Brief Overview of ἀπεκδύομαι (Strong’s G554)

The Greek word ἀπεκδύομαι (apekdýomai) combines the prefix ἀπό (apo), meaning “from” or “away,” with the verb δύομαι (dýomai), meaning “to put on” or “to be clothed.” Thus, ἀπεκδύομαι means “to put off” or “to take off” garments or clothing. It is used metaphorically to refer to the act of discarding or removing something, often associated with shedding old habits, behaviors, or states of being.

Detailed Overview

1. Strong’s Concordance: Strong’s defines ἀπεκδύομαι as “to put off” or “to take off” garments, which extends metaphorically to the removal or discarding of non-physical things, such as behaviors or attitudes.
2. Bauer-Danker-Arndt-Gingrich (BDAG) Greek-English Lexicon: BDAG provides a more nuanced definition, noting that ἀπεκδύομαι means “to put off” or “to lay aside,” often used in a metaphorical sense to refer to putting away or discarding certain practices, behaviors, or attitudes. This term is used in contexts where one is advised or commanded to abandon previous ways in favor of new ones.
3. Liddell-Scott-Jones (LSJ) Greek-English Lexicon: LSJ defines ἀπεκδύομαι as “to take off” or “to put off,” specifically referring to clothing but also used metaphorically to describe the removal or abandonment of certain qualities or states. The lexicon highlights the transition from one state to another through the act of removing or putting off.
4. Thayer’s Greek-English Lexicon: Thayer’s describes ἀπεκδύομαι as “to put off” or “to take off,” focusing on its metaphorical use in the context of shedding old ways, behaviors, or attributes in favor of new ones. The term implies a deliberate action of removal or discarding.

In summary, ἀπεκδύομαι (apekdýomai) denotes the act of removing or taking off, both literally (as in clothing) and metaphorically (as in habits or behaviors). It reflects a process of shedding or discarding something old to make way for something new, emphasizing a transformative action.