The term "constrain" in the biblical context often refers to compelling or urging someone to take a particular action. It is used to describe a strong persuasion or force that leads individuals to act in accordance with God's will or to fulfill a specific purpose. The concept of constraining is seen throughout Scripture, where divine influence or human urgency prompts action.

Biblical Usage:

1. Divine Compulsion:
In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul speaks of being constrained by the love of Christ. In 2 Corinthians 5:14 , Paul writes, "For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that One died for all, therefore all died." Here, the term "compels" is synonymous with "constrains," indicating that the overwhelming love of Christ drives believers to live for Him and spread the Gospel.

2. Human Urgency:
The concept of constraining is also evident in the actions of individuals who urge others to follow a certain path. In Luke 14:23 , Jesus tells a parable where a master instructs his servant, "Go out to the highways and hedges and compel them to come in, so that my house will be full." The servant is to "compel" or "constrain" people to attend the banquet, symbolizing the urgency of inviting others into the kingdom of God.

3. Restraining Influence:
Constraining can also imply a restraining influence, where individuals are held back from certain actions. In Acts 16:6-7 , Paul and his companions are described as being "kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia." The Spirit constrained them, redirecting their mission according to divine guidance.

Theological Implications:

· Divine Sovereignty and Human Responsibility:
The concept of constraining highlights the interplay between divine sovereignty and human responsibility. While God may constrain individuals through His Spirit or circumstances, humans are still responsible for responding to His leading. This dynamic is evident in the life of Paul, who, though constrained by Christ's love, actively chose to dedicate his life to missionary work.

· The Power of Love:
The constraining power of Christ's love is a central theme in Christian theology. It emphasizes that the love of Christ is not passive but actively compels believers to live transformed lives. This love is a driving force that motivates Christians to serve others and share the Gospel.

· Urgency of the Gospel:
The use of "constrain" in the context of evangelism underscores the urgency of the Gospel message. Believers are called to compel others to come to Christ, reflecting the importance of salvation and the eternal consequences of accepting or rejecting the Gospel.

Practical Application:

· Living Under Christ's Compulsion:
Christians are encouraged to live under the compulsion of Christ's love, allowing it to guide their actions and decisions. This involves a daily commitment to align one's life with the teachings of Jesus and to be a witness to His transformative power.

· Compelling Others with Grace:
In evangelism, believers are to compel others with grace and love, not through coercion or force. The invitation to follow Christ should be extended with compassion and understanding, reflecting the heart of the Gospel.

· Discernment in Restraint:
Understanding when the Holy Spirit is constraining or redirecting one's path requires discernment. Believers are encouraged to seek God's guidance through prayer and Scripture, being open to His leading even when it means changing plans or directions.1. (v. t.) To secure by bonds; to chain; to bond or confine; to hold tightly; to constringe.

2. (v. t.) To bring into a narrow compass; to compress.

3. (v. t.) To hold back by force; to restrain; to repress.

4. (v. t.) To compel; to force; to necessitate; to oblige.

5. (v. t.) To violate; to ravish.

6. (v. t.) To produce in such a manner as to give an unnatural effect; as, a constrained voice.

CONSTRAIN

kon-stran': Generally in the sense of pressing urgently (2 Kings 4:8 Luke 24:29 Acts 16:15), to impel or carry away (2 Corinthians 5:14); sometimes to be compelled of necessity (Job 32:18 Acts 28:19; compare Galatians 6:12).

See COMPEL.

315. anagkazo -- to necessitate, compel
... of Speech: Verb Transliteration: anagkazo Phonetic Spelling: (an-ang-kad'-zo) Short
Definition: I force, compel Definition: I force, compel, constrain, urge. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/315.htm - 7k

3849. parabiazomai -- to force against (nature)
... nature). Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: parabiazomai Phonetic Spelling:
(par-ab-ee-ad'-zom-ahee) Short Definition: I urge, constrain by entreaties ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3849.htm - 7k

4912. sunecho -- to hold together, to hold fast, pass. to be ...
... custody (1), suffering (2). constrain, hold, keep in. From sun and echo;
to hold together, ie To compress (the ears, with a crowd ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4912.htm - 7k

6693. tsuq -- to constrain, bring into straits, press upon
... tsuq. 6694 . to constrain, bring into straits, press upon. Transliteration: tsuq
Phonetic Spelling: (tsook) Short Definition: oppress. Word Origin a prim. ...
/hebrew/6693.htm - 6k

597. anas -- to compel, constrain
... 596, 597. anas. 598 . to compel, constrain. Transliteration: anas Phonetic
Spelling: (aw-nas') Short Definition: compulsion. Word Origin a prim. ...
/hebrew/597.htm - 5k

