ἀναγκαστῶς
anankastōs
G317 adverb
SILEX Entry
Definition
In a manner compelled by necessity or force; under compulsion, not voluntarily. Used adverbially to describe actions carried out due to external pressure, obligation, or coercion, rather than by one's own free will. The semantic range includes acting through necessity, under duress, or by requirement of circumstances or another's authority.
Semantic Range
under compulsion, by constraint, out of necessity, not voluntarily, due to external pressure, by force, because of necessity
Root / Etymology
From ἀναγκάζω ('to force, compel, constrain'), itself derived from ἀνάγκη ('necessity, constraint'). ἀναγκαστῶς is the adverbial form, indicating the manner of acting with compulsion.
Historical & Contextual Notes
Attested in Koine Greek, ἀναγκαστῶς appears rarely, primarily in later Hellenistic and Christian literature. In the New Testament, it notably occurs in contexts emphasizing actions not freely chosen, but carried out because of some external compulsion or unavoidable necessity (e.g., Galatians 2:14: οὐκ ἀναγκαστῶς 'not by compulsion'). The term is distinct from other adverbs that describe voluntary or willing action (such as ἑκουσίως 'willingly'). Traditional English translations often render it as 'by constraint' or 'compulsorily,' but may not fully convey the spectrum from social coercion to unavoidable circumstances. The concept is grounded in Hellenistic understandings of necessity (ἀνάγκη), a force external to the individual's will, in contrast to action arising from conscious intent or choice.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
adverb from a derivative of ἀναγκάζω; compulsorily:--by constraint.
Root Family
ἀναγκαστῶς (anankastōs) — to force, to compel, to act by necessity
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G317-01 |
ἀναγκαστῶς | anagkastos | ADV |
under compulsion | under compulsion | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G317-01 |
1 Peter 5:2 | ἀναγκαστῶς | anagkastos | ADV |
under compulsion | under compulsion |