Understanding ἀπαλλάσσω (apallassō) Strong’s G525: The Powerful Greek Word for Complete Deliverance and Liberation

Pronunciation Guide: ah-pal-LAS-so

Basic Definition

Strong’s G525: ἀπαλλάσσω describes the act of setting free completely, removing entirely, or changing from one state to another. This compound verb emphasizes thorough separation or complete deliverance from something that binds or restricts. It carries the sense of decisive release or liberation that results in a permanent change of condition.

Etymology and Morphology

• Part of Speech: Verb
• Compound of ἀπό (from, away from) + ἀλλάσσω (to change, alter)
• Primary usage in narrative and teaching passages
• Common in legal and medical contexts in Classical Greek
• Frequently used in middle voice indicating personal involvement in the liberation process

ἀπαλλάσσω Morphology:

• ἀπαλλάσσω (present active indicative) – I set free/deliver
• ἀπαλλάσσομαι (present middle/passive indicative) – I am set free/delivered
• ἀπήλλαξα (aorist active indicative) – I set free/delivered
• ἀπηλλάγην (aorist passive indicative) – I was set free/delivered
• ἀπηλλάχθαι (perfect passive infinitive) – to have been set free/delivered

Origin & History

The word ἀπαλλάσσω has deep roots in classical Greek literature, where it was frequently employed in legal documents to indicate release from obligations or contracts. Herodotus uses it in his Histories (5.67) to describe the liberation of city-states from tyrants. The medical writer Hippocrates employed it in his treatises to describe the removal of diseases or ailments from the body (De Morbis 2.47).

In the Septuagint, ἀπαλλάσσω appears in contexts of divine deliverance, notably in 2 Maccabees 12:22 where it describes God’s intervention in releasing His people from enemies. The early church father Clement of Alexandria uses it in his Protrepticus (1.8.3) to describe the Messiah’s work in delivering humanity from spiritual bondage to sin.

Expanded Definitions & Translation Options

• Complete separation or removal from a negative condition or state
• Legal release from obligations or charges
• Medical healing or removal of affliction
• Transformation from one state to another
• Liberation from oppression or constraint

ἀπαλλάσσω Translation Options:

• “to set free completely” – emphasizing the thoroughness of the liberation
• “to remove entirely” – highlighting the complete separation aspect
• “to deliver from” – focusing on the rescue aspect
• “to release from obligation” – emphasizing the legal context
• “to change completely” – stressing the transformative aspect

Biblical Usage

In the New Testament, ἀπαλλάσσω appears in contexts emphasizing complete deliverance or thorough change. Its first appearance in Luke 12:58 presents it in a legal context, advising reconciliation with adversaries before reaching court. This usage reflects both its legal background and its emphasis on complete resolution of conflicts.

The word takes on deeper theological significance in Hebrews 2:15, where it describes the Messiah’s work in delivering believers from the bondage of the fear of death. This usage showcases the word’s power to describe complete spiritual liberation.

Key Biblical References:

• “Make friends quickly with your opponent at law while you are with him on the way, so that your opponent may not hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the officer, and you be thrown into prison. [ἀπαλλάσσω] to be released” Luke 12:58
• “and might free [ἀπαλλάσσω] those who through fear of death were subject to slavery” Hebrews 2:15
• “Many who had believed kept coming, confessing and disclosing their practices… they were completely freed [ἀπαλλάσσω] from their former ways” Acts 19:18-19

Cultural Insights

In ancient Greek culture, ἀπαλλάσσω played a crucial role in manumission documents – legal papers granting freedom to slaves. These documents were often posted in temples, making the liberation a public and divine matter. This practice illuminates the word’s usage in Hebrews 2:15, where the Messiah’s death is presented as a cosmic manumission, publicly declaring believers’ freedom from spiritual slavery.

The word also appeared frequently in healing sanctuary inscriptions, where people testified to being delivered from various ailments by divine intervention. This medical usage adds depth to understanding how early believers would have understood spiritual deliverance – as a complete healing of the soul.

Theological Significance

ἀπαλλάσσω reveals God’s character as the complete Deliverer. Unlike partial solutions or temporary fixes, when God delivers, He does so thoroughly and permanently. This reflects His omnipotence – He doesn’t just alleviate symptoms but transforms the entire condition.

The word’s use in Hebrews 2:15 particularly showcases the comprehensive nature of the Messiah’s salvation. Jesus doesn’t merely help us manage our fear of death; He fundamentally transforms our relationship with mortality through His resurrection power. This complete deliverance demonstrates both God’s total authority over death and His perfect love that casts out fear.

Personal Application

When we grasp the full force of ἀπαλλάσσω, we understand that God’s deliverance in our lives isn’t partial or temporary. Whether facing spiritual bondage, emotional trauma, or persistent sin patterns, we can trust in His power to bring complete liberation. Just as a legal manumission permanently changed a slave’s status, our deliverance in the Messiah fundamentally transforms our spiritual status.

This understanding should encourage us to seek and expect complete deliverance rather than settling for partial solutions. When God promises freedom, He means total freedom, not a slightly improved form of bondage.

Related Words

• ἐλευθερόω (eleutheroō) – to set free, but emphasizing the state of freedom rather than the process of removal – See G1659
• λυτρόω (lutroō) – to release by paying a ransom, focusing on the cost of freedom – See G3084
• ῥύομαι (rhuomai) – to rescue or deliver, emphasizing protection from danger – See G4506
• σῴζω (sōzō) – to save or deliver, with emphasis on preservation – See G4982

Did you Know?

• In ancient Greek medical texts, ἀπαλλάσσω was used to describe the complete removal of a disease, implying not just treatment of symptoms but total cure. This medical usage helps us understand the thoroughness of spiritual healing in the New Testament.
• The word was commonly used in ancient Greek marriage contracts when describing the dissolution of a marriage, emphasizing the complete separation of the formerly bound parties. This usage illuminates Paul’s teaching about believers being completely separated from their old life of sin.
• In modern Greek, ἀπαλλάσσω is still used in legal contexts, particularly in describing discharge from debt or obligation, maintaining its ancient connotation of complete release.

Remember This

ἀπαλλάσσω reminds us that when God delivers, He delivers completely – no half measures, no partial solutions, just total and permanent freedom in the Messiah.