Brief Overview of ἀπελπίζω (G560)

Meaning and Usage:

• General Definition: The Greek verb ἀπελπίζω (apelpizō) means “to lose hope” or “to be without hope.” It is used to describe a state of despair or hopelessness.
• Contextual Application: The term is often applied in contexts where there is a sense of abandonment or a lack of expectation for a positive outcome. It reflects a complete loss of confidence in future prospects.

Detailed Overview with Additional Concordances

Etymology and Lexicon References:

1. Strong’s Concordance (G560): Strong’s defines ἀπελπίζω (apelpizō) as “to lose hope” and translates it as “to despair” or “to be without hope.” This definition captures the essence of the term in the New Testament.
2. Thayer’s Greek Lexicon: Thayer’s adds that ἀπελπίζω implies a complete loss of hope. It describes a state where individuals feel despondent or without any expectation of improvement.
3. BDAG (Bauer-Danker-Arndt-Gingrich): BDAG provides a detailed entry for ἀπελπίζω, noting that it denotes a condition of despair or hopelessness. BDAG emphasizes its use in contexts where hope is entirely extinguished.
4. LSJ (Liddell-Scott-Jones): The LSJ Greek-English Lexicon similarly defines ἀπελπίζω as “to lose hope” and notes its use in literature to describe a state of being without hope. The lexicon confirms its application in both classical and New Testament Greek.

Biblical Context:

• Usage in Scripture: ἀπελπίζω appears in the New Testament, notably in contexts where individuals or groups are experiencing significant distress or where their situation seems hopeless. For example, in 2 Corinthians 1:8, Paul uses the term to describe severe afflictions that led him to a state of despair, feeling that they had “despaired even of life.”

In summary, ἀπελπίζω (G560) is a Greek term that conveys the idea of losing hope or being in a state of despair. Its usage in biblical texts reflects situations of deep distress and hopelessness, and its meaning is consistently supported by major Greek lexicons.