ἀνένδεκτος (anendektos)
anendektos
impossible
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The adjective anendektos describes something that is impossible or inadmissible. It combines a negative prefix with a root meaning "to admit" or "allow," creating a term for what cannot be permitted or accepted. In the New Testament, this word appears only once, in Luke 17:1.
Jesus uses it to address the reality of offenses that will inevitably occur. He states that it is anendektos—impossible or inadmissible—for offenses not to come, even though woe awaits those who cause them. The term emphasizes the inevitability of certain difficult circumstances within a community, rather than their moral desirability.
Translators typically render this as "it is impossible" or "it is unavoidable." This captures the sense that while sin and stumbling blocks are regrettable, they are an inescapable part of human interaction. The word highlights the tension between divine expectation and earthly reality, acknowledging that failure will happen even among believers.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
Life in community often feels like a balancing act between high ideals and messy reality. Jesus acknowledges this tension directly when He tells His followers that it is impossible for offenses not to occur. This word, anendektos, reminds us that stumbling blocks are an inevitable part of human interaction. It does not mean sin is acceptable, but rather that its presence in a fallen world is unavoidable.
When you find yourself hurt by another believer or tempted to cause offense, this verse offers a grounded perspective. It invites you to recognize the difficulty of your situation without losing hope. The focus shifts from trying to create a perfect environment to maintaining personal integrity despite the chaos around you. This understanding can relieve the pressure to achieve flawlessness in relationships.
Instead of despairing over inevitable conflicts, we are called to guard our own hearts and actions. Jesus warns those who cause others to stumble, highlighting the seriousness of our influence on one another. Yet, this warning is paired with grace for those who struggle. It encourages us to pursue peace while accepting that friction will happen, trusting God to sustain us through these inevitable challenges.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Impossible1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἀνένδεκτόν1×
Key Verses
-
Luke 17:1
He said to the disciples, “It is impossible that no occasions of stumbling should come, but woe to him through whom they come!
Jesus uses this term to establish that stumbling blocks are an unavoidable reality in community life, not a sign of spiritual failure.