Lexical Summary apekdechomai: To eagerly await, to expect fully Original Word: ἀπεκδέχομαι Strong's Exhaustive Concordance to await eagerlyFrom apo and ekdechomai; to expect fully -- look (wait) foreign see GREEK apo see GREEK ekdechomai HELPS Word-studies 553 apekdéxomai (from 575 /apó, "away from," 1209 /déxomai, "welcome" and 1557 /ekdíkēsis, "out of") – a triple compound (properly) meaning "welcome from and out of"; waiting that decisively "puts away" all that should remain behind. The prefix (apo) intensifies the root (dexomai) to emphasize the idea of separation. 553 (apekdéxomai) therefore is used of looking completely away from this world – and to the upcoming redemption of our body. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom apo and ekdechomai Definition to await eagerly NASB Translation awaiting eagerly (1), eagerly await (1), eagerly wait (1), wait eagerly (1), waiting (2), waiting eagerly (1), waits eagerly (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 553: ἀπεκδέχομαιἀπεκδέχομαι; (imperfect ἀπεξεδεχομην); assiduously and patiently to wait for (cf. English wait it out): absolutely, 1 Peter 3:20 (Rec. ἐκδέχομαι); τί, Romans 8:19, 23, 25; 1 Corinthians 1:7; Galatians 5:5 (on this passage cf. ἐλπίς; at the end); with the accusative of a person, Christ in his return from heaven: Philippians 3:20; Hebrews 9:28. Cf. C. F. A. Fritzsche in Fritzschiorum Opuscc., p. 155f; Winers De verb. comp. etc. Part iv., p. 14; (Ellicott on Galatians, the passage cited). (Scarcely found out of the N. T.; Heliodorus Aeth. 2, 35; 7, 23.) Topical Lexicon Meaning and Theological Nuance ἀπεκδέχομαι expresses more than passive waiting; it is an intense, active, forward-leaning expectation anchored in faith. The term blends patience with certainty, signaling that what is awaited is guaranteed by the promise and power of God. New Testament Distribution and Context 1. Romans 8:19, 23, 25 – Creation and believers “eagerly wait” for the unveiling of God’s sons and the redemption of the body. Eschatological Hope Every human use of ἀπεκδέχομαι points to the consummation of salvation. Whether it is the liberation of creation (Romans 8), the final righteousness (Galatians 5:5), or the glorious appearing of Christ (Philippians 3:20; Hebrews 9:28), the word anchors Christian hope in the future certainty of God’s victorious plan. It frames eschatology not as speculative curiosity but as assured fulfillment: Waiting and the Holy Spirit Galatians 5:5 links eager waiting with life “through the Spirit,” showing that anticipation is Spirit-empowered, not self-generated. Romans 8 connects this anticipation to the Spirit’s intercession, indicating that the Spirit sustains hope amid groaning. Christological Focus Philippians 3:20 and Hebrews 9:28 center waiting upon the Person of Christ. Believers are not merely expecting events but the Savior Himself. This personal dimension fuels worship, holiness, and perseverance. Pastoral and Discipleship Implications • Endurance in suffering: Romans 8 ties eager waiting to present groaning, teaching believers to interpret hardship through the lens of future glory. Divine Patience as Model In 1 Peter 3:20 God Himself “waited patiently” during the construction of the ark, revealing that the Lord’s own posture toward judgment is framed by merciful delay. This divine waiting legitimizes and guides the believer’s patient expectation. Historical Reception Early church writings (e.g., Didache 10, Ignatius’ letters) echo this eager expectation, shaping liturgical acclamations such as “Maranatha.” Patristic commentators viewed ἀπεκδέχομαι as evidence that apostolic Christianity was fundamentally future-oriented while remaining missionally engaged. Practical Ministry Applications • Preaching: Highlight the certainty of Christ’s return to fortify congregations against apathy and despair. Summary ἀπεκδέχομαι weaves through the New Testament as the vocabulary of holy longing. Grounded in the finished work of Christ and sustained by the Holy Spirit, it calls the church to live in confident anticipation of full redemption, cultivating steadfast endurance, active service, and fervent hope until the day faith gives way to sight. Forms and Transliterations απεκδεχεται απεκδέχεται ἀπεκδέχεται απεκδεχομεθα απεκδεχόμεθα ἀπεκδεχόμεθα απεκδεχομενοι απεκδεχόμενοι ἀπεκδεχόμενοι απεκδεχομενοις ἀπεκδεχομένοις απεκδεχομενους απεκδεχομένους ἀπεκδεχομένους απεξεδεχετο ἀπεξεδέχετο apekdechetai apekdéchetai apekdechomenoi apekdechómenoi apekdechomenois apekdechoménois apekdechomenous apekdechoménous apekdechometha apekdechómetha apexedecheto apexedéchetoLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Romans 8:19 V-PIM/P-3SGRK: τοῦ θεοῦ ἀπεκδέχεται NAS: of the creation waits eagerly for the revealing KJV: of the creature waiteth for the manifestation INT: of God awaits Romans 8:23 V-PPM/P-NMP Romans 8:25 V-PIM/P-1P 1 Corinthians 1:7 V-PPM/P-AMP Galatians 5:5 V-PIM/P-1P Philippians 3:20 V-PIM/P-1P Hebrews 9:28 V-PPM/P-DMP 1 Peter 3:20 V-IIM/P-3S Strong's Greek 553 |
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