2010. epitrepó
Lexical Summary
epitrepó: To permit, to allow, to give leave

Original Word: ἐπιτρέπω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: epitrepó
Pronunciation: eh-pee-TREH-po
Phonetic Spelling: (ep-ee-trep'-o)
KJV: give leave (liberty, license), let, permit, suffer
NASB: permit, permitted, allow, allowed, gave permission, permits, given permission
Word Origin: [from G1909 (ἐπί - over) and the base of G5157 (τροπή - shifting)]

1. to turn over (transfer), i.e. allow, permit

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
give leave, let, permit.

From epi and the base of trope; to turn over (transfer), i.e. Allow -- give leave (liberty, license), let, permit, suffer.

see GREEK epi

see GREEK trope

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
from epi and the same as tropé
Definition
to turn to, entrust, hence to permit
NASB Translation
allow (2), allowed (2), gave...permission (2), given...permission (1), granted permission (1), permit (4), permits (2), permitted (4).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon
STRONGS NT 2010: ἐπιτρέπω

ἐπιτρέπω; 1 aorist ἐπέτρεψά; passive (present ἐπιτρέπομαι); 2 aorist ἐπετραπην; perfect 3 person singular ἐπιτέτραπται (1 Corinthians 14:34 R G); from Homer down;

1. to turn to, transfer, commit, intrust.

2. to permit, allow, give leave: 1 Corinthians 16:7; Hebrews 6:3; τίνι, Mark 5:13; John 19:38; with an infinitive added, Matthew 8:21; Matthew 19:8; Luke 8:32; Luke 9:59, 61; Acts 21:39; 1 Timothy 2:12; and without the dative Mark 10:4; followed by an accusative with an infinitive Acts 27:3 (where L T Tr WH πορευθέντι); cf. Xenophon, an. 7, 7, 8; Plato, legg. 5, p. 730 d. Passive ἐπιτρέπεται τίνι, with an infinitive: Acts 26:1; Acts 28:16; 1 Corinthians 14:34.

STRONGS NT 2010a: ἐπιτροπεύω [ἐπιτροπεύω; (from Herodotus down); "to be ἐπίτροπος or procurator": of Pontius Pilate in Luke 3:1 WH (rejected) marginal reading; see their Appendix at the passage.]

Topical Lexicon
Scope of the Word’s Usage

The verb appears in eighteen New Testament passages and always concerns “permission” given or withheld. Sometimes the initiative is divine, sometimes human, but in every case authority, order and moral purpose are in view.

Divine Concession versus Divine Ideal

Matthew 19:8 and Mark 10:4 record Jesus’ explanation that “Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because of your hardness of heart. But it was not this way from the beginning.” Permission here is a concession, not an endorsement, underscoring how divine forbearance accommodates fallen weakness while still pointing back to God’s creational design for marriage (Genesis 2:24). The passage reminds believers to distinguish between what God merely allows and what He positively wills.

Christ’s Sovereign Permission over the Spiritual Realm

In the Gerasene exorcism (Mark 5:13; Luke 8:32) the demons “begged” Jesus for leave to enter a herd of pigs, and “He gave them permission.” Their request and His consent highlight Christ’s unchallenged authority: the powers of darkness cannot act apart from His word. The drowning of the swine demonstrates judgment on unclean spirits and the priceless worth of a single redeemed soul compared with material loss.

Providence Guiding Redemptive History

Joseph of Arimathea received Pilate’s approval to remove Jesus’ body (John 19:38). What appeared as a routine administrative decision fulfilled prophecy that the Messiah would be buried “with a rich man” (Isaiah 53:9). God’s sovereign permission quietly directed civil authority to accomplish salvation history.

Apostolic Courtesy within Civil Structures

Repeatedly Luke notes the Roman system granting Paul opportunity to minister:

Acts 21:39–40 – Paul seeks and receives leave to address the crowd in Jerusalem.
Acts 26:1 – “Then Agrippa said to Paul, ‘You are permitted to speak for yourself.’”
Acts 27:3; 28:16 – a centurion and later the prefect of Rome allow liberty that furthers the mission.

The pattern models respectful appeal to governing powers (Romans 13:1), showing how God can open doors through secular authority for gospel witness.

