"with difficulty, scarcely, hardly, Acts 14:18; 27:7, 8, 16; Rom. 5:7; 1 Pet. 4:18*"
Definition and meaning
with difficulty, scarcely, hardly, Acts 14:18; 27:7, 8, 16; Rom. 5:7; 1 Pet. 4:18*
In the original Greek the word is written: μόλις
Historical context
The Roman Empire provided infrastructure no previous civilization had built — roads, sea routes, a common language in Greek, and relative peace across the Mediterranean. Jewish synagogues existed in every major city, giving Paul a starting point everywhere he traveled. The early church had no buildings, no political power, no social standing — and spread faster than any movement in ancient history.
The people who first heard this word were not reading a book — they were living through empires, oppression, exile, and covenant. Every word carried the weight of that reality. Understanding it changes how you read Scripture.
Scripture references
These are the most notable occurrences of molis (G3433) across the King James Bible.
And with these sayings scarce restrained they the people, that they had not done sacrifice unto them.
And when we had sailed slowly many days, and scarce were come over against Cnidus, the wind not suffering us, we sailed under Crete, over against Salmone;
And, hardly passing it, came unto a place which is called The fair havens; nigh whereunto was the city of Lasea.
And running under a certain island which is called Clauda, we had much work to come by the boat:
For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die.
And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?
Refiner gives you the full lexicon entry, AI-powered verse insight, historical commentary, cross-references, and voice study — all in one place.
Free to start · Disciple $4.99/mo · Shepherd $9.99/mo
Common questions
Strong's G3433 (molis) is a Greek word that means: with difficulty, scarcely, hardly, Acts 14:18; 27:7, 8, 16; Rom. 5:7; 1 Pet. 4:18* It appears 6 times in the King James Bible.
The word molis (G3433) appears 6 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G3433 is molis, a Greek word defined as: with difficulty, scarcely, hardly, Acts 14:18; 27:7, 8, 16; Rom. 5:7; 1 Pet. 4:18*. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
molis is a Greek word found in the New Testament.