Understanding ἀποπνίγω (apopnigo) Strong’s G638: The Suffocating Power of Worldly Cares in Biblical Teaching

Pronunciation Guide: ah-pop-NEE-go

Basic Definition

Strong’s G638: ἀποπνίγω (apopnigo) describes the action of choking, suffocating, or strangling completely. In biblical usage, it carries both literal and metaphorical meanings, describing either physical suffocation or the spiritual choking of faith by worldly influences. The prefix ἀπο- (apo-) intensifies the base meaning, indicating complete or thorough choking.

Etymology and Morphology

• Part of Speech: Verb
• Compound word: ἀπό (from) + πνίγω (to choke/strangle)
• Primary usage: Narrative passages and teaching sections
• Language origin: Classical Greek
• Voice: Active and Passive forms

ἀποπνίγω Morphology:

• ἀποπνίγω (present active indicative) – I choke/suffocate
• ἀποπνίγομαι (present passive indicative) – I am choked/suffocated
• ἀπέπνιξαν (aorist active indicative) – they choked/suffocated
• ἀποπνιγήσονται (future passive indicative) – they will be choked/suffocated
• ἀποπνίγει (present active indicative, 3rd person singular) – he/she/it chokes/suffocates

Origin & History

The word ἀποπνίγω has roots in classical Greek literature, where it was used to describe death by suffocation or drowning. Xenophon employs it in his “Anabasis” (4.5.7) to describe soldiers being suffocated by snow in severe winter conditions. In the Septuagint, though relatively rare, it appears in contexts describing violent death or overwhelming circumstances.

The compound nature of the word, combining ἀπό (indicating separation or completion) with πνίγω (to choke), creates an intensified meaning suggesting thorough or complete suffocation. This intensification carries through to its metaphorical usage in the New Testament, where it powerfully describes the complete suppression of spiritual growth.

Expanded Definitions & Translation Options

• Complete suffocation or choking in a physical sense
• Metaphorical overwhelming or suppression of spiritual life
• Drowning (in specific contexts)

ἀποπνίγω Translation Options:

• “to choke completely” – emphasizes the thoroughness implied by the ἀπο- prefix
• “to suffocate” – best fits contexts involving breathing difficulties
• “to strangle” – appropriate for active, intentional contexts
• “to drown” – specifically in contexts involving water
• “to suppress completely” – for metaphorical usage in spiritual contexts

Biblical Usage

In the New Testament, ἀποπνίγω appears in both literal and metaphorical contexts. Its most theologically significant usage occurs in the Parable of the Sower, where it describes how worldly cares and desires choke out the Word of God. The metaphorical usage powerfully illustrates how spiritual life can be suffocated by worldly influences.

The word’s appearance in gospel narratives also includes literal usage, particularly in descriptions of drowning. This dual usage creates a powerful connection between physical and spiritual suffocation, emphasizing the deadly nature of both.

• “[καὶ συνφυεῖσαι αἱ ἄκανθαι ἀπέπνιξαν αὐτό] And the thorns grew up with it and choked it.” Matthew 13:7
• “[καὶ συνέπνιξαν αὐτό] And they choked it.” Mark 4:7
• “[καὶ συνφυεῖσαι αἱ ἄκανθαι ἀπέπνιξαν αὐτό] And the thorns grew up with it and choked it.” Luke 8:7
• “[κατὰ τοῦ κρημνοῦ εἰς τὴν λίμνην καὶ ἀπεπνίγη] Down the steep bank into the lake and was drowned.” Luke 8:33

Cultural Insights

In ancient Mediterranean agricultural practice, thorns were a constant threat to crops, capable of completely overwhelming young plants. This agricultural reality would have resonated deeply with Jesus’ audience in the Parable of the Sower. The thorns in the Holy Land were particularly aggressive, often growing to impressive sizes and forming dense thickets that could completely overshadow and choke out other vegetation.

The concept of suffocation or choking was particularly powerful in Jewish thought, where breath (ruach) was closely associated with life itself, being the first gift of God to humanity in Genesis. Thus, the idea of something being choked or suffocated carried strong connotations of life being cut off from its divine source.

Theological Significance

The use of ἀποπνίγω in the Parable of the Sower reveals a profound spiritual truth about the nature of worldly influences on faith. Just as thorns gradually but completely choke out a plant’s life, worldly cares, riches, and pleasures can gradually but completely suffocate spiritual life. This process often occurs slowly and imperceptibly, making it particularly dangerous.

The word’s appearance in both literal and metaphorical contexts creates a powerful theological parallel between physical and spiritual death. Just as physical suffocation cuts off the breath of life, spiritual suffocation cuts off the life-giving relationship with God. This dual usage emphasizes the serious nature of allowing worldly influences to choke out spiritual growth.

The intensity implied by the ἀπο- prefix serves as a warning about the completeness of this spiritual suffocation when left unchecked. It’s not merely a hindrance to growth but a complete suppression of spiritual life.

Personal Application

In our modern context, the concept of being “choked” by worries, riches, and pleasures remains startlingly relevant. Just as thorns don’t kill plants immediately but gradually overshadow and suffocate them, worldly concerns can gradually overshadow our spiritual life until we find ourselves cut off from the source of true life.

This understanding calls us to regular spiritual self-examination: What “thorns” might be growing in our lives? Are there concerns, pursuits, or pleasures that are gradually choking out our spiritual vitality? The word ἀποπνίγω reminds us that spiritual suffocation is a real danger requiring vigilant attention and regular “weeding” of our spiritual garden.

Related Words

• πνίγω (pnigo) – to choke, strangle (without the intensity of ἀπο-); pronunciation: KNEE-go See G4155
• συμπνίγω (sympnigo) – to choke by crowding together; pronunciation: soom-KNEE-go See G4846
• πνικτός (pniktos) – strangled, suffocated; pronunciation: nik-TOS See G4156
• καταπνίγω (katapnigo) – to drown, choke utterly; pronunciation: ka-ta-KNEE-go See G2666

Did you Know?

• The same word ἀποπνίγω used to describe thorns choking plants in the Parable of the Sower is used to describe the drowning of the swine in Luke’s Gospel, creating a powerful link between physical and spiritual death.
• In modern Greek, derivatives of ἀποπνίγω are still used in medical terminology to describe various forms of asphyxiation, maintaining its connection to the concept of life-threatening suffocation.
• The agricultural metaphor of thorns choking out good plants would have been particularly vivid to Jesus’ audience, as the Holy Land was known for its especially robust and aggressive thorny plants, some of which could grow to the size of small trees.

Remember This

ἀποπνίγω serves as a powerful warning that spiritual life, like physical life, requires vigilant protection against the gradual but deadly danger of suffocation by worldly influences.