Divine Division: χωρίζω (Strong’s G5563: chōrizō) Separates What God Unites

Strong’s G5563: From χωρίς (apart), χωρίζω fundamentally means to separate, divide, or put asunder. In NT usage, it specifically refers to the separation of married couples and broader spiritual separation, emphasizing the gravity of breaking divinely established unions.

U- Unveiling the Word

χωρίζω carries profound theological weight in New Testament teaching, particularly regarding marriage and our relationship with God. Its primary meaning of separation or division takes on special significance in Matthew 19:6, where Jesus uses it to emphasize the permanence of marriage as divinely ordained. The word also appears in contexts of physical separation, as with Paul and Barnabas in Acts, and spiritual separation, notably in Romans 8:35-39 where Paul declares that nothing can separate believers from God’s love. Early church fathers frequently employed this term when discussing both marriage doctrine and the inseparable union between believers and the Messiah.

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N – Necessary Information

• Greek Word: χωρίζω, chōrizō, khō-rid’-zō
• Pronunciation: ‘kh’ as in Scottish ‘loch’, ‘ō’ as in ‘go’, ‘rid’ as in ‘rid’, ‘zō’ as in ‘zone’
• Part of Speech: Verb

Etymology:

• χωρίς (chōris) – apart, separate
• -ίζω (-izō) – causative verbal suffix meaning “to make” or “to cause”

D – Defining Meanings

• To separate, divide, part, put asunder
• To leave, depart from
• To divorce (in middle voice)

For compound words:
The root χωρίς conveys the concept of separation or apartness, while the -ίζω suffix makes it an active verb, literally meaning “to make separate” or “to cause division”

Translation Options:

• “to separate” – best captures the basic meaning and works in most contexts
• “to depart” – preferred when describing physical movement away
• “to divorce” – specific to marriage contexts in middle voice

E – Exploring Similar Words

• διαχωρίζω (diachōrizō) – to separate entirely See G1339
• ἀφορίζω (aphorizō) – to mark off by boundaries See G873
• διαιρέω (diaireō) – to divide, distribute See G1244

R – Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

For this verb:

• Tense: Present, Future, Aorist, Perfect
• Voice: Active, Middle, Passive
• Mood: Indicative, Subjunctive, Imperative
• Person: First, Second, Third
• Number: Singular, Plural
• Aspect: Progressive/Linear (Present), Punctiliar (Aorist)

Example morphological changes:

• χωρίζω (I separate)
• χωρίζεις (you separate)
• ἐχώρισα (I separated)
• χωρισθῆναι (to be separated)

S – Studying Lexicon Insights

The major lexicons provide rich insight into χωρίζω’s semantic range. BDAG emphasizes its use in marriage dissolution contexts, while also noting its broader application to general separation. Thayer’s highlights its development from spatial separation to relationship severance. LSJ documents extensive classical usage in various contexts of division and departure. Vine’s emphasizes its special usage in marriage contexts, particularly in 1 Corinthians. Strong’s connects it to the spatial concept of making room between objects. Moulton and Milligan provide papyri evidence of its use in legal documents, especially divorce papers, illuminating its technical meaning in marriage contexts.

T – Tracing the Scriptures

First appearance:
Matthew 19:6: “So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate [χωρίζω].”

Additional References:
Acts 1:4, Acts 18:1, Romans 8:35, Romans 8:39, 1 Corinthians 7:10, 1 Corinthians 7:11, 1 Corinthians 7:15, Philemon 1:15

A – Analyzing Classical Usage

N – Noteworthy Summary

χωρίζω powerfully illustrates both divine union and human separation. Its use in Matthew 19:6 establishes God’s view of marriage as an unbreakable bond, while Paul’s use in Romans 8 proclaims the eternal security of believers in the Messiah’s love. The word reminds us that while human relationships may experience separation, nothing can separate us from God’s love in the Messiah Jesus. This truth stands as a cornerstone of the gospel message – our eternal union with God through His Son is unbreakable and unchangeable.

D – Did You Know?

• χωρίζω appears in ancient Greek marriage contracts as the technical term for legal divorce
• The word plays a crucial role in early Christian discussions about the permissibility of divorce
• Its use in Romans 8:39 creates one of the strongest statements of eternal security in Scripture

Strong’s G5563: From χωρίς (apart), χωρίζω fundamentally means to separate, divide, or put asunder. In NT usage, it specifically refers to the separation of married couples and broader spiritual separation, emphasizing the gravity of breaking divinely established unions.

Part of speech: Verb

Tags: separation, divorce, departure, division, marriage, eternal security, relationships, unity, divine union, spiritual separation​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​