παρενοχλέω (parenochleō)
parenochleō
to trouble
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb parenochleō describes the act of causing trouble or annoyance in a specific matter. It combines the prefix para, meaning "beside" or "concerning," with enochleo, which means to disturb or harass. This construction suggests that the disturbance is directed at someone regarding a particular issue, rather than being a general state of chaos.
In the New Testament, this word appears only once, in Acts 15:19. The apostle James uses it when advising the Jerusalem council not to place unnecessary burdens on Gentile believers who are turning to God. He argues against making them "troubled" or "harassed" with additional requirements beyond faith.
The term carries a sense of practical interference. It is not merely about emotional upset but about creating obstacles or difficulties in someone’s path. By choosing this word, the text highlights the weight of unnecessary demands and the wisdom of removing them to allow others to follow their faith without hindrance.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word parenochleō appears only once in the New Testament, carrying a specific meaning: to cause trouble or annoyance by placing unnecessary burdens on someone. In Acts 15:19, James uses it to advise the early church leaders not to harass Gentile believers with extra rules beyond faith in Jesus. This highlights how our actions can create practical obstacles for others in their spiritual journey.
For your daily life, this word invites you to consider how you interact with those around you. Are you adding weight to someone’s path through demands, criticism, or rigid expectations? Or are you helping them walk freely in their faith? It is a gentle reminder that love often means removing barriers rather than building them.
When we choose to lighten the load for others, we reflect the grace we have received. This simple shift in attitude can bring peace to relationships and allow others to focus on what truly matters: following God without distraction or undue pressure.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- to trouble1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- παρενοχλεῖν1×
Key Verses
-
Acts 15:19
Therefore my judgment is that we don’t trouble those from among the Gentiles who turn to God,
James uses this rare verb to explicitly forbid placing unnecessary burdens on Gentile converts, defining the boundary between faith and legalism.