Introduction

Understanding Greek words is essential for anyone studying the Bible, as it helps to uncover the nuanced meanings that can be lost in translation. One such word is ἐκκλίνω (ekklínō), a verb found in the New Testament that has significant implications for understanding Christian behavior and ethics. This word, while not as commonly discussed as some others, plays a crucial role in the exhortations of the New Testament writers, particularly in contexts where moral and spiritual integrity are at stake. Its roots and usage also provide valuable insights into ancient Greek culture, where similar terms were employed to convey physical and metaphorical shifts or turns away from something.

Key Information

• Greek Word: ἐκκλίνω (ekklínō) [ek-KLEE-noh]
• Etymology: Derived from the preposition ἐκ (ek), meaning “out of,” and the verb κλίνω (klínō), meaning “to bend” or “to turn.” Therefore, ἐκκλίνω literally means “to turn away” or “to bend away.”
• Part of Speech: Verb (active voice, indicative mood)
• The F.O.G Word Choice: Coming Soon

Primary Meanings

• To Turn Away: In its most literal sense, ἐκκλίνω means to turn or bend away from a particular direction or path. This can refer to a physical movement, as well as a metaphorical turning away from a course of action or behavior.
• To Deviate: The word is often used to describe a deviation from a standard or a turning away from something considered right or proper.
• To Avoid: In moral and ethical contexts, ἐκκλίνω is used to convey the idea of avoiding evil or steering clear of wrongdoing.

Similar Words:

• ἀποστρέφω (apostréphō) [ap-os-TREF-oh]: This word also means “to turn away,” but often with a stronger connotation of rejection or repudiation.
• μετανοέω (metanoéō) [met-an-o-EH-oh]: While this verb means “to repent,” it involves a turning away from sin, showing a related concept in moral transformation.

Further Insights

• Morphology: As a verb, ἐκκλίνω follows the regular conjugation patterns of ancient Greek verbs. It appears in various tenses in the New Testament, typically in the active voice, where the subject performs the action of turning away or deviating.

Verb Conjugation Chart (Present Active Indicative)

Lexicon Insights

• BDAG: BDAG highlights the use of ἐκκλίνω in moral contexts, often relating to the avoidance of evil or sin. It emphasizes the idea of turning away deliberately from what is wrong.
• Thayer’s: Thayer notes the application of ἐκκλίνω in both physical and metaphorical senses, with particular emphasis on its use in exhortations to avoid sinful behavior.
• Vine’s: Vine’s dictionary explores ἐκκλίνω in the context of New Testament exhortations, often linked with commands to avoid wickedness or deviate from unrighteous paths.
• LSJ: The Liddell-Scott-Jones lexicon provides examples of ἐκκλίνω in classical Greek literature, where it is used to describe both physical turning and figurative deviation from norms or expectations.
• Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance: Strong’s notes that ἐκκλίνω is most often used in ethical instructions, urging believers to turn away from evil and pursue righteousness.

Scripture References:

• Romans 3:12: “They have all turned aside (ἐκκλίνω); together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.”
• 1 Peter 3:11: “Let him turn away (ἐκκλίνω) from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it.”

Classical Usage

In classical Greek literature, ἐκκλίνω was often used in both literal and figurative senses, describing anything from physical movement away from a place to moral or intellectual deviation.

Summary of ἐκκλίνω (G1578: ekklínō)

The Greek verb ἐκκλίνω (ekklínō) is a multifaceted term with deep roots in both classical and Biblical Greek. Its primary meaning of “turning away” or “deviating” is used in the New Testament to convey the idea of avoiding sin and steering clear of moral pitfalls. This word is crucial for understanding the ethical teachings of the New Testament, where believers are often exhorted to turn away from evil and pursue a righteous path. By exploring ἐκκλίνω, we gain insights into the moral expectations of the early Christian community and the broader cultural context in which these ideas were communicated.

Did You Know?

In the ancient Greek world, ἐκκλίνω was not only a term used for moral instruction but also for military maneuvers. Soldiers would “turn aside” or “deviate” from direct paths in battle to avoid danger, a metaphor that vividly illustrates the New Testament’s moral teachings.