2388. chazaq -- to be or grow firm or strong, strengthen
... aid, amend, catch, cleave, confirm, be constant, constrain,. A primitive root;
to fasten upon; hence, to seize, be strong (figuratively ...
/hebrew/2388.htm - 8k

That Anger must be Overcome, Lest it Constrain us to Sin.
... Third Book. 8. That anger must be overcome, lest it constrain us to sin.
In Solomon in the Proverbs: "Better is a patient man than ...
/.../cyprian/three books of testimonies against the jews/8 that anger must be.htm

Seasons of Covenanting.
... But as it is sinful to defer religious exercises till affliction, presenting the
prospect of death, constrain to attempt them, so it is wrong to imagine, that ...
/.../cunningham/the ordinance of covenanting/chapter xv seasons of covenanting.htm

Dining with a Pharisee. Sabbath Healing and Three Lessons ...
... return. His teaching is positive rather than negative, and should constrain
us to live more for charity and less for sociability. ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/xc dining with a pharisee.htm

Prayer for and with Each Other.
... The mere fact of being chosen by the Father and redeemed by the Son does not constrain
us to love; it is the act of the Holy Spirit, who, revealing to our ...
/.../kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/xliii prayer for and with.htm

"For if Ye Live after the Flesh, Ye Shall Die, but if Ye through ...
... might simply command obedience, and without any more persuasions either leave men
to the frowardness of their own natures, or else powerfully constrain them to ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon xxxiv for if ye.htm

Of the First Covenant.
... Again, what way more fit and suitable to stir up and constrain Adam unto a willing
and constant obedience, when he had the encouragement of such a gracious ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/lecture xxii of the first.htm

Concerning the Power of the Civil Magistrate in Matters Purely ...
... And if it was not according to the wisdom of Christ, who was and is King of kings,
by outward force to constrain others to believe him or receive him, as being ...
/.../proposition xiv concerning the power.htm

Lovest Thou Me?
... Thou didst have one sweet visit from him in the week, and why didst thou let
him go? Why didst thou not constrain him to abide with thee? ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 3 1857/lovest thou me.htm

Catholic Spirit
... according to the best light he has. Nor has any creature power to constrain
another to walk by his own rule. God has given no right to ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 39 catholic spirit.htm

A New Year's Benediction
... and the new-born man who is moved by sublimer motives, namely, motives that touch
his heart, that move his regenerated nature, and that constrain him, out of ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 60 1914/a new years benediction.htm

Constrain (6 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. CONSTRAIN. ...Constrain (6 Occurrences). Matthew
5:41 And whoever shall constrain thee to go one mile, go with him two. (WBS). ...
/c/constrain.htm - 9k

Compel (10 Occurrences)
... 1. (vt) To drive or urge with force, or irresistibly; to force; to constrain;
to oblige; to necessitate, either by physical or moral force. ...
/c/compel.htm - 12k

Tie (18 Occurrences)
... 11. (vt) To hold or constrain by authority or moral influence, as by knotted
cords; to oblige; to constrain; to restrain; to confine. 12. ...
/t/tie.htm - 13k

Constrained (14 Occurrences)
... 1. (imp. & pp) of Constrain. 2. (a.) Marked by constraint; not free; not voluntary;
embarrassed; as, a constrained manner; a constrained tone. ...
/c/constrained.htm - 10k

Obligate (2 Occurrences)
... 2. (vt) To bind or firmly hold to an act; to compel; to constrain; to bind to any
act of duty or courtesy by a formal pledge. Multi-Version Concordance ...
/o/obligate.htm - 7k

Oblige (1 Occurrence)
... 1. (vt) To attach, as by a bond. 2. (vt) To constrain by physical, moral, or legal
force; to put under obligation to do or forbear something. ...
/o/oblige.htm - 7k

Gaal (10 Occurrences)
... 9:31 He sent messengers to Abimelech craftily, saying, "Behold, Gaal the son of
Ebed and his brothers are come to Shechem; and behold, they constrain the city ...
/g/gaal.htm - 10k

Incite (5 Occurrences)
... And he sent messengers unto Abimelech craftily, saying, Behold, Gaal the son of
Ebed and his brethren are come to Shechem; and, behold, they constrain the city ...
/i/incite.htm - 7k

Famish (2 Occurrences)
... 3. (vt) To kill, or to cause to suffer extremity, by deprivation or denial of
anything necessary. 4. (vt) To force or constrain by famine. ...
/f/famish.htm - 8k

Force (250 Occurrences)
... 9. (n.) To constrain to do or to forbear, by the exertion of a power not resistible;
to compel by physical, moral, or intellectual means; to coerce; as ...
/f/force.htm - 40k

Is it wrong to force a conversion? What role should coercion play in religion? | GotQuestions.org

Constrain: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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