Understanding ἀπορρίπτω (aporrhiptō) Strong’s G641: The Dramatic Act of Casting Off or Throwing Away in Times of Crisis

Pronunciation Guide: ah-por-HRIP-toh

Basic Definition

Strong’s G641: To cast off, throw away, or hurl away with force. This dramatic verb emphasizes intentional and decisive separation, often in contexts of emergency or urgent situations. It conveys the idea of deliberately discarding or casting something (or someone) away from oneself with determined purpose.

Etymology and Morphology

• Compound verb formed from ἀπό (away from) + ῥίπτω (to throw)
• Primary usage in narrative sections, particularly in dramatic scenes
• Found in classical Greek literature describing decisive actions
• Appears in both literal and metaphorical contexts

ἀπορρίπτω Morphology:

• ἀπορρίπτω (present active indicative) – I throw away
• ἀπέρριψεν (aorist active indicative) – he/she threw away
• ἀπορρίψαντες (aorist active participle nominative plural) – having thrown away
• ἀπορρίπτειν (present active infinitive) – to throw away

Origin & History

The word ἀπορρίπτω has deep roots in classical Greek literature, where it was commonly used to describe the forceful removal or discarding of objects, clothing, or even people. In Homer’s Odyssey, it appears in contexts of casting away burdens or throwing items overboard during storms. The compound structure emphasizes the complete separation between the subject and object.

The Septuagint employs ἀπορρίπτω in several dramatic contexts, particularly in Psalm 2:3 where nations seek to cast off divine authority. Josephus uses the term in his historical works when describing acts of desperation or decisive action, such as soldiers throwing away their weapons in retreat.

Expanded Definitions & Translation Options

• To cast off or throw away with force and decisive intent
• To dispatch or send away urgently
• To reject or discard completely
• To hurl away in an emergency situation

ἀπορρίπτω Translation Options:

• “Cast off” – Best captures the deliberate and forceful nature of the action
• “Throw overboard” – Particularly appropriate in nautical contexts
• “Hurl away” – Emphasizes the violent or urgent nature of the action
• “Discard completely” – Useful for metaphorical contexts
• “Launch oneself” – Used in contexts of personal action or movement

Biblical Usage

The most dramatic use of ἀπορρίπτω appears in Acts 27:43, where it describes the action of soldiers casting themselves into the sea during Paul’s shipwreck. This usage perfectly captures the word’s connotation of decisive action in crisis situations.

The term’s rarity in the New Testament (appearing only once) makes its usage particularly significant. However, its appearance in the Septuagint provides additional context for understanding its full semantic range.

• “The centurion… commanded that those who could swim should cast themselves off first [ἀπορρίψαντας] and get to land” Acts 27:43

Cultural Insights

In the ancient Mediterranean world, the act of throwing something overboard during a storm was a well-understood emergency procedure. Ships would carry sacrificial cargo specifically for this purpose. The cultural practice of “jettisoning” cargo was so common that maritime laws were developed to address the financial implications of such actions.

The use of ἀπορρίπτω in Acts 27:43 would have resonated powerfully with ancient readers familiar with seafaring practices. The centurion’s command to cast oneself into the sea would have been recognized as a decisive action necessary for survival, rather than an act of desperation.

Theological Significance

The appearance of ἀπορρίπτω in Acts 27 provides a powerful metaphor for decisive spiritual action. Just as the soldiers had to cast themselves into the sea to reach safety, believers sometimes must take decisive action in their spiritual journey. This connects to the Messiah’s teachings about counting the cost and making decisive breaks with anything that hinders our relationship with Him.

The word also reminds us of God’s sovereignty even in crisis situations. In the Acts narrative, what appears to be a desperate action is actually part of God’s plan to preserve Paul and fulfill His promise that all would reach land safely. This demonstrates how apparent crisis points can be divine opportunities for witnessing God’s faithfulness.

Personal Application

When facing spiritual challenges or life crises, the concept of ἀπορρίπτω challenges us to take decisive action rather than remaining passive. Just as the soldiers in Acts had to actively cast themselves into the sea to reach safety, we too might need to make bold moves in response to God’s leading, even when such actions seem risky from a human perspective.

This word encourages us to consider: What do we need to decisively cast off to move forward in our spiritual journey? What “safe” positions might we need to abandon to reach God’s intended destination for us?

Related Words

• ῥίπτω (rhiptō) – to throw, cast, toss; the simple form of our compound word. Emphasizes the basic action without the sense of separation – See G4496
• βάλλω (ballō) – to throw, cast, put; a more general term for throwing or placing – See G906
• ἐκβάλλω (ekballō) – to cast out, drive out; emphasizes removal from a specific place – See G1544
• ἀποτίθημι (apotithēmi) – to put off, lay aside; suggests a more deliberate laying aside – See G659

Did you Know?

• Ancient Mediterranean ships often carried “sacrificial cargo” specifically designated for throwing overboard in emergencies, showing how common the action of ἀπορρίπτω was in nautical contexts.
• The word ἀπορρίπτω appears in ancient Greek athletic texts describing the decisive moment when a discus thrower releases their throw, emphasizing the critical timing and deliberate nature of the action.
• Modern Greek still uses ἀπορρίπτω in legal contexts to describe the rejection of proposals or appeals, maintaining its sense of decisive action even in contemporary usage.

Remember This

ἀπορρίπτω embodies the powerful truth that sometimes our greatest acts of faith require us to decisively cast ourselves into God’s hands, trusting His faithfulness even when we cannot see the outcome.