Understanding ἀποκυέω (apokyeō) Strong’s G616: The Divine Process of Bringing Forth Life and Death

Pronunciation Guide: ah-po-koo-EH-oh

Basic Definition

Strong’s G616: ἀποκυέω describes the process of giving birth or bringing forth, specifically emphasizing the culmination of a gestational period. In biblical usage, it metaphorically represents the final stage of a process, whether bringing forth life or death. This rare word appears only twice in the New Testament, both times in James, and carries profound theological significance about the consequences of both righteousness and sin.

Etymology and Morphology

• Compound verb formed from ἀπό (away from) and κύω (to be pregnant)
• Used primarily in teaching passages
• Appears in both literal and metaphorical contexts
• Classical Greek origin
• Found exclusively in James’s epistle in the New Testament

ἀποκυέω Morphology:

• ἀποκυέω (present active indicative) – I bring forth/give birth
• ἀποκύει (present active indicative, 3rd person singular) – he/she brings forth
• ἀποκυεῖ (present active indicative, 3rd person singular variant) – he/she brings forth
• ἀποκυήσασα (aorist active participle, feminine nominative singular) – having brought forth

Origin & History

ἀποκυέω has its roots in classical Greek medical literature, where it was used to describe the process of childbirth. Hippocrates employed this term in his medical treatises when discussing labor and delivery. The compound structure of the word, combining ἀπό (indicating separation or completion) with κύω (to be pregnant), emphasizes the culmination of the gestational process.

In the Hellenistic period, the word began to take on metaphorical meanings beyond its literal obstetric usage. The Septuagint translators, however, did not employ this term, preferring instead τίκτω for birth narratives. This makes its appearance in James’s epistle particularly noteworthy, as he employs it in a powerful metaphorical sense.

Expanded Definitions & Translation Options

• The physical process of giving birth after full gestation
• The culmination of a developmental process
• The bringing forth of something that has been internally developing
• The final production or manifestation of something that has been growing

ἀποκυέω Translation Options:

• “Gives birth to” – Best captures the medical imagery and process
• “Brings forth” – Suitable for metaphorical contexts
• “Produces” – Appropriate for consequences-focused passages
• “Delivers” – Maintains birthing imagery while being less graphic

Biblical Usage

In the New Testament, ἀποκυέω appears exclusively in James’s epistle, where it serves dual purposes. In James 1:15, it describes the deadly progression of sin, showing how desire conceives and “brings forth” death. Conversely, in James 1:18, the same word describes how God “brought forth” believers through the word of truth.

This intentional parallel creates a powerful contrast between the fruit of sin and the fruit of God’s work in believers’ lives. The use of birthing imagery emphasizes both the inevitability of the outcome and the reality that what is brought forth resembles its source.

• “Then when lust has conceived, it brings forth [ἀποκύει] sin” James 1:15
• “In the exercise of His will He brought forth [ἀποκύησεν] us by the word of truth” James 1:18

Cultural Insights

In ancient Jewish thought, birth metaphors were frequently used to describe both spiritual transformation and moral degradation. The rabbinical literature often spoke of the yetzer hara (evil inclination) as being pregnant with evil deeds, while the yetzer hatov (good inclination) was seen as giving birth to righteous acts.

This cultural background illuminates James’s use of ἀποκυέω, as his Jewish Christian audience would have immediately recognized these powerful metaphorical associations. The inevitability of birth after conception would have resonated deeply with their understanding of how choices lead to consequences.

Theological Significance

The dual usage of ἀποκυέω in James presents a profound theological truth about spiritual causation and consequence. When applied to sin in James 1:15, it reveals the inevitable progression from desire to death, showing sin’s reproductive capacity to multiply and bring forth destruction.

However, when applied to God’s work in James 1:18, it reveals the miracle of spiritual birth through His word. This usage connects with the broader New Testament theme of being “born again” (see John 3:3), highlighting God’s role as the source of spiritual life.

The contrast between these two uses of ἀποκυέω presents a powerful picture of two kingdoms: the kingdom of death propagated by sin, and the kingdom of life propagated by God’s word of truth.

Personal Application

Understanding ἀποκυέω challenges us to consider what we are nurturing in our spiritual lives. Just as a pregnancy inevitably leads to birth, our choices and desires will inevitably produce corresponding outcomes. This sobering reality calls us to examine what we’re allowing to develop in our hearts.

When we feel tempted, remembering the imagery of ἀποκυέω can help us visualize sin’s deadly reproductive cycle and motivate us to “abort” sinful desires before they conceive and bring forth death. Conversely, we can be encouraged that as we nurture God’s word in our hearts, it will inevitably bring forth life.

Related Words

• τίκτω (tiktō) – to bear, bring forth, produce – More general term for giving birth without the emphasis on completion. Pronunciation: TIK-toh See G5088
• γεννάω (gennaō) – to beget, give birth to – Emphasizes the role of the parent in bringing forth life. Pronunciation: gen-NAH-oh See G1080
• κυοφορέω (kuophoreō) – to be pregnant – Focuses on the carrying period rather than the birth. Pronunciation: koo-oh-for-EH-oh See G2949
• συλλαμβάνω (syllambanō) – to conceive – Emphasizes the beginning of the process. Pronunciation: sool-lam-BAN-oh See G4815

Did you Know?

• While ἀποκυέω appears only twice in the New Testament, both occurrences are in James and create an intentional theological contrast between sin’s fruit and God’s fruit in our lives.
• The medical precision of this term in ancient Greek literature suggests James carefully chose it to emphasize the inevitability of spiritual outcomes, just as birth inevitably follows conception.
• Modern Greek still uses the root κύω in medical terminology related to pregnancy and childbirth, maintaining its connection to the bringing forth of life after almost 2000 years.

Remember This

ἀποκυέω stands as a powerful reminder that every spiritual seed we nurture will inevitably bring forth its corresponding fruit—whether death through sin or life through God’s word.