Lexical Summary apokatastasis: Restoration Original Word: ἀποκατάστασις Strong's Exhaustive Concordance restitution. From apokathistemi; reconstitution -- restitution. see GREEK apokathistemi HELPS Word-studies Cognate: 605 apokatástasis (from 600 /apokathístēmi, "restore") – restitution, referring to the "restoration of the physical earth in the Messianic kingdom (Millennium)" (G. Archer). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom apokathistémi Definition restoration NASB Translation restoration (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 605: ἀποκατάστασιςἀποκατάστασις, ἀποκαταστάσεως, ἡ (ἀποκαθίστημι, which see), restoration: τῶν πάντων, the restoration not only of the true theocracy but also of that more perfect state of (even physical) things which existed before the fall, Acts 3:21; cf. Meyer at the passage (Often in Polybius, Diodorus, Plutarch, others.) Topical Lexicon Biblical ContextActs 3:21 records Peter’s declaration that Heaven must receive Jesus Christ “until the time of the restoration of all things, which God spoke through His holy prophets from ages past”. The phrase “restoration of all things” translates the noun ἀποκατάστασις, conveying a future, divinely planned return of creation to its intended order under the rule of the risen Messiah. Its singular New Testament occurrence gives it a concentrated importance: the early church presented the resurrection of Christ not merely as personal salvation but as the pivot of cosmic renewal. Old Testament Foundations Peter roots the promise in “all the prophets,” echoing themes that stretch back to: • Isaiah 11:1-9 – universal peace under the Branch of Jesse. These prophetic streams converge in the apostolic proclamation that the same God who formed and covenanted with Israel will ultimately set right everything fractured by sin. Christological Fulfillment The crucified and risen Jesus is the guarantor of the coming restoration. His glorified body (Luke 24:39), His ascension (Acts 1:9-11), and His present session at the Father’s right hand (Hebrews 10:12-13) preview the destiny of creation itself. Colossians 1:20 affirms that God intends “to reconcile to Himself all things … making peace through the blood of His cross.” In Acts 3, Peter calls listeners to repentance precisely so they may participate in that consummate renewal (Acts 3:19-20). Eschatological Scope “Restoration of all things” carries forward two interwoven horizons: 1. National—Israel’s promised restoration to covenant blessing (Romans 11:25-27). The word signals neither annihilation nor mere spiritualized hope, but a tangible reordering of the physical universe under Christ’s lordship, culminating in the “new heavens and a new earth” (2 Peter 3:13; Revelation 21:1). Related New Testament Terms • Palingenesia (Matthew 19:28; Titus 3:5) – regeneration, new birth at both individual and cosmic levels. Each highlights a facet of the comprehensive, God-initiated renewal captured by ἀποκατάστασις. Historical Usage and Controversies In first-century Hellenistic literature the noun commonly described political reinstatement or physical health restored. Jewish writings such as Josephus applied it to national restoration after exile. In later centuries, Origen employed the term to support universal salvation, a view rejected by creedal orthodoxy because Scripture teaches a final judgment distinguishing the righteous and the wicked (Matthew 25:46; Revelation 20:11-15). Properly framed, ἀποκατάστασις refers to the total renewal of creation under Christ, not the erasure of divine justice. Ministry Applications 1. Preaching—Acts 3 models Christ-centered evangelism that anchors repentance in God’s larger redemptive plan. Doctrinal Safeguards • The restoration is future, certain, and contingent upon Christ’s bodily return. Summary Strong’s Greek 605 signals nothing less than the Creator’s pledge to set the universe right through the exalted Son. From prophetic announcement to apostolic proclamation, ἀποκατάστασις undergirds Christian hope, energizes mission, and fixes the believer’s eyes on the day when “the kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ” (Revelation 11:15). Forms and Transliterations αποκαταστασεως αποκαταστάσεως ἀποκαταστάσεως apokatastaseos apokatastaseōs apokatastáseos apokatastáseōsLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |
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