holy Spirit remains as the most mysterious aspect of God. In a sense, only God knows why Paul and Timothy were not meant to travel to Asia. This allowed for greater inroads into Greece.
Update: On a personal note, I never understood why I struggled so much. Perhaps the Holy Spirit opened a better path for me. If I didn’t go through my many career and personal struggles in life, I wouldn’t have become a catechist!
The Chinese government used intimidation to try to prevent Speaker Pelosi from visiting Taiwan.
The West needs to continue to provide all means of support to Ukraine to prevent further Russian progress.
It is now is becoming more and more difficult to prevent mention of Hunter Biden’s business relationship with his father.
There continues to be efforts to not allow the mention of the word ‘recession’.
Abortion rights supporters accuse the pro-life supporters of preventing them from killing their unborn. (As if this is a bad thing????)
Liberal criminal policies and equity justice policy has not prevented the resurgence of crime in many cities in the United States.
The January 6 commission still continues its efforts to remove or forbid President Trump from running for president again.
More and more crime-run cities our resolving to end no bail and early release of criminals.
The NBA, chasing millions of dollars with China, seems to be “prevented” about talking about human rights abuses.
We are continuing to live in a very divisive and polarized society where evil words go back and forth.
There thankfully continues to be momentum to prevent transgender women to compete in women’s sports.
There may be starting momentum for opposition against offering puberty blockers.
“God forbid that I should travel with anyone a quarter of an hour without speaking of Christ to them.” George Whitefield
“God never ceases to speak to us, but the noise of the world without and tumult of our passions within bewilder us and prevent us from listening to Him.” Francois Fenelon
Sometimes we just do or say what we want. We often can’t keep from saying what is on our minds. We may often overshoot the mark and fall short of truth and sincerity. These actions and comments may be impactful (good or bad) beyond measure and may go beyond ordinary common sense and decency. There will always be those who will “jump the shark” (remember Happy Days?) in taking something too far.
Next post: Overshooting the mark and throwing beyond