Understanding ἀποδίδωμι (apodidōmi) Strong’s G591: The Divine Principle of Rendering What is Due in God’s Perfect Justice and Reward

Pronunciation Guide: ah-po-DEE-doe-mee

Basic Definition

Strong’s G591: ἀποδίδωμι (apodidōmi) fundamentally means “to give back, return, or render what is due.” This compound verb combines ἀπό (from, away from) with δίδωμι (to give), creating the foundational concept of giving back or returning something to its rightful source. In biblical usage, it carries the profound theological weight of both divine recompense and human responsibility, whether in judgment or reward.

Etymology and Morphology

• Compound verb formed from ἀπό (from) + δίδωμι (to give)
• Primary usage in narrative and teaching passages
• Frequently appears in contexts of divine judgment and reward
• Common in commercial and legal terminology
• Prominent in wisdom literature and prophetic texts

ἀποδίδωμι Morphology:

• ἀποδίδωμι (present active indicative) – I give back/render
• ἀποδώσω (future active indicative) – I will give back/render
• ἀπέδωκα (aorist active indicative) – I gave back/rendered
• ἀποδοθήσεται (future passive indicative) – it will be given back/rendered
• ἀπόδος (aorist active imperative) – give back!/render!
• ἀποδιδόναι (present active infinitive) – to give back/to render

Origin & History

The term ἀποδίδωμι has deep roots in classical Greek literature, where it primarily functioned in commercial and legal contexts. Plato employs it in “Republic” (331d) when discussing justice as “giving to each what is owed.” Aristotle uses it extensively in “Nicomachean Ethics” when examining reciprocity in human relationships and justice.

In the Septuagint, ἀποδίδωμι takes on enhanced theological significance, frequently translating the Hebrew שָׁלַם (shalam) and שׁוּב (shuv). It becomes a key term in expressing יהוה (Yahweh)’s perfect justice and faithfulness in both judgment and blessing. The word appears prominently in wisdom literature, particularly in Proverbs, where it describes the natural and divine consequences of human actions.

The early church fathers, particularly Clement of Rome in his First Epistle (Chapter 33), extensively used ἀποδίδωμι when discussing divine judgment and the faithful fulfillment of duties before God. Justin Martyr in his “First Apology” employs it to describe God’s righteous rendering of eternal rewards and punishments.

Expanded Definitions & Translation Options

• To give back or return what is due, whether in payment, reward, or punishment
• To fulfill an obligation or promise
• To render account or recompense
• To pay back or repay, both literally and figuratively
• To restore or give back in full measure

ἀποδίδωμι Translation Options:

• “Render” – Best captures the sense of giving what is rightfully due, especially in contexts of divine justice
• “Repay” – Appropriate for contexts involving debt or recompense
• “Give back” – Useful for literal returns of objects or fulfilling obligations
• “Reward” – Fitting for contexts of divine blessing or positive recompense
• “Pay” – Suitable for commercial contexts while maintaining the sense of obligation

Biblical Usage

The New Testament employs ἀποδίδωμι in various contexts that span both divine and human activity. Its first appearance in Matthew 5:26 sets a tone of absolute necessity in rendering what is due. The word carries particular weight in passages dealing with divine judgment, where it emphasizes the certainty of God’s righteous recompense.

In teachings about human responsibility, ἀποδίδωμι often appears in contexts of prayer (Matthew 6:6), vows (Matthew 5:33), and ethical obligations (Romans 13:7). The term underscores the moral imperative of fulfilling one’s duties before both God and man.

Significant appearances include:

• “Truly I say to you, you will not come out of there until you have paid [ἀποδίδωμι] the last penny.” Matthew 5:26
• “Then your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward [ἀποδίδωμι] you.” Matthew 6:6
• “Render [ἀποδίδωμι] to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s.” Matthew 22:21
• “Who will render [ἀποδίδωμι] to each person according to his deeds.” Romans 2:6
• “Render [ἀποδίδωμι] to all what is due them.” Romans 13:7
• “The Lord will reward [ἀποδίδωμι] me according to my deeds.” 2 Timothy 4:14

Cultural Insights

In ancient Mediterranean culture, the concept of reciprocity was fundamental to social relationships. The term ἀποδίδωμι played a crucial role in this cultural framework, expressing both the obligation to repay debts and the expectation of appropriate returns for benefits received. This understanding illuminates many of Messiah Jesus’s teachings about kingdom economics and divine reward.

The word carried particular weight in Jewish theological thought, where it connected to the concept of מִדָּה כְּנֶגֶד מִדָּה (middah k’neged middah, “measure for measure”), a principle of divine justice. This helps explain why ἀποδίδωμι appears frequently in contexts where divine judgment or reward is discussed, reflecting the Jewish understanding of God’s perfect righteousness in rendering to each according to their ways.

Theological Significance

ἀποδίδωμι reveals profound truths about God’s character and His relationship with humanity. It demonstrates that God is neither arbitrary nor capricious in His dealings with His creation. Rather, He is perfectly just, rendering to each person exactly what is due, whether in judgment or reward.

The word also illuminates the relationship between divine sovereignty and human responsibility. While salvation is by grace through faith, the consistent use of ἀποδίδωμι in contexts of divine reward reminds us that God has established a moral universe where actions have consequences and faithfulness receives recognition.

This term particularly highlights the Messiah’s role in divine justice and reward. As the righteous Judge, He will ἀποδίδωμι (render) to each according to their deeds, while as the merciful Savior, He has ἀποδίδωμι (paid) our debt of sin in full.

Personal Application

Understanding ἀποδίδωμι challenges believers to live with heightened awareness of divine reciprocity in their spiritual walk. It reminds us that while we cannot earn salvation, our actions matter to God, and He faithfully rewards those who diligently seek Him (Hebrews 11:6).

This word also calls us to integrity in fulfilling our obligations, both to God and others. Whether in keeping promises, paying debts, or rendering service, we are called to reflect God’s faithfulness in our own “rendering back” of what is due.

Related Words

• ἀνταποδίδωμι (antapodidōmi) – to give back as an equivalent, to recompense – Emphasizes reciprocity and adds intensity to the basic meaning of ἀποδίδωμι See G467
• παραδίδωμι (paradidōmi) – to hand over, deliver, betray – Shares the root δίδωμι but focuses on transmission rather than return See G3860
• μισθαποδότης (misthapodotēs) – rewarder, one who pays wages – Compounds ἀποδίδωμι with μισθός (wages) See G3406
• ἐκδίδωμι (ekdidōmi) – to give out, let out for hire – Related through the root δίδωμι but emphasizes distribution See G1554

Did you Know?

• The perfectionist nature of ἀποδίδωμι in payment contexts influenced the development of modern Greek banking terminology, where it continues to be used for the settlement of debts and obligations.
• In ancient papyri, ἀποδίδωμι frequently appears in marriage contracts, emphasizing the binding nature of marital obligations and the expectation of mutual fidelity—a usage that illuminates New Testament teachings about covenant relationships.
• The combination of ἀπό (indicating completion) with δίδωμι created such a powerful concept of full repayment that Roman legal documents written in Greek preferred ἀποδίδωμι over other payment terms when absolute fulfillment needed to be emphasized.

Remember This

ἀποδίδωμι embodies the perfect justice and faithful reward of our God, who never fails to render what is right and true, whether in judgment or blessing, while calling His people to mirror His faithfulness in their own rendering of duties and obligations.