Understanding ἀποδέχομαι (apodechomai) Strong’s G588: The Divine Welcome that Reveals God’s Eager Reception of His People

Pronunciation Guide: ah-pod-EH-khom-ahee (emphasis on the “EH” syllable)

Basic Definition

Strong’s G588: ἀποδέχομαι (apodechomai) conveys the act of receiving or welcoming someone with eager pleasure and warm approval. It goes beyond mere acceptance to express enthusiastic reception, indicating both the action of receiving and the favorable disposition of the receiver. This compound word intensifies the idea of reception to signify wholehearted acceptance and joyful welcome.

Etymology and Morphology

• Compound verb formed from ἀπό (apo, “from”) + δέχομαι (dechomai, “to receive”)
• Middle/passive deponent verb (active in meaning though passive in form)
• Common in narrative passages, particularly in Acts
• Used in both literal and metaphorical contexts
• Found in Hellenistic Greek literature and papyri

ἀποδέχομαι Morphology:

• ἀποδέχομαι (present indicative) – I warmly welcome
• ἀπεδέξατο (aorist indicative) – he/she warmly welcomed
• ἀποδεξάμενος (aorist participle) – having warmly welcomed
• ἀποδέχεσθαι (present infinitive) – to warmly welcome
• ἀποδέχονται (present indicative plural) – they warmly welcome

Origin & History

The term ἀποδέχομαι emerged from classical Greek usage where it carried the sense of receiving with approval or accepting with pleasure. In Xenophon’s “Memorabilia” (4.4.4), the word describes Socrates’ welcoming reception of wisdom. The Septuagint employs this term sparingly, notably in 2 Maccabees 3:9, where it depicts the honorable reception of Heliodorus by the high priest.

In the papyri of the Ptolemaic period, ἀποδέχομαι frequently appears in official correspondence to describe the favorable reception of petitions or the acceptance of official documents, as evidenced in P.Oxy. 294 (A.D. 22), showing its use in formal administrative contexts.

Expanded Definitions & Translation Options

• To receive with joy and approval
• To welcome heartily and embrace
• To accept fully and acknowledge favorably
• To receive officially with recognition

ἀποδέχομαι Translation Options:

• “Warmly welcome” – Best captures the emotional warmth and eagerness implicit in the prefix ἀπο-
• “Gladly receive” – Emphasizes the joyful disposition of the receiver
• “Accept wholeheartedly” – Highlights the complete and enthusiastic nature of the reception
• “Embrace eagerly” – Conveys both the physical and emotional aspects of the welcome

Biblical Usage

In the New Testament, ἀποδέχομαι appears predominantly in Luke-Acts, reflecting Luke’s precise attention to the quality of human and divine reception. Its first appearance in Luke 8:40 describes the crowd’s eager welcome of Jesus, setting a pattern for how the word characterizes genuine spiritual reception throughout Luke’s writings.

The term takes on special significance in Acts, where it often describes the reception of the gospel message or the welcome of Christian brothers and sisters. This usage emphasizes both the communal aspect of early Christian fellowship and the proper response to divine truth.

Key verses include:

• “And when He returned, the crowd welcomed Him [ἀποδέχομαι], for they had all been waiting for Him.” Luke 8:40
• “So then, those who had received [ἀποδέχομαι] his word were baptized.” Acts 2:41
• “When they arrived at Jerusalem, they were received [ἀποδέχομαι] by the church.” Acts 15:4
• “And he was welcoming [ἀποδέχομαι] all who came to him.” Acts 28:30

Cultural Insights

In the ancient Mediterranean world, proper reception of guests was a cornerstone of social interaction and cultural identity. The concept of φιλοξενία (hospitality) was not merely about providing food and shelter but about acknowledging the divine potential in every visitor. ἀποδέχομαι embodied this cultural value, representing the ideal response to both human guests and divine truth.

The word carried particular weight in Jewish culture, where the welcome of guests was seen as welcoming the Shekinah (Divine Presence) itself. The rabbinical saying “Greater is hospitality than welcoming the Divine Presence” (Talmud, Shabbat 127a) reflects this deep cultural understanding that would have resonated with Luke’s original readers.

Theological Significance

The use of ἀποδέχομαι in the New Testament reveals a profound theological truth about God’s character and His people’s response to divine initiative. Just as the father in the parable of the prodigal son ran to embrace his returning child, this word pictures God’s eager reception of repentant sinners.

The term’s frequent appearance in Acts particularly illuminates the nature of genuine Christian fellowship and the proper response to gospel truth. It shows that authentic Christian community is characterized not by mere tolerance or passive acceptance, but by active, joyful welcome that mirrors God’s own reception of His people.

This word also carries eschatological significance, pointing forward to the ultimate welcome believers will receive in the heavenly kingdom, where the Messiah Jesus Himself will welcome His faithful ones with divine ἀποδέχομαι.

Personal Application

Understanding ἀποδέχομαι challenges believers to examine both how they receive others and how they receive God’s truth. Are we merely passive in our acceptance of fellow believers, or do we actively welcome them with the same enthusiasm with which God welcomes us? This word calls us to move beyond superficial hospitality to embody the kind of wholehearted reception that characterized the early church.

In our modern context of increasing isolation and digital relationships, the concrete action of ἀποδέχομαι reminds us of our call to genuine, warm, physical welcome of others – especially those different from us – as a reflection of God’s welcome of us in the Messiah.

Related Words

• δέχομαι (dechomai) – to receive, accept – More basic form without the intensification of eager reception. See G1209
• προσδέχομαι (prosdechomai) – to expect, welcome – Emphasizes anticipatory aspect of reception. See G4327
• ὑποδέχομαι (hypodechomai) – to receive as a guest – Focuses on hospitality aspect. See G5264
• παραδέχομαι (paradechomai) – to accept, acknowledge – Emphasizes recognition aspect. See G3858

Did you Know?

• In modern Greek, ἀποδέχομαι is still used today to express approval and acceptance, particularly in formal contexts such as accepting terms of agreement or officially recognizing qualifications.
• Archaeological evidence from first-century inns and homes in Jerusalem reveals designated reception areas, showing how the cultural practice of welcome shaped architecture and daily life in biblical times.
• The prefix ἀπο- in ἀποδέχομαι often indicates completion or fulfillment, suggesting this word describes not just a welcome, but a complete and satisfying reception that fulfills its purpose.

Remember This

ἀποδέχομαι embodies the divine pattern of welcome – where eagerness meets joy, and acceptance transforms into embrace, revealing how God receives us and how we should receive others.