548. apeimi
Lexical Summary
apeimi: absent, am absent, remain absent

Original Word: ἀπείμι
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: apeimi
Pronunciation: ä-pā'-ē-mē
Phonetic Spelling: (ap'-i-mee)
KJV: be absent
NASB: absent, am absent, remain absent
Word Origin: [from G575 (ἀπό - since) and G1510 (εἰμί - am)]

1. to be absent, away

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
be absent.

From apo and eimi; to be away -- be absent. Compare apeimi.

see GREEK apo

see GREEK eimi

see GREEK apeimi

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
from apo and eimi
Definition
to be away, i.e. to be absent
NASB Translation
absent (5), am absent (1), remain absent (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon
STRONGS NT 548: ἄπειμι (1)

ἄπειμι (1); (εἰμί to be); (from Homer down); to be away, be absent: 1 Corinthians 5:3; 2 Corinthians 10:1, 11; 2 Corinthians 13:2, 10; Colossians 2:5; Philippians 1:27; (in all cases except Colossians, the passage cited opposed to πάρειμι).

Topical Lexicon
Overview

Strong’s Greek 548 (ἀπεῖμι) expresses the state of being physically away or absent. While simple in meaning, every New Testament occurrence is tightly woven into Paul’s pastoral strategy, revealing how an apostle shepherded congregations even when separated by distance.

New Testament Usage

Occurrences are confined to seven verses, all in Pauline epistles:

1 Corinthians 5:3
2 Corinthians 10:1, 10:11; 13:2; 13:10
Colossians 2:5
Philippians 1:27

Each reference places ἀπεῖμι in deliberate contrast with παρουσία (“presence”) to highlight that physical separation does not diminish spiritual oversight, affection, or authority.

Spiritual Presence vs. Physical Absence

Paul repeatedly stresses a paradox: “For though I am absent in body, I am present with you in spirit” (Colossians 2:5). By the Spirit, apostolic concern transcends geography. The phrase assures believers that pastoral care is not limited to face-to-face contact; it anticipates the church’s later experience of being nurtured by inspired writings rather than personal visits.

Apostolic Authority Exercised From Afar

Letter-writing was not a second-rate option for Paul. He reminds Corinth, “Such people should consider that what we are in our letters when absent, we will be in our actions when present” (2 Corinthians 10:11). His epistolary rebukes carry the same weight as his in-person discipline and are backed by eventual visitation if repentance lags (2 Corinthians 13:2, 13:10).

Pastoral Concern and Discipline

The strongest disciplinary passage, 1 Corinthians 5:3, shows Paul pronouncing judgment on an unrepentant sinner even while “absent.” The church is instructed to act corporately, proving that congregational holiness can and must be safeguarded under apostolic guidance whether or not the overseer is physically present.

Call to Consistent Conduct

Philippians 1:27 expands the theme from discipline to encouragement: “Conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I will hear of your affairs…”. The believer’s obligation to walk worthy of the gospel is constant, independent of external supervision.

Historical Insight

In the first-century Mediterranean world, travel was arduous and slow; yet Paul’s missionary heart could not wait until the next voyage. Papyrus letters, carried by trusted co-workers like Tychicus or Epaphroditus, became crucial instruments for doctrine, correction, and exhortation. The Spirit’s choice to inspire many of those letters for the canon means that ἀπεῖμι is indirectly responsible for a sizable portion of the New Testament we cherish today.

Implications for Church Life Today

1. Scriptural letters carry binding authority equal to an apostle’s physical voice.
2. Spiritual unity is not confined by distance; intercession, encouragement, and accountability remain effective across miles.
3. Churches may rightly engage in discipline and edification under the guidance of Scripture and qualified leaders, even when founding missionaries or pastors are no longer present.

Related Concepts

• παρουσία – physical presence, often contrasted with ἀπεῖμι.
• πνεῦμα – spirit; seat of the believer’s shared life that enables true fellowship despite absence.
• ἐπιστολή – letter; the practical medium through which the authority behind ἀπεῖμι is exercised.

In every instance, Strong’s 548 reminds believers that Christ’s church, sustained by the Spirit and Scripture, is neither hindered nor fragmented by physical separation.

Forms and Transliterations
απειμι άπειμι ἄπειμι απέσται απιόντος αποντες απόντες ἀπόντες απων απών ἀπὼν apeimi ápeimi apon apōn apṑn apontes apóntes
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Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
1 Corinthians 5:3 V-PP-NMS
GRK: μὲν γάρ ἀπὼν τῷ σώματι
NAS: though absent in body
KJV: verily, as absent in body, but
INT: indeed though being absent in body

2 Corinthians 10:1 V-PP-NMS
GRK: ἐν ὑμῖν ἀπὼν δὲ θαρρῶ
NAS: toward you when absent!
KJV: you, but being absent am bold toward
INT: among you absent however am bold

2 Corinthians 10:11 V-PP-NMP
GRK: δι' ἐπιστολῶν ἀπόντες τοιοῦτοι καὶ
NAS: by letters when absent, such persons
KJV: letters when we are absent, such
INT: by letters being absent such [we are] also

2 Corinthians 13:2 V-PP-NMS
GRK: δεύτερον καὶ ἀπὼν νῦν τοῖς
NAS: and though now absent I say in advance
KJV: time; and being absent now
INT: second time and being absent now to those who

2 Corinthians 13:10 V-PP-NMS
GRK: τοῦτο ταῦτα ἀπὼν γράφω ἵνα
NAS: these things while absent, so
KJV: these things being absent, lest
INT: Therefore these things being absent I write that

Philippians 1:27 V-PP-NMS
GRK: ὑμᾶς εἴτε ἀπὼν ἀκούω τὰ
NAS: you or remain absent, I will hear
KJV: or else be absent, I may hear
INT: you or being absent I might hear the things

Colossians 2:5 V-PI-1S
GRK: τῇ σαρκὶ ἄπειμι ἀλλὰ τῷ
NAS: though I am absent in body,
KJV: though I be absent in the flesh,
INT: in the flesh I am absent yet

Strong's Greek 548
7 Occurrences


ἄπειμι — 1 Occ.
ἀπὼν — 5 Occ.
ἀπόντες — 1 Occ.

547
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