The Greek verb enkoptō (ἐγκόπτω) means 'to cut into' (from en- + koptō, 'to cut'). In military usage it referred to breaking up a road to impede an enemy's advance. In the New Testament it is used metaphorically to mean to hinder, impede, or prevent, appearing in Acts 24:4; Romans 15:22; Galatians 5:7; 1 Thessalonians 2:18; 1 Peter 3:7.
Paul's use of enkoptō in 1 Thessalonians 2:18 is striking: 'We wanted to come to you... but Satan blocked our way [enkoptō].' This is one of the New Testament's clearest statements that spiritual opposition can impede ministry — and Paul attributes it directly to Satan. Yet Paul does not despair; he responds by sending Timothy and eventually coming himself. In Galatians 5:7, Paul asks: 'You were running a good race. Who cut in on you [enkoptō] and kept you from obeying the truth?' The metaphor of cutting into a runner's path to knock them off course describes the work of false teachers. The proper response is not to slow down but to identify and remove whatever is impeding the race.