Lexical Summary allassó: To change, exchange, transform Original Word: ἀλλάσσω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance change. From allos; to make different -- change. see GREEK allos NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom allos Definition to change NASB Translation alter (1), change (1), changed (3), exchanged (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 236: ἀλλάσσωἀλλάσσω: future ἀλλάζω; 1 aorist ἤλλαξα; 2 future passive ἀλλαγήσομαι; (ἄλλος); (from Aeschylus down); to change: to cause one thing to cease and another to take its place, τά ἔθη, Acts 6:14; τήν φωνήν to vary the voice, i. e., to speak in a different manner according to the different conditions of minds, to adapt the matter and form of discourse to mental moods, to treat them now severely, now gently, Galatians 4:20 (but see Meyer at the passage), to exchange one thing for another: τί ἐν τίνι, Romans 1:23 (בְּ הֵמִיר Psalm 105:20 Topical Lexicon OverviewStrong’s Greek 236 embraces the idea of an exchange or change—sometimes glorious, sometimes disastrous—depending on the context in which the verb appears. Across its six New Testament occurrences the term frames two great biblical polarities: (1) the fatal trade of God’s glory for idols and (2) the gracious transformation of people, customs and even the created order under the hand of God. A Tale of Two Exchanges 1. Sinful exchange (Romans 1:23) “...and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images of mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles.” Here the word depicts humankind’s downward spiral when the knowledge of God is willfully bartered away. The verb accentuates culpable initiative: the creature takes what is infinitely valuable and trades it for what is worthless. This single occurrence colors the entire theological backdrop of Paul’s doctrine of depravity and the need for redemptive change. 2. Divine transformation (all other uses) Resurrection Hope The dual occurrence in 1 Corinthians 15 stands at the heart of Christian eschatology. The passive future—“we will be changed”—places the initiative squarely with God, ensuring that the perishable will “put on the imperishable.” The verb communicates instantaneous yet comprehensive metamorphosis, guaranteeing continuity of personal identity while introducing a glorified state suited for eternal fellowship with Christ. Christ’s Immutability versus Creation’s Mutability Hebrews 1:12 juxtaposes creation’s eventual alteration with the Son’s unchangeableness. The same verb that underscores believers’ transformation also magnifies the Lord’s constancy: everything else changes; He does not. This serves as a doctrinal anchor for worship and assurance, for the Redeemer transcends the very process He wields. Theological and Pastoral Dimensions • Idolatry warns the church against exchanging revealed glory for cultural substitutes. Historical Usage and Early Church Reflection The Septuagint often uses related forms to describe Israel’s tragic swaps—glory for shame, wisdom for folly—providing a background that early Christian writers exploited in polemic against paganism. Patristic sermons highlighted Romans 1:23 to contrast the idol-making arts with the Spirit’s artistry in re-creating humanity. Meanwhile, 1 Corinthians 15 became a liturgical cornerstone for funerals and Resurrection Sunday worship, assuring the faithful of the final “change” still to come. Ministry Significance Today • Evangelism confronts modern idolatries by exposing the false exchange of transcendence for triviality. Forms and Transliterations αλλαγησομεθα αλλαγησόμεθα ἀλλαγησόμεθα αλλαγησονται αλλαγήσονται ἀλλαγήσονται αλλαξαι αλλάξαι ἀλλάξαι αλλάξατε αλλαξει αλλάξει ἀλλάξει αλλάξεις αλλάξεται αλλάξη αλλάξης άλλαξον αλλάξουσιν αλλάξωνται αλλασσομένας αλλασσόμενοι αλλάσσων ηλλαξαν ήλλαξαν ἤλλαξαν ηλλάξαντο ηλλάξατο ήλλαξε allagesometha allagesómetha allagēsometha allagēsómetha allagesontai allagēsontai allagḗsontai allaxai alláxai allaxei alláxei ellaxan ēllaxan ḗllaxanLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Acts 6:14 V-FIA-3SGRK: τοῦτον καὶ ἀλλάξει τὰ ἔθη NAS: this place and alter the customs which KJV: and shall change the customs INT: this and will change the customs Romans 1:23 V-AIA-3P 1 Corinthians 15:51 V-FIP-1P 1 Corinthians 15:52 V-FIP-1P Galatians 4:20 V-ANA Hebrews 1:12 V-FIP-3P Strong's Greek 236 |
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