Brief Overview of ἀποδίδωμι (G591)

Meaning and Usage:

• General Definition: The Greek verb ἀποδίδωμι (apodidōmi) primarily means “to give back” or “to render.” It encompasses various nuances, including returning something to its rightful owner, giving in payment, or fulfilling a duty.
• Contextual Usage: This term can be used in various contexts such as repaying a debt, rendering justice, or delivering a result. It implies the act of returning or giving something that is due or owed.

Detailed Overview with Additional Concordances

Etymology and Lexicon References:

1. Strong’s Concordance (G591): Strong’s defines ἀποδίδωμι as “to give back” or “to render.” It is used to describe actions such as returning what is owed or giving in response to a claim or demand.
2. Thayer’s Greek Lexicon: Thayer’s defines ἀποδίδωμι as “to give back, return” and includes the meanings “to repay” or “to render.” It highlights the verb’s use in contexts where something is returned to its rightful owner or where a payment is made.
3. BDAG (Bauer-Danker-Arndt-Gingrich): BDAG describes ἀποδίδωμι as “to give back, repay, render.” It notes that the term is used in various contexts, including repaying a debt, fulfilling an obligation, or rendering justice.
4. LSJ (Liddell-Scott-Jones): LSJ defines ἀποδίδωμι as “to give back, return,” with a focus on its application to returning something that was taken or owed. It also includes the idea of giving something in payment or fulfilling a promise.

Biblical Context:

• Usage in Scripture: In the New Testament, ἀποδίδωμι appears in passages such as Matthew 22:21, where Jesus uses the term in the context of rendering to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s. It emphasizes the notion of giving back or fulfilling obligations in both a financial and spiritual sense. Another example is in Romans 13:7, where Paul discusses rendering to each person what is owed to them, including taxes and honor.

In summary, ἀποδίδωμι (G591) is a versatile Greek verb meaning “to give back” or “to render,” used to denote the act of returning something owed, making a payment, or fulfilling an obligation. Greek lexicons and biblical references provide a comprehensive understanding of its usage in various contexts of returning, repaying, or rendering duties.