Brief Overview of ἐκστρέφω (Strong’s G1612: ekstrephō)

Introduction

In Biblical studies, delving into the original Greek words used in the New Testament can unlock deeper meanings and more accurate interpretations of the text. One such word is ἐκστρέφω (ekstrephō), which appears only once in the New Testament but carries significant implications. Understanding this word provides insight into the cultural and moral connotations of behavior, particularly in the context of the New Testament’s teachings on ethics and morality. Moreover, exploring this word’s usage in classical Greek literature offers a glimpse into how ancient Greek culture perceived and articulated the concept of being turned away or perverted.

Key Information

• Greek Word: ἐκστρέφω (ekstrephō) [ek-STREH-pho]
• Etymology: Composed of the preposition ἐκ (ek, meaning “out of”) and the verb στρέφω (strephō, meaning “to turn”). Together, it literally means “to turn out” or “to turn away.”
• Part of Speech: Verb (Second Aorist Active Indicative, First Person Singular)
• The F.O.G Word Choice: Coming Soon

Primary Meanings

• To Pervert – To turn something from its original course, meaning, or state to a distortion or corruption of what was first intended.
• To Turn Away – To cause to move away or deviate from a particular path or direction.
• To Divert – To cause something to change direction or turn from its intended purpose.

Similar Words:

• διαστρέφω (diastrephō): Another verb meaning “to pervert” or “to distort,” but often used with a stronger sense of twisting something into an entirely different form.
• μεταστρέφω (metastrephō): Similar in meaning, this word emphasizes a more complete transformation or change, often with a negative connotation, such as turning something good into evil.

Further Insights:

• Morphology: The verb ἐκστρέφω is in the second aorist active indicative, a tense that generally indicates a simple, undefined action in the past. Its morphological structure shows a compound formation that emphasizes the action of turning out or turning away. The verb is rarely used in the New Testament, appearing only once, which highlights the specificity of its application in the context where it is found. Here is the full conjugation for the verb in the aorist tense:

Lexicon Insights

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• BDAG: Explains ἐκστρέφω as a verb meaning “to pervert” or “to distort,” particularly in moral or ethical contexts. It is used in reference to turning someone away from correct behavior or truth.
• Thayers: Notes that the word is employed in the New Testament to signify a moral deviation, highlighting its strong connotation of corruption and ethical turning away.
• Vines: Points out that ἐκστρέφω conveys a deliberate turning or twisting of something into a form that is opposite to its original intent, often in a negative or harmful sense.
• LSJ: Adds that in classical Greek, the term was used broadly to mean turning away or turning out, often in physical or metaphorical senses.
• Strongs Exhaustive Concordance: Defines the word as “to pervert,” with emphasis on its application in turning someone from truth to falsehood or from righteousness to sin.

Scripture References

• Titus 1:11 – “They must be silenced because they are upsetting whole families, teaching things they should not teach for the sake of sordid gain. One of them, a prophet of their own, said, ‘Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.’ This testimony is true. For this reason, reprove them severely so that they may be sound in the faith, not paying attention to Jewish myths and commandments of men who turn (ἐκστρέφω) from the truth.”

Classical Usage

Summary of ἐκστρέφω (G1612: ekstrephō)

The Greek word ἐκστρέφω (ekstrephō) captures the idea of turning away from a correct or intended path, often with a negative moral implication. In the New Testament, it is used to describe those who pervert the truth, leading others astray. This verb’s usage in both Biblical and classical contexts emphasizes its role in depicting a deviation from righteousness or truth, making it a significant word for understanding the moral and ethical teachings in the New Testament. Its rare occurrence in scripture highlights its importance in the specific context in which it is used, providing a powerful illustration of the consequences of moral perversion.

Did You Know?

In ancient Greek philosophy, the concept of ἐκστρέφω was often discussed in the context of moral ethics, where turning away from truth was considered one of the gravest errors, leading to ignorance and societal decay.