Quick Definition
I press upon, cramp, restrain
Strong's Definition
to hem in closely, i.e. (figuratively) cramp
Derivation: from the same as G4730 (στενοχωρία);
KJV Usage: distress, straiten
Thayer's Greek Lexicon
στενοχωρέω, στενοχώρω: (στενόχωρος; and this from στενός, and χῶρος a space);
1. intransitive, to be in a strait place (Machon in Athen. 13, p. 582 b.); to be narrow (Isa_49:19).
2. transitive, to straiten, compress, cramp, reduce to straits (Vulg.angustio) (Diodorus, Lucian, Herodian, others; (the Sept. Jos_17:15; Jdg_16:16; Isa_28:20; 4Ma_11:11)): passive tropically, of one sorely 'straitened' in spirit, 2Co_4:8; οὐ στενοχωρεῖσθε ἐν ἡμῖν, ye are not straitened in us, ample space is granted you in our souls, i. e. we enfold you with large affection, 2Co_6:12; στενοχωρεῖσθε ἐν τοῖς σπλάγχνοις ὑμῶν, ye are straitened your own affections, so that there is no room there for us, i. e. you do not grant a place in your heart for love toward me, ibid.
Mounce Concise Greek Dictionary
στενοχωρέω stenochōreō 3x
to crowd together into a narrow place, straiten; pass. met. to be in straits, to be cooped up, to be cramped from action, 2Co_4:8 ;
to be cramped in feeling, 2Co_6:12
Abbott-Smith Greek Lexicon
στενο -χωρέω , -ῶ
( < στενός + χῶρος , space ),
[in LXX : Jos_17:15 ( H213 ), Jdg_16:16 ( H509 pi .), Isa_28:19 (20) ( H7114 ) Isa_49:19 ( H6887 ), 4Ma_11:11 * ;]
1. to be straitened ( cf. Isa_49:19 ); metaph ., to be anxious ( Hipp ., al. ).
2. In late writers, trans., to straiten, compress ( LXX , Diod ., al. ; Papyri ap. MM , xxiii): pass ., trop., 2Co_4:8 ; 2Co_6:12 .†
Moulton & Milligan — Vocabulary of the Greek NT
στενοχωρέω [page 588]
For this late word, lit. keep in a tight place, cf. P Petr II. 12 (1) .13 (B.C. 241) ἐπεὶ στενοχωροῦμεν σταθμοῖς , since we are short of billets (Ed.). See also the Hawara papyrus in Archiv v. p. 381, No. 56 .3 (late i/A.D.) στενοχωρεῖν ἐν τῷ κ̣α̣ . . [.]ῳ οὐκ ἠδυνάσθη .
Liddell-Scott — Intermediate Greek Lexicon
στενοχωρέω στενοχωρέω, φυτ. -ήσω "to straiten for room", Luc. :—Pass. "to be crowded together": metaph. "to be straitened", NTest.
STEPBible — Tyndale Abridged Greek Lexicon
στενο-χωρέω, -ῶ
(στενός + χῶρος, space) [in LXX: Jos.17:15 (אוּץ), Jdg.16:16 (אָלַץ pi.), Isa.28:19 (20) (קָצַר) Isa.49:19 (צָרַר), 4Ma.11:11 * ;]
__1. to be straitened (cf. Isa.49:19); metaphorically, to be anxious (Hipp., al.).
__2. In late writers, trans., to straiten, compress (LXX, Diod., al.; π. ap. MM, xxiii): pass., trop., 2Co.4:8 6:12.†
(AS)
📖 In-Depth Word Study
Crushed (4729) stenochoreo
Crushed (4729) (stenochoreo from stenos = narrow + chora = space, territory [choros = a space]) means literally to restrict or to confine to a narrow or tight space, to be pressed for room (Josh 17:15 = "too narrow", Is 49:19 = "too cramped"). To be cooped up. To be cramped. Figuratively stenochoreo means to experience circumstances that seem to offer no way of escape (we've all had this feeling from time to time!) To feel "crushed" with difficulties. To oppress. To be in straits (strait is an archaic word which pictures one who is placed in difficulty or distress).
In 2Co 6:12 the idea is to be "cramped" in one's feelings toward another, to be cool or formal toward another or to be reserved = restrained in words and actions) toward another
The only other NT use is also in 2 Corinthians...
2 Corinthians 6:12 You are not restrained by us, but you are restrained in your own affections.
Comment: Paul says he had nothing to hinder his relationship with the Corinthians, whereas they were restrained toward him, in essence (playing on the literal meaning of stenochoreo) having "squeezed" him out of their lives, even closing their hearts to him! Why? Apparently they had bought into the lies perpetrated by the false teachers who sought to paint Paul's character and ministry in a negative light. This is a sad testimony that they believed liars instead of the truth spoken by Paul and that this would have been especially painful to Paul is a feeling we can all identify with for we have all be falsely accused. Paul may have been hurt but he was still a Spirit filled man and practiced the truth he penned that love "bears all things...endures all things." (1Co 13:7) Have you ever taught (or prepared to teach) a Biblical truth, only to have God bring you into a situation that gives you a chance to "live it out"?
Stenochoreo - 4x in the non-apocryphal Septuagint - Josh 17:15; Jdg 16:16; Isa 28:20; 49:19
Jdg 16:16 It came about when she (Delilah) pressed (Lxx = stenochoria - NLT "nagging") him (Samson) daily with her words and urged him, that his soul was annoyed to death.
BEWILDERED BUT NOT
BEFUDDLED!