592. apodiorizó

Lexical Summary

apodiorizó: To separate, to divide, to set apart

Original Word: ἀποδιορίζω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: apodiorizó
Pronunciation: ah-po-dee-or-ID-zo
Phonetic Spelling: (ap-od-ee-or-id'-zo)
KJV: separate
NASB: cause divisions
Word Origin: [from G575 (ἀπό - since) and a compound of G223 (Ἀλέξανδρος - Alexander) and G3724 (ὁρίζω - determined)]

1. to disjoin (by a boundary)
2. (figuratively) a party

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

to cause divisions

From apo and a compound of Alexandros and horizo; to disjoin (by a boundary, figuratively, a party) -- separate.

see GREEK apo

see GREEK Alexandros

see GREEK horizo

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from apo and diorizó (to divide by limits, separate)
Definition
to mark off
NASB Translation
cause divisions (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 592: ἀποδιορίζω

ἀποδιορίζω; (διορίζω, and this from ὅρος a limit); by drawing boundaries to disjoin, part, separate from another: Jude 1:19 (οἱ ἀποδιορίζοντες ἑαυτούς those who by their wickedness separate themselves from the living fellowship of Christians; if ἑαυτούς is dropped, with Rec.st G L T Tr WH, the rendering is making divisions or separations). (Aristotle, pol. 4, 4, 13 (p. 1290b, 25).)

Topical Lexicon

Overview

Strong’s Greek 592 depicts the deliberate act of drawing boundaries that fracture fellowship within the body of Christ. It portrays an intentional separating that is spiritual, relational, and doctrinal in nature and is never commended in Scripture.

Scriptural Usage

• Jude 19 is the sole New Testament occurrence: “These are the ones who cause divisions, who are worldly and devoid of the Spirit.”

Within Jude’s warning about infiltrators, the term pinpoints a key symptom of false teachers—they splinter God’s people, creating partisan lines that undermine shared faith in Jesus Christ.

Theological Emphasis in Jude

1. Divisive agents oppose the Holy Spirit. Jude links their separation-making with being “devoid of the Spirit,” stressing that genuine unity is Spirit-produced.
2. Division accompanies sensuality. Jude 18 connects their divisiveness to “following after their own ungodly desires.” Personal indulgence and factionalism rise together.
3. Division prepares for apostasy. Jude traces a progression: unbelief (verse 5), rebellion (verse 11), grumbling (verse 16), then open schism (verse 19). Causing splits is near the terminus of spiritual decay.

Character Traits of Division-Makers

• Self-promoting (3 John 9–10)
• Doctrinally distorted (2 Peter 2:1)
• Driven by envy or pride (James 3:14–16)
• Ignoring apostolic authority (1 Corinthians 4:6)

Contrast with Biblical Unity

• Jesus’ prayer: “that they may all be one” (John 17:21).
• Apostolic plea: “I appeal to you…that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and conviction.” (1 Corinthians 1:10)
• The Spirit’s work: “eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” (Ephesians 4:3)

Wider Canonical Witness against Factionalism

• Romans 16:17 – “watch out for those who cause divisions.”
• Titus 3:10 – “Reject a divisive man after a first and second admonition.”
• Proverbs 6:19 – The LORD hates “one who sows discord among brothers.”

Historical Illustrations

• First-century Judaizers (Acts 15) set circumcision as a boundary line, imperiling Gentile inclusion.
• Second-century Gnostics split congregations by secret knowledge claims (1 John 2:19 alludes).
• Reformation-era Anabaptist radicals who denied essential creeds show how even protest movements can fragment further when Scripture’s authority is minimized.

Pastoral and Ministry Significance

1. Discernment: Elders must identify divisive speech early (Acts 20:30–31).
2. Discipline: Matthew 18:15–17 provides a restorative path but ends with separation if repentance fails, reversing the destructive separation initiated by the offender.
3. Teaching: Sound doctrine knits hearts together (Colossians 2:2).
4. Prayer: Intercession for unity reflects Christ’s heart and safeguards witness (John 13:35).

Practical Applications

• Avoid personality cults; elevate Christ alone (1 Corinthians 3:4–7).
• Resolve conflicts swiftly to deny foothold to bitterness (Ephesians 4:26–27).
• Prioritize shared confession: “one Lord, one faith, one baptism” (Ephesians 4:5).
• Embrace humble listening; quarrels often subside when “quick to hear, slow to speak” (James 1:19).

Devotional Reflection

Where 592 operates, the gospel’s attractiveness dims. Where the Spirit reigns, unity flourishes. Believers are therefore summoned to guard their tongues, cherish truth, and labor “until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God” (Ephesians 4:13).

Forms and Transliterations

απεδίωξας αποδιοριζοντες αποδιορίζοντες ἀποδιορίζοντες αποδιώκουσι apodiorizontes apodiorízontes

Englishman's Concordance

Jude 1:19 V-PPA-NMP
GRK: εἰσιν οἱ ἀποδιορίζοντες ψυχικοί πνεῦμα
NAS: These are the ones who cause divisions, worldly-minded,
KJV: be they who separate themselves,
INT: are they who set apart [themselves] natural [men] [the] Spirit

Strong's Greek 592
1 Occurrence

ἀποδιορίζοντες — 1 Occ.