μόγις (mogis)
mogis
hardly
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The adverb mogis conveys the idea of doing something with great effort or barely succeeding. Derived from a root meaning "toil," it describes actions that are difficult to accomplish or outcomes that are only just achieved. In the New Testament, this word appears only once, in Luke 9:39.
There, it modifies how the demon leaves a boy after Jesus’ rebuke. The text states the spirit came out "with difficulty" (mogis), highlighting the resistance encountered even by divine authority. This usage underscores that spiritual deliverance can involve struggle, rather than always being instantaneous or effortless.
Translators typically render mogis as "hardly" or "with difficulty." The word’s etymological link to labor or pain adds weight to the scene, suggesting that the expulsion of the evil spirit was not a simple gesture but a forceful act against resistance. It serves as a rare biblical example of effort required in spiritual conflict.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word mogis appears only once in the New Testament, found in Luke 9:39. It describes a demon leaving a boy "with difficulty" or "hardly." This rare occurrence reminds us that spiritual battles are not always easy or quick. Even when Jesus acts with authority, there can be resistance and struggle involved in deliverance.
This truth offers comfort to those facing long-term challenges. You do not need to feel discouraged if your own struggles with sin, fear, or hardship seem persistent. The presence of difficulty does not mean God has abandoned you. Sometimes, breakthrough comes after a period of intense effort and waiting.
When you face moments where change feels slow, remember that God sees the struggle. He is present in the tension. Your faithfulness during these hard times is valued by Him. Rest in the assurance that His power is sufficient, even when the path forward seems narrow and difficult.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- with difficulty1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- μόγις1×
Key Verses
-
Luke 9:39
Behold, a spirit takes him, he suddenly cries out, and it convulses him so that he foams; and it hardly departs from him, bruising him severely.
This verse uniquely uses mogis to show that even divine authority faced resistance from the evil spirit, indicating that spiritual deliverance can involve significant struggle rather than being instantaneous.