In the context of the Bible, "hindrance" refers to anything that obstructs or impedes spiritual growth, the work of God, or the believer's walk with Christ. The concept of hindrance is addressed in various passages, highlighting both external and internal factors that can impede one's faith journey.

Scriptural References:

1. Galatians 5:7 · "You were running so well. Who has obstructed you from obeying the truth?" . In this passage, the Apostle Paul addresses the Galatian church, expressing concern over influences that have diverted them from the truth of the Gospel. This verse underscores the idea that false teachings or misleading influences can serve as hindrances to spiritual progress.

2. Hebrews 12:1 · "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off every encumbrance and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with endurance the race set out for us." . Here, the author of Hebrews encourages believers to remove any obstacles, including sin, that hinder their spiritual race. The imagery of a race suggests that hindrances can slow down or even prevent believers from reaching their spiritual goals.

3. 1 Peter 3:7 · "Husbands, in the same way, treat your wives with consideration as a delicate vessel, and with honor as fellow heirs of the gracious gift of life, so that your prayers will not be hindered." . This verse highlights how relational dynamics, particularly within marriage, can affect one's spiritual life. A lack of understanding and honor in relationships can become a hindrance to effective prayer.

4. Romans 14:13 · "Therefore let us stop judging one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother’s way." . Paul advises the Roman church to avoid actions that could become stumbling blocks to others. This passage emphasizes the responsibility of believers to ensure their actions do not hinder the faith of others.

5. 1 Thessalonians 2:18 · "For we wanted to come to you—indeed I, Paul, tried again and again—but Satan obstructed us." . Paul acknowledges the spiritual warfare aspect of hindrances, attributing his inability to visit the Thessalonians to satanic opposition. This highlights the reality of spiritual forces that can hinder the work of the Gospel.

Theological Insights:

Hindrances can be both external and internal. External hindrances include false teachings, persecution, and spiritual opposition, while internal hindrances often involve personal sin, doubt, and relational conflicts. The Bible encourages believers to be vigilant and proactive in identifying and removing these obstacles.

The role of community is also significant in overcoming hindrances. Believers are called to support one another, ensuring that their actions do not become stumbling blocks to others. The communal aspect of faith is vital in maintaining a clear path for spiritual growth.

Furthermore, the Bible presents prayer and reliance on the Holy Spirit as essential tools in overcoming hindrances. Through prayer, believers can seek divine assistance in removing obstacles, while the Holy Spirit provides guidance and strength to persevere.

In summary, the concept of hindrance in the Bible serves as a reminder of the various challenges believers face in their spiritual journey. By recognizing and addressing these hindrances, Christians can continue to grow in their faith and fulfill their God-given purposes.1. (n.) An obstacle; an impediment.

2. (n.) The act of hindering, or the state of being hindered.

1464. egkope -- a hindrance
... a hindrance. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: egkope Phonetic Spelling:
(eng-kop-ay') Short Definition: an impediment, hindrance Definition: an ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1464.htm - 6k

209. akolutos -- without hindrance
... without hindrance. Part of Speech: Adverb Transliteration: akolutos Phonetic Spelling:
(ak-o-loo'-toce) Short Definition: freely, without hindrance Definition ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/209.htm - 6k

3591. ogkos -- bulk, an encumbrance
... weight. Probably from the same as agkale; a mass (as bending or bulging by its load),
ie Burden (hindrance) -- weight. see GREEK agkale. (onkon) -- 1 Occurrence ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3591.htm - 6k

2139. euperistatos -- easily encircling
... well-planted all-around, describing what is encompassing (encircling), ie surrounding,
"wholly around"; (figuratively) a serious hindrance that "" (hampers ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2139.htm - 7k

563. aperispastos -- without distraction
... distracted. 563 (an adverb, from 1 "without" and 4049 , "distract") --
properly, without distraction (hindrance). 563 () occurs ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/563.htm - 7k

4622. matsor -- a restraint, hindrance
... a restraint, hindrance. Transliteration: matsor Phonetic Spelling: (mah-tsore')
Short Definition: restrained. ... From atsar; objectively, a hindrance -- restraint. ...
/hebrew/4622.htm - 6k

Whether Hope is a Help or a Hindrance to Action?
... OF THE IRASCIBLE PASSIONS, AND FIRST, OF HOPE AND DESPAIR (EIGHT ARTICLES)
Whether hope is a help or a hindrance to action? Objection ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether hope is a help.htm

