Brief Overview of στρεβλόω (Strong’s G4761: strebloō)

Strong’s G4761: To twist, distort, or wrench. From στρεβλός (twisted). Used metaphorically in NT for the deliberate distortion of Scripture’s meaning. Appears once in 2 Peter, warning against those who twist sacred writings to their own destruction.

U- Unveiling the Word

Στρεβλόω comes from the world of physical torture, where it described the twisting or wrenching of limbs, but takes on profound spiritual significance in its New Testament usage. Peter uses it to describe the deliberate distortion of Scripture’s meaning by false teachers. Early church fathers saw this as a serious warning against heretical interpretations that twist God’s Word to support false doctrines. Today, στρεβλόω reminds us of our responsibility to handle Scripture faithfully and warns against manipulating God’s truth for personal agenda.

N – Necessary Information

• Greek Word: στρεβλόω, strebloō, /streb-lo’-o/
• Detailed Pronunciation: streh-BLO-oh (emphasis on second syllable)
• Part of Speech: Verb

Etymology:

• Root word: στρεβλός (streblos) – “twisted, crooked”
• -όω (-oō) – verb-forming suffix indicating to make or cause
  The combination means “to make twisted” or “to distort”

D – Defining Meanings

• To twist or wrench
• To distort or pervert
• To torture by twisting
• To misinterpret deliberately

For compound words: Not applicable as στρεβλόω is a simple verb.

Translation Options:

1. “To distort” – Best captures metaphorical use
2. “To twist” – Preserves physical imagery
3. “To pervert” – Emphasizes willful corruption

E – Exploring Similar Words

1. διαστρέφω (diastrephō) /dee-as-tref’-o/ – to pervert, corrupt. See G1294
2. μεταστρέφω (metastrephō) /met-as-tref’-o/ – to turn about, change. See G3344
3. καμπύλος (kampylos) /kam-poo’-los/ – crooked, bent. See G2578

R – Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

As a verb, στρεβλόω exhibits these features:

• Tense: Present/Future
• Voice: Active
• Mood: Indicative
• Person: Third
• Number: Plural
• Aspect: Continuous/Progressive

Examples of morphological changes:

• Present: στρεβλῶ (I twist), στρεβλοῖς (you twist), στρεβλοῖ (he/she/it twists)
• Future: στρεβλώσω (I will twist)
• Aorist: ἐστρέβλωσα (I twisted)

S – Studying Lexicon Insights

BDAG emphasizes its metaphorical use for Scripture distortion. Thayer’s notes its origin in physical torture. LSJ documents its use in both literal and metaphorical contexts. Vine’s highlights its serious spiritual implications. Strong’s connects it to twisting or perversion. Moulton and Milligan show its use in legal contexts.

T – Tracing the Scriptures

First Appearance:

“As also in all his letters, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which the untaught and unstable [στρεβλόω] distort, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures, to their own destruction.” 2 Peter 3:16

Additional References:
This is the only occurrence in the New Testament.

A – Analyzing Classical Usage

N – Noteworthy Summary

Στρεβλόω powerfully warns against the serious sin of distorting God’s Word. This reminds us that Scripture is not a tool for manipulation but God’s truth to be faithfully understood and applied. The good news of King Jesus must be preserved and proclaimed in its pure form, not twisted to serve human agendas.

D – Did You Know?

1. The word was used in ancient torture contexts before its metaphorical application.
2. Early church councils used this term to describe heretical interpretations.
3. It influenced legal terminology for the corruption of documents.

Strong’s G4761: To twist, distort, or wrench. From στρεβλός (twisted). Used metaphorically in NT for the deliberate distortion of Scripture’s meaning. Appears once in 2 Peter, warning against those who twist sacred writings to their own destruction.

Part of speech: Verb

Tags: distortion, scripture-interpretation, false-teaching, heresy, corruption, twisting-truth, biblical-interpretation, warning, faithfulness, greek-verb​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​