Contingency on the Lord’s Will

Both Hebrews 6:3 and 1 Corinthians 16:7 hinge future plans on divine allowance: “And this we will do, if God permits.” Such language cultivates humble dependence (James 4:15). Ministry strategy, spiritual maturity and personal travel are submitted to God’s overruling right.

Order in Congregational Life

The verb marks two decisive pastoral prohibitions:

1 Corinthians 14:34 – “Women should remain silent in the churches. They are not permitted to speak…”
1 Timothy 2:12 – “I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man…”

Paul grounds these limits in creation (1 Timothy 2:13) and the law (1 Corinthians 14:34), establishing a trans-cultural principle for corporate worship and authoritative teaching. The passages safeguard complementary male leadership while honoring women’s manifold gifts within scriptural boundaries (Titus 2:3–5; Acts 18:26).

Prayerful Evangelistic Initiative

In Acts 21:39 Paul asks, “I beg you, allow me to speak to the people.” The request reflects evangelistic urgency coupled with submission to order. Believers today likewise seek lawful avenues for proclamation, praying that God would “open to us a door for the word” (Colossians 4:3).

Pastoral Discernment about Instruction

Hebrews 6:3 teaches that progressing from elementary doctrine to deeper truths requires divine clearance. Teachers must wait on the Lord’s timing, ensuring hearers are ready lest truth be squandered (Matthew 7:6). Spiritual growth is ultimately a gift God grants.

Key Theological Themes

1. Sovereignty: Nothing proceeds without God’s consent.
2. Responsibility: Humans are answerable for how they use delegated authority.
3. Order and Peace: Proper permission fosters edification and guards against chaos (1 Corinthians 14:40).
4. Humility: Even apostles and demons alike recognize limits imposed by a higher throne.
5. Mission: Permissions—civil or supernatural—function as hinges on which the gospel advances.

Practical Implications

• Seek civil compliance when evangelizing; God often works through lawful channels.
• Distinguish between divine concession and divine ideal; do not elevate permission to prescription.
• Submit personal plans to the Lord’s allowance, acknowledging His prerogative to redirect.
• Uphold apostolic instructions regarding church order, preserving the balance of authority and dignity established in Scripture.

Forms and Transliterations
επέδραμε επετραπη επετράπη ἐπετράπη επετρέψατε επετρέψε επέτρεψε επετρεψεν επετρέψεν επέτρεψεν ἐπέτρεψεν επιτέτραπται επιτρεπεται επιτρέπεταί ἐπιτρέπεται Ἐπιτρέπεταί επιτρεπη επιτρέπη ἐπιτρέπῃ επιτρεπω επιτρέπω ἐπιτρέπω επιτρεψαντος επιτρέψαντος ἐπιτρέψαντος επιτρεψη επιτρέψη ἐπιτρέψῃ επιτρεψον επίτρεψον επίτρεψόν ἐπίτρεψόν επιτριβήσονται επιτρίψεις epetrape epetrapē epetrápe epetrápē epetrepsen epétrepsen epitrepe epitrepē epitrépei epitrépēi epitrepetai epitrépetai Epitrépetaí epitrepo epitrepō epitrépo epitrépō epitrepsantos epitrépsantos epitrepse epitrepsē epitrépsei epitrépsēi epitrepson epítrepsón
Links
Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
Matthew 8:21 V-AMA-2S
GRK: αὐτῷ Κύριε ἐπίτρεψόν μοι πρῶτον
NAS: to Him, Lord, permit me first
KJV: unto him, Lord, suffer me first
INT: to him Lord allow me first

Matthew 19:8 V-AIA-3S
GRK: σκληροκαρδίαν ὑμῶν ἐπέτρεψεν ὑμῖν ἀπολῦσαι
NAS: Moses permitted you to divorce
KJV: hearts suffered you
INT: hardness of heart of you allowed you to divorce

Mark 5:13 V-AIA-3S
GRK: καὶ ἐπέτρεψεν αὐτοῖς καὶ
NAS: Jesus gave them permission. And coming
KJV: gave them leave. And the unclean
INT: And he allowed them And

Mark 10:4 V-AIA-3S
GRK: δὲ εἶπαν Ἐπέτρεψεν Μωυσῆς βιβλίον
NAS: Moses permitted [a man] TO WRITE
KJV: Moses suffered to write
INT: and they said allowed Moses a bill

