Bible Dictionary
COMPEL
To compel means to press, force, or strongly urge someone to act. In the New Testament it can describe impressing a person into service or applying earnest moral persuasion, but it does not authorize forcing people to believe.
Definition
To compel means to press, force, or strongly urge someone to act. The pressure may be physical, official, or moral, and in some contexts “constrain” better expresses the meaning.
Biblical Usage
New Testament examples include impressing a person into service and compelling Simon to carry Jesus’ cross. The command to compel people to come in means to use earnest zeal and moral urgency, not to force belief.
Historical Background
The term connected with impressing derives from Persian royal couriers who could press horses, vessels, or men into service when necessary.
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>kom-pel': Our English word always has in it now the flavor of force, not always, however, physical. It may be strong moral urgency, though "constrain" better expresses this.</p><p>1. In the Old Testament:</p><p>There are several words indicative of such strong pressure:</p><p>(1) 'anac "to press": "none could compel" to drink (Es 1:8);</p><p>(2) nadhach, "to drive," "force": "compelled Judah thereto" (the King James Version, the Revised Version, margin); "led Judah astray" the Revised Version (British and American) (2Ch 21:11). The same word rendered "force," as the adulteress by flattering words her victim (Pr 7:21);</p><p>(3) 'adhadh, "to serve": not to compel him to serve as a bond servant (Le 25:39 the King James Version, the Revised Version (British and American) "make him serve");</p><p>(4) parats, "to break forth upon," "urge": "his servants compelled him" (1Sa 28:23 the King James Version, the Revised Version (British and American) "constrained").</p><p>2. In the New Testament:</p><p>In the New Testament two words are found:</p><p>(1) aggareuo: The word is of Persian origin and means to employ a courier. The Aggaroi were public couriers stationed by appointment of the kings of Persia, at fixed localities, with horses ready for use, to transmit speedily from one to another the royal messages. These couriers had authority to press into their service, in case of need, horses, vessels, and even men, they might meet (Josephus, Ant, XIII ii, 3); "compel thee to go a mile" (Mt 5:41 the King James Version; the Revised Version, margin "impress"); "compelled Simon to bear his cross" (Mt 27:32; Mr 15:21 the King James Version; the Revised Version, margin "impressed").</p><p>(2) anagkazo, "to constrain," whether by force, threats, entreaties, persuasion, etc.: "compel them to come in" (Lu 14:23 the King James Version; the Revised Version (British and American) "constrain"). This has been a favorite text of religious persecutors. As Robertson says in his history of Charles V, "As they could not persuade, they tried to compel men to believe." But it simply means that utmost zeal and moral urgency should be used by Christians to induce sinners to enter the Kingdom of God. Compare Ac 26:11.</p><p>George Henry Trever</p>