Pronunciation Guide: ah-pel-PID-zō (ἀπελπίζω)

Basic Definition

Strong’s G560: ἀπελπίζω is a compound verb that literally means “to hope from” or “to despair of receiving back.” In the New Testament, it uniquely appears in Luke 6:35 where it carries the specialized meaning of lending without expecting repayment, embodying selfless generosity that mirrors God’s character. This word powerfully illustrates the radical nature of Messiah’s teaching on love and generosity.

Etymology and Morphology

• Compound verb formed from ἀπό (from, away from) + ἐλπίζω (to hope, expect)
• Primary usage in teaching sections of the New Testament
• Occurs in contexts of ethical instruction and Kingdom principles
• Demonstrates Koine Greek innovation in word formation

ἀπελπίζω Morphology:

• ἀπελπίζοντες (present active participle, nominative plural) – expecting nothing in return
• ἀπελπίζειν (present active infinitive) – to expect nothing back
• ἀπήλπισα (aorist active indicative) – I despaired/expected nothing
• ἀπηλπισμένος (perfect passive participle) – having been without hope of return

Origin & History

The term ἀπελπίζω appears in classical Greek literature primarily meaning “to despair” or “to give up hope,” as found in Polybius’s Histories (2nd century BCE) when describing military situations where armies lost all hope of victory. In the Septuagint, while ἐλπίζω is common, this compound form is notably absent, making its New Testament usage particularly significant.

The transformation of meaning from classical usage to its New Testament application represents a fascinating semantic development. Diodorus Siculus uses it in his Bibliotheca Historica to describe situations of complete hopelessness, while Plutarch employs it in his Moralia when discussing the philosophical concept of expectations and disappointment.

Expanded Definitions & Translation Options

• To have no expectation of return or repayment
• To lend without hope of receiving back
• To give up hope of receiving something
• To act without expectation of reciprocation

ἀπελπίζω Translation Options:

• “Expecting nothing in return” – Captures the contextual meaning in Luke’s Gospel and emphasizes selfless giving
• “Without hope of repayment” – Highlights the financial aspect while maintaining the sense of deliberate relinquishment
• “Despairing of return” – More literal translation that bridges classical and New Testament usage
• “Giving without expectation” – Modern dynamic equivalent that conveys the practical application

Biblical Usage

In the New Testament, ἀπελπίζω appears exclusively in Luke 6:35, where Yeshua (Jesus) teaches about loving enemies and practicing radical generosity. This singular usage is significant because it occurs within the Sermon on the Plain, Luke’s parallel to Matthew’s Sermon on the Mount, where Messiah outlines the revolutionary ethics of His Kingdom.

The context of Luke 6:27-38 builds toward this climactic instruction about lending without expectation of return. The word choice is deliberate, as Luke could have used simpler terms for lending or giving but chose this compound word to emphasize the complete abandonment of hope for repayment.

• “But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return [μηδὲν ἀπελπίζοντες]” Luke 6:35

Cultural Insights

In first-century Jewish culture, the concept of lending was governed by Torah principles that already prohibited charging interest to fellow Israelites (Exodus 22:25). However, there was still a general expectation of repayment. The use of ἀπελπίζω in Luke’s Gospel pushes beyond even these generous standards, calling for a form of giving that transcends normal social and economic conventions.

The Greco-Roman world operated on a system of patronage and reciprocal obligations. Giving without expectation of return would have seemed foolish or even socially destructive to many in the ancient world. Yet this is precisely what Messiah calls His followers to do, establishing a counter-cultural economic ethic based on God’s generous character.

Theological Significance

The use of ἀπελπίζω in Luke 6:35 reveals a profound theological truth about God’s character and His Kingdom’s values. When we lend expecting nothing in return, we mirror God’s gracious giving to those who could never repay Him. This connects to the broader New Testament theme of grace (χάρις) and God’s unmerited favor toward humanity.

The placement of this instruction within teaching about loving enemies emphasizes that such radical generosity is not merely about financial transactions but about reflecting God’s character in all our relationships. Just as God sends rain on the just and unjust (Matthew 5:45), we are called to extend generosity even to those who may be hostile to us.

Personal Application

When we grasp the full meaning of ἀπελπίζω, it challenges us to examine our motivations in giving. Are we subtly keeping score or maintaining ledgers of social debt? The call is to give as God gives – freely, generously, and without expectation of return. This might mean helping someone who can never repay you, sharing resources with those who may not appreciate it, or continuing to give even when previous generosity has been met with ingratitude.

Related Words

• ἐλπίζω (elpizō) – to hope, expect [See G1679] – The root word without the ἀπό prefix, showing the basic concept of hope
• δανείζω (daneizō) – to lend [See G1155] – The common word for lending, lacking the radical element of expecting no return
• χαρίζομαι (charizomai) – to freely give [See G5483] – Shares the concept of generous giving but emphasizes grace rather than expectation
• προσδοκάω (prosdokaō) – to expect, look for [See G4328] – Contrasts with ἀπελπίζω by emphasizing positive expectation

Did you Know?

• Despite its negative-sounding etymology (suggesting “giving up hope”), ἀπελπίζω in Luke’s Gospel is transformed into a positive virtue of generous giving without strings attached.
• The word’s unique appearance in Luke 6:35 has influenced Christian teachings on generosity for two millennia, inspiring countless acts of sacrificial giving and the establishment of charitable institutions.
• Modern Greek has preserved this word but primarily uses it in its classical sense of “despairing,” making the New Testament usage a distinctive semantic development that captures the radical nature of Kingdom economics.

Remember This

ἀπελπίζω embodies the revolutionary economics of God’s Kingdom, where true wealth is measured not by what we receive back, but by how freely we give without expectation of return.