Understanding ἀποτίθημι (apotithēmi) Strong’s G659: The Biblical Art of Laying Aside – From Physical Actions to Spiritual Transformation

Pronunciation Guide: ah-po-TITH-ay-mee (ἀπο = apo, τίθημι = tithēmi)

Basic Definition

Strong’s G659: A compound verb meaning “to put away, lay aside, or remove,” formed from ἀπο (away from) and τίθημι (to place or put). The word describes both the physical act of removing and setting something aside as well as the metaphorical action of deliberately putting away behaviors, attitudes, or practices.

Etymology and Morphology

• Compound verb from ἀπο (away from) and τίθημι (to place)
• Primary usage in narrative and instructional passages
• Appears in both literal and metaphorical contexts
• Middle voice emphasizes personal involvement in the action
• Classical Greek origin with continued usage in Koine

ἀποτίθημι Morphology:

• ἀποτίθημι (present active indicative) – I put away/lay aside
• ἀπέθετο (aorist middle indicative) – he/she laid aside for themselves
• ἀποθέμενοι (aorist middle participle) – having laid aside
• ἀποθέσθαι (aorist middle infinitive) – to lay aside
• ἀποθέσθε (aorist middle imperative) – lay aside! (command)

Origin & History

The verb ἀποτίθημι has a rich history in classical Greek literature, where it was commonly used to describe the physical action of depositing items for safekeeping or removing clothing. Xenophon employed it in his “Anabasis” (4.3.12) to describe soldiers laying down their shields. The term gained particular significance in the Septuagint, where it appears in Exodus 33:5 describing the Israelites removing their ornaments as a sign of repentance.

In early Christian literature, Church Fathers like Clement of Alexandria (Stromata 1.1) expanded its usage to emphasize spiritual transformation, particularly in the context of removing old habits and sinful behaviors to put on the new life in the Messiah.

Expanded Definitions & Translation Options

• To put away or lay aside physically (clothing, objects)
• To remove from oneself (attitudes, behaviors)
• To deposit for safekeeping
• To renounce or discard completely

ἀποτίθημι Translation Options:

• “Lay aside” – Emphasizes deliberate action and complete separation
• “Put away” – Suggests permanent removal
• “Strip off” – Used particularly with clothing metaphors
• “Set aside” – Implies careful and intentional placement
• “Remove completely” – Stresses the ἀπο prefix’s sense of separation

Biblical Usage

The New Testament employs ἀποτίθημι in both literal and metaphorical contexts, with a particular emphasis on the spiritual act of removing old patterns of life to embrace new life in the Messiah. Its first appearance in Acts 7:58 presents a powerful historical moment where witnesses laid aside their garments at Saul’s feet before stoning Stephen, ironically foreshadowing Saul’s own future transformation.

The metaphorical usage becomes prominent in the epistles, where it frequently appears in passages about spiritual transformation and sanctification. This dual usage creates a powerful visual metaphor that connects physical actions with spiritual realities.

• “And the witnesses laid aside [ἀπέθεντο] their robes at the feet of a young man named Saul.” Acts 7:58
• “That you lay aside [ἀποθέσθαι] the old self, which is being corrupted.” Ephesians 4:22
• “Let us lay aside [ἀποθώμεθα] every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us.” Hebrews 12:1
• “Putting aside [ἀποθέμενοι] all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness.” James 1:21
• “Putting aside [ἀποθέμενοι] all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy.” 1 Peter 2:1

Cultural Insights

In ancient Jewish culture, the act of laying aside garments carried significant symbolic meaning. Before entering the Temple, priests would remove their everyday clothes and put on sacred garments, symbolizing the transition from secular to sacred space. This practice informed the New Testament’s use of ἀποτίθημι as a metaphor for spiritual transformation.

The concept also connects to the Jewish practice of tashlikh during Rosh Hashanah, where sins are symbolically cast away into flowing water. This ritual, though developed later, reflects the ancient understanding of physically representing spiritual realities – a concept that permeates the use of ἀποτίθημι in Scripture.

Theological Significance

The theological richness of ἀποτίθημι lies in its representation of the transformative power of salvation in the Messiah. It emphasizes that our relationship with God requires both removing the old and putting on the new. This dual action reflects the complete nature of salvation – it’s not merely about stopping sinful behavior but about thorough transformation.

The word appears strategically in passages about sanctification, highlighting that spiritual growth involves active participation in laying aside what hinders our walk with God. This demonstrates His grace in both enabling and requiring our participation in the sanctification process, showing that while salvation is entirely His work, we are called to actively engage in our spiritual transformation.

Personal Application

The practical implications of ἀποτίθημι challenge believers to examine what needs to be “laid aside” in their walk with God. Just as we thoughtfully decide what physical items to remove or keep, we should regularly evaluate our attitudes, behaviors, and priorities, consciously setting aside anything that hinders our spiritual growth.

This word reminds us that spiritual transformation isn’t passive – it requires intentional action. When we struggle with persistent sin or unhealthy patterns, ἀποτίθημι encourages us to take decisive action in partnership with the Holy Spirit’s work in our lives.

Related Words

• ἐνδύω (endyō) – to put on, clothe oneself – often used as the positive counterpart to ἀποτίθημι, emphasizing what we put on after laying aside the old. See G1746
• ἐκδύω (ekdyō) – to strip off, remove clothing – focuses specifically on the removal aspect without the implication of replacement. See G1562
• καταργέω (katargeō) – to render inactive, abolish – emphasizes the cessation of function rather than physical removal. See G2673
• ἀφίημι (aphiēmi) – to send away, forgive – shares the concept of separation but focuses more on release than removal. See G863

Did you Know?

• The prefix ἀπο- in ἀποτίθημι is the same prefix used in “apocalypse,” carrying the idea of unveiling or removing what covers – suggesting that laying aside the old self reveals the true nature God intended.
• In ancient Greek athletic competitions, athletes would literally “lay aside” (ἀποτίθημι) their outer garments before competing, a practice that likely influenced the metaphor in Hebrews 12:1 about laying aside everything that hinders.
• Modern Greek still uses forms of ἀποτίθημι in banking terminology for “depositing” money, preserving the ancient sense of carefully placing something aside for safekeeping.

Remember This

ἀποτίθημι embodies the transformative journey of faith – a deliberate laying aside of the old to embrace the new life God provides in the Messiah.