Understanding ἀπελεύθερος (apeleutheros) Strong’s G558: The Profound Journey from Slavery to Freedom in Messiah

Pronunciation Guide: ah-pel-yoo’-ther-os (emphasis on ‘yoo’)

Basic Definition

Strong’s G558: A freedman or freed person; one who has been manumitted (legally released) from slavery. The term specifically denotes someone who was formerly a slave but has been granted freedom, maintaining a relationship of obligation and loyalty to their former master while living as a free person.

Etymology and Morphology

• Compound word from ἀπό (apo, “from”) + ἐλεύθερος (eleutheros, “free”)
• Noun (masculine/feminine)
• Common in Hellenistic legal and social contexts
• Primarily appears in narrative and instructional passages
• Used in both literal and metaphorical contexts

ἀπελεύθερος Morphology:

• ἀπελεύθερος (nominative singular) – a freedman/freedwoman
• ἀπελευθέρου (genitive singular) – of a freedman
• ἀπελευθέρῳ (dative singular) – to/for a freedman
• ἀπελεύθερον (accusative singular) – a freedman (as object)
• ἀπελεύθεροι (nominative plural) – freedmen
• ἀπελευθέρων (genitive plural) – of freedmen

Origin & History

The concept of ἀπελεύθερος emerged in classical Greek society as a distinct legal and social status. Xenophon, in his “Oeconomicus,” discusses the responsibilities of freedmen to their former masters, highlighting the unique social position they held. The term appears frequently in Greek papyri from Egypt, particularly in manumission documents dating from the 3rd century BCE to the 2nd century CE.

In the Hellenistic period, the institution of manumission became increasingly common, with freedmen often maintaining business relationships with their former masters. Plutarch, in his “Life of Cato,” describes how freedmen often became valuable business partners and agents for their former owners, illustrating the complex social dynamics of the ἀπελεύθερος status.

Expanded Definitions & Translation Options

• One legally released from slavery while maintaining certain obligations to their former master
• A person occupying the social status between slave and freeborn citizen
• One who has experienced a transition from bondage to freedom

ἀπελεύθερος Translation Options:

• “Freedman/freedwoman” – Emphasizes the legal status and historical context
• “Emancipated person” – Highlights the process of liberation
• “Former slave” – Stresses the historical relationship
• “Freed person” – Gender-neutral option emphasizing the state of freedom

Biblical Usage

The term ἀπελεύθερος appears explicitly in 1 Corinthians 7:22, where Paul uses it to illustrate the spiritual transformation that occurs in believers. The apostle creates a powerful paradox: the slave who becomes a believer is the Messiah’s freedman, while the free person who comes to faith becomes the Messiah’s slave. This usage demonstrates how Paul appropriated this common social-legal term to convey profound spiritual truth.

While the exact word appears only once in the New Testament, the concept it represents is foundational to understanding the believer’s new identity in the Messiah. It connects with broader themes of redemption, adoption, and spiritual freedom found throughout Scripture.

• “For he who was called in the Lord while a slave, is the Lord’s freedman [ἀπελεύθερος]” 1 Corinthians 7:22

Cultural Insights

In Roman society, freedmen formed a distinct social class with unique opportunities and limitations. They could conduct business, own property, and even acquire wealth, but certain prestigious positions and social privileges remained restricted. Many freedmen became successful entrepreneurs and civil servants, though they were expected to continue showing respect and providing services to their former masters.

The relationship between a freedman and their former master provides crucial context for understanding Paul’s use of the term. Just as a freedman maintained obligations of loyalty and service to their former master while living in freedom, believers maintain a relationship of loving service to the Messiah while enjoying spiritual freedom. This cultural background illuminates why Paul chose this specific term rather than simply using ἐλεύθερος (eleutheros, “free person”).

Theological Significance

The use of ἀπελεύθερος in 1 Corinthians 7:22 brilliantly captures the paradoxical nature of spiritual freedom in the Messiah. It teaches that true freedom comes through submission to the Messiah, and that this freedom transcends social status while not necessarily changing it.

The term encapsulates the reality that believers have been freed from slavery to sin but remain joyfully bound to their new Master, Jesus. This dual status – freed yet serving – perfectly illustrates the Christian life. We are no longer slaves to sin but become willing servants of righteousness, maintaining a relationship of love and loyalty to the One who purchased our freedom.

This concept also connects powerfully with the Exodus narrative and the Year of Jubilee, where God’s people were freed from physical bondage to serve Him. The ἀπελεύθερος status thus becomes a metaphor for the believer’s position in the Messiah – freed from sin’s bondage but choosing to serve God out of love and gratitude.

Personal Application

Understanding ourselves as the Lord’s ἀπελεύθεροι should transform how we view our relationship with God and our daily walk with Him. We serve not out of compulsion but out of grateful love, recognizing that our freedom was purchased at great cost through the blood of the Messiah.

This understanding should also impact how we view our obligations and responsibilities as believers. Like a freedman who honored their former master, we should eagerly serve our Lord who freed us, not out of duty but out of love and appreciation for our liberation from sin’s bondage.

Related Words

• ἐλεύθερος (eleutheros) – free, independent – The root word emphasizing the state of freedom without the connotation of previous bondage See G1658
• δοῦλος (doulos) – slave, bondservant – The opposite state from which the ἀπελεύθερος has been freed See G1401
• ἐξαγοράζω (exagorazo) – to redeem, buy back – The action by which one becomes an ἀπελεύθερος See G1805
• λυτρόω (lutroo) – to release by paying a ransom – Another term for the process of becoming free See G3084

Did you Know?

• Archaeological evidence from ancient Rome shows that many successful businesses were run by freedmen, demonstrating how this social status could lead to significant economic opportunities while maintaining ties to former masters.
• The process of manumission in the ancient world often involved a religious ceremony in a temple, where the price of freedom would be paid to the deity, making the freed person technically the property of the god – a fascinating parallel to our redemption in the Messiah.
• In some ancient Greek cities, freedmen were required to live near their former masters and provide services when needed, illustrating the ongoing relationship that Paul draws upon in his spiritual application of the term.

Remember This

The ἀπελεύθερος embodies the beautiful paradox of Christian freedom: truly free yet joyfully bound to the Messiah who purchased our liberation.