Understanding ἀποστρέφω (apostrephō) Strong’s G654: The Powerful Greek Word for Turning Away and its Deep Spiritual Implications

Pronunciation Guide: ah-po-STREH-phō (ἀ-πο-στρέ-φω)

Basic Definition

Strong’s G654: ἀποστρέφω is a compound verb that fundamentally means “to turn away from” or “to cause to turn away.” It combines the preposition ἀπό (away from) with στρέφω (to turn), creating a vivid picture of decisive movement away from something or someone. This word carries both physical and metaphorical connotations of rejection, avoidance, or returning.

Etymology and Morphology

• Compound verb formed from ἀπό (from, away from) + στρέφω (to turn)
• Primary usage in narrative and teaching passages
• Common in both literal physical movement and metaphorical spiritual contexts
• Frequent appearance in warnings and ethical instructions
• Used in both active and passive voice with distinct theological implications

ἀποστρέφω Morphology:

• ἀποστρέφω (present active indicative) – I turn away
• ἀποστρέφομαι (present middle/passive indicative) – I turn myself away/am turned away
• ἀπέστρεψα (aorist active indicative) – I turned away
• ἀπεστράφην (aorist passive indicative) – I was turned away
• ἀποστραφήσομαι (future passive indicative) – I will be turned away
• ἀπόστρεψον (aorist active imperative) – Turn away!

Origin & History

The word ἀποστρέφω has a rich history in classical Greek literature, where it was commonly used to describe physical movement away from something. In Thucydides’ “History of the Peloponnesian War,” the term appears frequently in military contexts to describe troops turning away from battle or changing direction. Xenophon employs it similarly in his “Anabasis” to describe both literal and metaphorical turning away.

In the Septuagint (LXX), ἀποστρέφω takes on deeper theological significance, often translating the Hebrew שׁוּב (shuv) when describing Israel’s turning away from יהוה (Yahweh) or His turning away His anger. The prophetic books particularly employ this term to describe spiritual apostasy and divine response to sin.

The early Church Fathers, particularly Clement of Alexandria in his “Protrepticus,” use ἀποστρέφω to describe the Christian’s necessary turning away from pagan practices and worldly values, building on its rich biblical heritage.

Expanded Definitions & Translation Options

• To turn away physically from a person or object
• To return or send back something
• To cause someone to turn away (in active voice)
• To turn oneself away from (in middle voice)
• To be turned away or rejected (in passive voice)

ἀποστρέφω Translation Options:

• “Turn away from” – Best captures the physical movement aspect
• “Reject” – Appropriate for contexts involving deliberate refusal
• “Return” – Suitable when describing sending something back
• “Avoid” – Useful in contexts of conscious evasion
• “Repulse” – Fitting for contexts of active rejection

Biblical Usage

In the New Testament, ἀποστρέφω appears in several significant contexts. Its first appearance in Matthew 5:42 occurs in the Sermon on the Mount, where the Messiah teaches against turning away from those who wish to borrow. This usage establishes a foundational ethical principle about generosity and compassion.

The term takes on particular theological weight in passages dealing with spiritual rejection or return. Peter employs it powerfully in Acts 3:26 to describe the Messiah’s role in turning people away from their wickedness, while Paul uses it to describe those who turn away from the truth in 2 Timothy 4:4.

Key Biblical References:

• “from him that would borrow of thee, turn not thou away” [ἀποστραφῇς] Matthew 5:42
• “in turning away every one of you from his iniquities” [ἀποστρέφειν] Acts 3:26
• “And they shall turn away their ears from the truth” [ἀποστρέψουσιν] 2 Timothy 4:4
• “For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous… but His face is turned away from them that do evil” [ἀπέστραπται] 1 Peter 3:12

Cultural Insights

In ancient Jewish culture, the concept of turning away was deeply significant, often associated with the practice of excommunication or herem (חרם). When someone was placed under herem, the community would literally turn away from them, a practice that forms the background for some New Testament uses of ἀποστρέφω.

The physical act of turning away also had ceremonial significance in both Greek and Jewish cultures. In Greek temples, worshippers would turn away from the deity’s image after prayer, while in Jewish practice, turning away from the Holy of Holies required walking backwards to avoid showing one’s back to the sacred space.

Theological Significance

The theological usage of ἀποστρέφω reveals profound truths about divine-human relationships. When used of God, it often describes His holy response to sin, turning His face away from evil while maintaining His covenant faithfulness. This divine turning away is always remedial rather than final, intended to bring about repentance and restoration.

In human contexts, the word serves as both warning and invitation. It warns against turning away from truth and righteousness while inviting believers to turn away from sin and worldliness. This dual aspect reflects the transformative nature of faith, where turning away from evil necessarily accompanies turning toward God.

The word also plays a crucial role in understanding divine sovereignty and human responsibility in salvation. While humans are commanded not to turn away from God, it is ultimately His grace that prevents such turning, as seen in prayers like Psalm 51:11 (LXX).

Personal Application

Understanding ἀποστρέφω challenges us to examine what we turn away from in our daily lives. Are we turning away from those in need, contrary to the Messiah’s teaching? Are we turning away from truth in favor of comfortable falsehoods? The word calls us to decisive action – turning away from sin while remaining engaged with those who need our help and witness.

This word also offers comfort by reminding us that while God may turn His face away from sin, He never ultimately turns away from His children. In our moments of failure and repentance, we can trust in His unfailing covenant love.

Related Words

• ἐπιστρέφω (epistrephō) – to turn toward, convert; emphasizes the positive direction of turning toward God or truth. See G1994
• στρέφω (strephō) – to turn, turn around; the simple form without directional prefix. See G4762
• ἀποτρέπω (apotrepō) – to turn away from, avoid; similar meaning but less common in NT. See G665
• μεταστρέφω (metastrephō) – to turn around, change; emphasizes transformation. See G3344

Did you Know?

• In modern Greek, ἀποστρέφομαι still carries the meaning of “to detest” or “to feel repulsion toward,” showing the enduring strength of the word’s emotional connotations.
• The English word “apostrophe” derives from a related form of this word, originally referring to a turning away from the audience in ancient Greek theater to deliver a soliloquy.
• In the Dead Sea Scrolls, the Hebrew equivalent (שׁוּב) appears frequently in community rules describing the process of turning away from evil, providing important context for understanding New Testament usage.

Remember This

ἀποστρέφω embodies the powerful biblical truth that genuine faith involves both turning away from evil and remaining engaged with those who need the light of the Messiah.