ὄγκος (ogkos)
ogkos
impediment
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun ogkos literally refers to a physical bulk or mass, describing something that protrudes or stands out in size. In the New Testament, this concrete sense is applied metaphorically to describe anything that weighs down or hinders movement. It appears only once in Scripture, in Hebrews 12:1, where it characterizes the obstacles that slow spiritual progress.
The text urges believers to lay aside every ogkos, treating these hindrances like heavy baggage that must be discarded to run a race with endurance. While synonyms exist for general burdens, this word emphasizes the sheer volume or prominence of the encumbrance itself. The imagery suggests that these are not just minor irritations, but substantial weights that physically impede forward motion.
This usage highlights the need for deliberate removal rather than mere management. By identifying these "masses" of distraction or sin, the author encourages a focused approach to faith. The word serves as a vivid reminder that spiritual efficiency requires shedding what is unnecessarily heavy, allowing for unimpeded progress toward the goal.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word ogkos describes something large, bulky, or heavy enough to slow you down. In Hebrews 12:1, it refers to anything that weighs on your spiritual life. These are not necessarily sins, but distractions, worries, or habits that take up space and energy. They block your path just as a heavy rock blocks a runner’s stride.
God invites you to look at what is holding you back and set it aside. This is not about perfection, but about freedom. When you remove these hindrances, you can run with endurance. The goal is not to struggle against the weight, but to lay it down so you can move forward in peace.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- weight1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ὄγκον1×
Key Verses
-
Hebrews 12:1
Therefore let’s also, seeing we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, lay aside every weight and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let’s run with perseverance the race that is set before us,
This verse uses ogkos to describe non-sinful burdens that hinder spiritual progress, distinguishing them from the 'sin which so easily entangles' mentioned immediately after.