Of Another Hindrance
... THE SECOND BOOK CHAPTER XXXI. OF ANOTHER HINDRANCE. If a man thus falls into
sickness and cold, he is sometimes caught by dropsy, that ...
/.../the adornment of the spritual marriage/chapter xxxi of another hindrance.htm

How Covetousness is a Hindrance to all virtues.
... Prolegomena. Chapter VIII. How covetousness is a hindrance to all virtues.
With such strides then in a downward direction he goes ...
/.../cassian/the works of john cassian /chapter viii how covetousness is.htm

How the First of These Calls is of no Use to a Sluggard, and the ...
... Second Conference of Abbot Moses. Chapter V. How the first of these calls is of
no use to a sluggard, and the last is no hindrance to one who is in earnest. ...
/.../cassian/the works of john cassian /chapter v how the first.htm

The Third State of Prayer. The Effects Thereof. The Hindrance ...
... Chapter XVII. The Third State of Prayer. The Effects Thereof. The Hindrance
Caused by the Imagination and the Memory. 1. Enough ...
/.../teresa/the life of st teresa of jesus/chapter xvii the third state.htm

The Twenty-Seventh Chapter: Self-Love is the Greatest Hindrance to ...
... BOOK THREE. INTERNAL CONSOLATION The Twenty-Seventh Chapter: Self-Love is the
Greatest Hindrance to the Highest Good. The Voice of Christ ...
/.../kempis/the imitation of christ/the twenty-seventh chapter self-love is.htm

Whether Sobriety is by Itself a Special virtue?
... Hence wherever we find a special hindrance to reason, there must needs
be a special virtue to remove it. Now intoxicating drink ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether sobriety is by itself.htm

He Then Discusses the "Willing" of the Father Concerning the ...
... not accompany the act of will, since no cause can either bring it about that that
which befits the Father should not always be, or be any hindrance to the ...
/.../gregory/gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/section 2 he then discusses.htm

Hence Arises Another Question; for Peradventure one May Say...
... Or did they occasion an hindrance to the Gospel, because blessed Paul saith that
he had not used this power on purpose that he might not cause any hindrance to ...
/.../augustine/of the work of monks /section 23 hence arises another.htm

The Religion of Man
... various ways. The first great hindrance is self-will and the love of created
things. "The next are the seven Sacraments. People ...
/.../bevan/three friends of god/chapter xxi the religion of.htm

Hindrance (5 Occurrences)
...Hindrance (5 Occurrences). ... (See RSV). 1 Corinthians 8:9 But take care lest this liberty
of yours should prove a hindrance to the progress of weak believers. ...
/h/hindrance.htm - 8k

Obstacle (6 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) That which stands in the way, or opposes; anything
that hinders progress; a hindrance; an obstruction, physical or moral. ...
/o/obstacle.htm - 8k

Let (16815 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) A retarding; hindrance; obstacle; impediment; delay; -- common in
the phrase without let or hindrance, but elsewhere archaic. ...
/l/let.htm - 8k

Yield (78 Occurrences)
... 9. (vi) To give way; to cease opposition; to be no longer a hindrance or an obstacle;
as, men readily yield to the current of opinion, or to customs; the door ...
/y/yield.htm - 30k

Quite (55 Occurrences)
... (See NAS). Acts 28:31 preaching the Kingdom of God, and teaching the things concerning
the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness, without hindrance. (See RSV). ...
/q/quite.htm - 22k

Obstruction (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) That which impedes; an obstacle; a hindrance.
2. (n.) The condition of having the natural powers ...
/o/obstruction.htm - 6k

Openness (2 Occurrences)
... Acts 28:31 preaching the Kingdom of God, and teaching the things concerning the
Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness, without hindrance. (See NAS). ...
/o/openness.htm - 7k

Jurisdiction (4 Occurrences)
... It is derived from the word exesti, and suggests the absence of any hindrance
to an act. It contains the idea of right and might (Cremer). ...
/j/jurisdiction.htm - 9k

Limit (115 Occurrences)
... 3. (vt) That which terminates a period of time; hence, the period itself; the full
time or extent. 4. (n.) A restriction; a check; a curb; a hindrance. ...
/l/limit.htm - 36k

God's (602 Occurrences)
... Matthew 16:23 But He turned and said to Peter, "Get behind me, Adversary; you are
a hindrance to me, because your thoughts are not God's thoughts, but men's ...
/g/god's.htm - 33k

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