To crowd (literally or figuratively)
Reading a lexicon entry
What this page is: Each lexicon entry shows the original Hebrew or Greek word behind the English translation: its meaning, its range of use, and where it appears in Scripture.
Strong's number: The Strong's code (H- or G-) is the standard reference number for this word. It connects this entry to chapter and passage language tabs.
Where it appears: The witness passages show where this word is used in context. Click any to open the study page for that passage.
This lexicon entry is part of our ongoing editorial review. If you notice missing content, unclear wording, or a possible correction, please send us a note through the Connect page. Screenshots are helpful.
6, where the local argument determines whether the emphasis is doctrinal, ethical, pastoral, or ministry-related. The companion therefore treats To Press On as a passage-governed word study rather than a detached lexical slogan.
Reader summary
Full entry for θλίβω (G2346) · Open the biblical lexicon
6, where the local argument determines whether the emphasis is doctrinal, ethical, pastoral, or ministry-related. The companion therefore treats To Press On as a passage-governed word study rather than a detached lexical slogan.
The BSB source-word alignment has 10 aligned rows for this entry. Common renderings include afflict (1), are oppressed (1), narrow (1), oppressed (1), suffer persecution (1).
The source-word alignment first shows this entry at Matthew 7:14. Its strongest book concentrations include 2 Corinthians (3), 2 Thessalonians (2), 1 Thessalonians (1), 1 Timothy (1).
G2346 is represented in this Pauline-focused companion by the reviewed display gloss "to press on." In Paul's letters, the term appears in passages such as 1Thess. 3. 4, 1Tim. 5. 10, 2Cor. 1. 6, where the local argument determines whether the emphasis is doctrinal, ethical, pastoral, or ministry-related. The companion therefore treats To Press On as a passage-governed word study rather than a detached lexical slogan.
It gives teachers a compact way to notice the term, compare several Pauline settings, and move toward application only after the immediate context has set the boundary. The aim is disciplined clarity: the Greek term can sharpen reading, but it does not replace the grammar, flow, and theological burden of the passage itself.
G2346 appears in Pauline contexts that require close attention to the passage. This companion uses three local anchors to keep the word to press on tied to Paul's argument and pastoral aim.
Indeed, when we were with you, we kept warning you that we would suffer persecution; and as you know, it has come to pass.
1Thess.3.4 anchors G2346 in a local Pauline context where to press on must be read from the argument of the passage rather than from a bare word list.
And well known for good deeds such as bringing up children, entertaining strangers, washing the feet of the saints, imparting relief to the afflicted, and devoting herself to every good work.
1Tim.5.10 shows another Pauline setting for the same term, helping teachers compare usage without forcing every occurrence to carry the same emphasis.
If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which accomplishes in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we experience.
2Cor.1.6 gives a further control text so doctrine and application remain passage-governed and not driven by the gloss alone.
BSB source-word alignment connects this entry to exact verse rows, English rendering, source form, transliteration, and parsing.
How English Renders ItA compact distribution from source-word alignment before the full evidence tables.
Greek word. To press or squeeze literally; metaphorically to oppress or afflict through external pressure or hardship.
To press or squeeze literally; metaphorically to oppress or afflict through external pressure or hardship.
to press: with accusative of person(s), Mrk.3:9; ὁδὸς τεθλιμμένη, a narrow (compressed) way, Mat.7:14. Metaphorical (as frequently in LXX), to oppress, afflict, distress: with accusative of person(s), 2Th.1:6; pass. (Vg., tribulor, tribulation em patior), 2Co.1:6 4:8 7:5, 1Th.3:4, 2Th.1:7, 1Ti.5:10, Heb.11:37 (cf. ἀπο-, συν-θλίβω).
Textus Receptus witness, full corpus Greek token appearances from Scrivener 1894 Textus Receptus in the full New Testament corpus.
10 Greek text appearances shown. Linked morphology labels have verse guides.
I make narrow, persecute, press hard
Read verseI make narrow, persecute, press hard
Read verseI make narrow, persecute, press hard
Read verseI make narrow, persecute, press hard
Read verseI make narrow, persecute, press hard
Read verseI make narrow, persecute, press hard
Read verseI make narrow, persecute, press hard
Read verseI make narrow, persecute, press hard
Read verseI make narrow, persecute, press hard
Read verseI make narrow, persecute, press hard
Read verseFull New Testament corpus: 260 chapters, 7,957 verses, 140,628 tokens. Data source: honza/textus-receptus (data only), with authority check against byztxt/greektext-textus-receptus.
How mood, tense, and voice shift the force of this verb in context.
This verb appears through different tense, voice, mood, or stem patterns. Those forms help readers see how the action is presented in context.
Verse guides are not available for this word yet, so verse references remain plain evidence markers.
How this verb appears across 9 occurrences in the NT discourse index (MACULA Greek SBLGNT).
Aspect reflects grammatical form — not authorial emphasis. Participles and infinitives are verbal adjectives and nouns respectively.
Clause data: MACULA Greek (Clear Bible, CC BY 4.0) · SBLGNT (Logos/SBL, CC BY 4.0)
Selected passage-level study witnesses for this word. This section is not the full occurrence list.
Showing 5 selected witnesses from 10 lexical occurrence verses.
θλίβω is built from this root:
Compound and idiomatic phrases that include this word. Follow a link to study the phrase and how its parts work together.
G2346 helps teachers slow down where English readers may move too quickly. The word can illuminate Paul's reasoning, but only when it is held inside the sentence, paragraph, and letter. Across 1Thess.3.4, 1Tim.5.10, 2Cor.1.6, the pastoral value is not novelty. It is the steady discipline of asking how the word serves Paul's gospel logic, church instruction, moral warning, or ministry encouragement in context.
1Thess.3.4
To press on is the reviewed display gloss for G2346. In this Pauline-focused companion, local STEP TAGNT evidence shows about 7 Pauline use(s), with common forms including V-PPP-NPM 2, V-PPP-DPM 2, V-PPI-1P 1. Treat these form signals as support for reading the passage, not as a replacement for context.
The Pauline use of G2346 should be joined to larger biblical theology only through the cited passages and their own contexts. This keeps to press on from becoming a free-floating doctrinal shortcut.
MorphGNT Strong's Dictionary XML — CC0 1.0 Public Domain
Open Scriptures Hebrew Bible (morphhb/OSHB) — CC BY 4.0
Open Scriptures Hebrew Lexicon — CC BY 4.0
Berean Standard Bible (BSB) source-word alignment - CC0 Public Domain