Pronunciation Guide: an-ab-al’-lo

Basic Definition

Strong’s G306: ἀναβάλλω is a compound Greek verb that literally means “to throw or cast up” but is primarily used metaphorically in the New Testament to mean “to postpone, defer, or delay.” The word carries the nuance of a deliberate and often strategic postponement rather than mere procrastination. In biblical usage, it often implies careful consideration and divine timing in decision-making processes.

Etymology and Morphology

• Compound verb formed from ἀνά (up, again) + βάλλω (to throw, cast)
• Primary usage in narrative and legal contexts
• Found in classical Greek literature, particularly in administrative and legal documents
• Occurs only once in the New Testament
• Common in Koine Greek legal terminology

ἀναβάλλω Morphology:

• ἀναβάλλω (present active indicative) – I postpone/delay
• ἀναβάλλεις (present active indicative, 2nd person singular) – you postpone/delay
• ἀνεβάλετο (aorist middle indicative, 3rd person singular) – he postponed/delayed
• ἀναβαλλόμενος (present middle participle) – postponing/delaying
• ἀναβεβλημένος (perfect passive participle) – having been postponed/delayed

Origin & History

The word ἀναβάλλω has deep roots in classical Greek literature, particularly in administrative and legal contexts. In Herodotus’ Histories (5.49), the word is used to describe the strategic delay of political decisions. The Septuagint employs this term in various contexts, notably in Ecclesiastes 8:11, where it describes the delay of justice.

In secular Greek papyri from the Ptolemaic and Roman periods, ἀναβάλλω frequently appears in legal documents concerning the postponement of court proceedings, showing its technical usage in the judicial system. This background illuminates its singular New Testament usage in Acts 24:22, where Felix strategically delays Paul’s trial.

Expanded Definitions & Translation Options

• To postpone or defer judgment deliberately
• To delay for strategic purposes
• To put off until a more opportune time
• To suspend proceedings temporarily

ἀναβάλλω Translation Options:

• “To postpone” – Best captures the deliberate nature of the delay
• “To defer” – Emphasizes the formal or legal aspect of the delay
• “To adjourn” – Specifically appropriate in legal contexts
• “To put off” – More colloquial but maintains the core meaning
• “To delay judgment” – Captures the judicial context specifically

Biblical Usage

The sole New Testament occurrence of ἀναβάλλω appears in Acts 24:22, where Felix deliberately postpones making a decision about Paul’s case. This usage perfectly exemplifies the word’s technical legal meaning and its implications of strategic delay. The context suggests that Felix’s postponement was not mere procrastination but a calculated decision based on multiple factors, including his desire to maintain political stability and his hope for a bribe (Acts 24:26).

While ἀναβάλλω appears only once in the New Testament, its concept of strategic delay appears throughout Scripture, often in contexts where human postponement intersects with divine timing. This intersection is particularly evident in how God’s timing often works through human delays and deferrals.

• “Felix, having a rather accurate knowledge of the Way, postponed [ἀναβάλετο] their case” Acts 24:22

Cultural Insights

In the Roman legal system, the practice of ampliatio (postponement of verdict) was a recognized legal procedure, allowing judges to delay decisions when cases required further investigation or consideration. Felix’s use of ἀναβάλλω in Acts 24:22 reflects this formal legal procedure, demonstrating Luke’s accuracy in using precise legal terminology.

The concept of strategic delay was also deeply embedded in Jewish culture, reflected in the rabbinic principle of שהייה (shehiyah), or deliberate pause for consideration. This cultural background helps us understand how the early Jewish-Christian audience would have interpreted Felix’s postponement not merely as procrastination but as a formal legal action with significant implications.

Theological Significance

The strategic use of ἀναβάλλω in Acts reveals an important theological principle about divine timing and human agency. While Felix’s postponement was motivated by self-interest, God used this delay to further His purposes, allowing Paul extended opportunities to witness and write several epistles during his imprisonment.

This intersection of human delay and divine purpose illustrates how God’s sovereignty works through, and sometimes despite, human decisions. The concept reminds us that what appears as delay from a human perspective may be precisely aligned with God’s perfect timing, as seen in the prophet Habakkuk’s declaration that the vision “awaits its appointed time” (Habakkuk 2:3).

Personal Application

When we encounter delays or postponements in our lives, understanding ἀναβάλλω helps us view them through a theological lens. Rather than seeing all delays as negative, we can consider how they might be part of God’s larger purpose, providing opportunities for growth, preparation, or ministry we might otherwise miss.

This understanding calls us to discern between procrastination born of fear or laziness and strategic delay that allows for proper preparation and divine timing. It challenges us to trust God’s timing even when faced with seemingly unnecessary delays, recognizing that His purposes often work through such postponements.

Related Words

• ἀναβολή (anabole) – delay, postponement – Similar root but used as a noun for the act of postponement See G311
• μέλλω (mello) – to be about to, delay – Carries the sense of impending action See G3195
• βραδύνω (braduno) – to delay, be slow – Emphasizes the slowness of action See G1019
• χρονίζω (chronizo) – to spend time, delay – Focuses on the temporal aspect of delay See G5549

Did you Know?

• The term ἀναβάλλω was so commonly used in Greek legal documents that it became a technical term in Roman law, where it was transliterated into Latin as ampliare, meaning to postpone a legal decision.
• In ancient Greek athletic contests, ἀναβάλλω was sometimes used to describe the practice of “false starts” where athletes would deliberately delay the start of a race for tactical advantage, leading to specific rules against such practices.
• The concept behind ἀναβάλλω continues in modern Greek legal terminology, where αναβολή (anavoli) is still used to describe court postponements and legal delays.

Remember This

ἀναβάλλω reminds us that in God’s economy, a delay is not always a denial – sometimes it’s a divine strategy for greater purposes.