Luke 8:32 V-ASA-3S
GRK: αὐτὸν ἵνα ἐπιτρέψῃ αὐτοῖς εἰς
NAS: and [the demons] implored Him to permit them to enter
KJV: him that he would suffer them to enter
INT: him that he would allow them into

Luke 8:32 V-AIA-3S
GRK: εἰσελθεῖν καὶ ἐπέτρεψεν αὐτοῖς
NAS: them to enter the swine. And He gave them permission.
KJV: them. And he suffered them.
INT: to enter and he allowed them

Luke 9:59 V-AMA-2S
GRK: εἶπεν κύριε Ἐπίτρεψόν μοι πρῶτον
NAS: Lord, permit me first
KJV: he said, Lord, suffer me first
INT: he said Lord allow me first

Luke 9:61 V-AMA-2S
GRK: πρῶτον δὲ ἐπίτρεψόν μοι ἀποτάξασθαι
NAS: but first permit me to say good-bye
KJV: thee; but let me first
INT: first however allow me to bid farewell to

John 19:38 V-AIA-3S
GRK: Ἰησοῦ καὶ ἐπέτρεψεν ὁ Πιλᾶτος
NAS: and Pilate granted permission. So
KJV: Pilate gave [him] leave. He came
INT: of Jesus and gave leave Pilate

Acts 21:39 V-AMA-2S
GRK: δέ σου ἐπίτρεψόν μοι λαλῆσαι
NAS: and I beg you, allow me to speak
KJV: I beseech thee, suffer me to speak
INT: moreover you allow me to speak

Acts 21:40 V-APA-GMS
GRK: ἐπιτρέψαντος δὲ αὐτοῦ
NAS: When he had given him permission, Paul,
KJV: him licence, Paul
INT: having allowed [him] moreover he

Acts 26:1 V-PIM/P-3S
GRK: Παῦλον ἔφη Ἐπιτρέπεταί σοι περὶ
NAS: to Paul, You are permitted to speak
KJV: Paul, Thou art permitted to speak for
INT: Paul said It is allowed you for

Acts 27:3 V-AIA-3S
GRK: Παύλῳ χρησάμενος ἐπέτρεψεν πρὸς τοὺς
NAS: with consideration and allowed him to go
KJV: Paul, and gave [him] liberty to go
INT: Paul having treated allowed [him] to his

Acts 28:16 V-AIP-3S
GRK: τῷ στρατοπεδάρχῃ ἐπετράπη τῷ Παύλῳ
NAS: Paul was allowed to stay
KJV: but Paul was suffered to dwell by
INT: to the captain of the guard was allowed Paul

1 Corinthians 14:34 V-PIM/P-3S
GRK: οὐ γὰρ ἐπιτρέπεται αὐταῖς λαλεῖν
NAS: in the churches; for they are not permitted to speak,
KJV: not permitted unto them
INT: not indeed it is allowed to them to speak

1 Corinthians 16:7 V-ASA-3S
GRK: ὁ κύριος ἐπιτρέψῃ
NAS: if the Lord permits.
KJV: if the Lord permit.
INT: the Lord permits

1 Timothy 2:12 V-PIA-1S
GRK: γυναικὶ οὐκ ἐπιτρέπω οὐδὲ αὐθεντεῖν
NAS: But I do not allow a woman to teach
KJV: But I suffer not a woman
INT: a woman not I do allow nor to use authority over

Hebrews 6:3 V-PSA-3S
GRK: ποιήσομεν ἐάνπερ ἐπιτρέπῃ ὁ θεός
NAS: if God permits.
KJV: if God permit.
INT: will we do if indeed permits God

Strong's Greek 2010
18 Occurrences


ἐπετράπη — 1 Occ.
ἐπέτρεψεν — 6 Occ.
ἐπιτρέπῃ — 1 Occ.
Ἐπιτρέπεταί — 2 Occ.
ἐπιτρέπω — 1 Occ.
ἐπιτρέψαντος — 1 Occ.
ἐπιτρέψῃ — 2 Occ.
ἐπίτρεψόν — 4 Occ.

2009
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