Lexical Summary apolambanó: To receive back, to recover, to take aside Original Word: ἀπολαμβάνω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance receive, take. From apo and lambano; to receive (specially, in full, or as a host); also to take aside -- receive, take. see GREEK apo see GREEK lambano NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom apo and lambanó Definition to receive from, receive as one's due NASB Translation receive (3), receive back (1), received (1), received...back (1), receiving (2), took...aside (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 618: ἀπολαμβάνωἀπολαμβάνω; future ἀπολήψομαι (Colossians 3:24; L T Tr WH ἀπολήμψεσθε; see λαμβάνω); 2 aorist ἀπέλαβον; 2 aorist middle ἀπελαβομην; from Herodotus down; 1. to receive (from another, ἀπό (cf. Meyer on Galatians 4:5; Ellicott ibid. and Winers De verb. comp. etc. as below)) what is due or promised (cf. ἀποδίδωμι, 2): τήν υἱοθεσίαν, the adoption promised to believers, Galatians 4:5; τά ἀγαθά σου thy good things, which thou couldst expect and as it were demand, which seemed due to thee (Winer's De verb. comp. etc. Part iv., p. 13), Luke 16:25. Hence, 2. to take again or back, to recover: Luke 6:34 (T Tr text WH λαβεῖν); Luke 15:27; and to receive by way of retribution: Luke 18:30 (L text Tr marginal reading WH text λάβῃ); 3. to take from others, take apart or aside; middle τινα, to take a person with one aside out of the view of others: with the addition of ἀπό τοῦ ὄχλου κατ' ἰδίαν in Mark 7:33 (Josephus, b. j. 2, 7, 2; and in the Act., 2 Macc. 6:21; ὑστασπεα ἀπολαβών μουνον, Herodotus 1, 209; Aristophanes ran. 78; ἰδίᾳ ἕνα τῶν τριῶν ἀπολαβών, Appendix, b. 104:5, 40). 4. to receive anyone hospitably: 3 John 1:8, where L T Tr WH have restored ὑπολαμβάνειν. Strong’s Greek 618 portrays an act of reception that is complete, appropriate, and often reciprocal. Whether blessings, penalties, family members, or inheritances, the term points to something returned or granted in its entirety—nothing remains outstanding. In the biblical record it functions both positively (reward, restoration, adoption) and negatively (just penalty, repayment of sin). Occurrences and narrative settings • Luke 15:27 presents the father who “has him back safe and sound,” underscoring joyful restoration to fellowship. Redemptive dimension: adoption and restoration Paul’s use in Galatians 4:5 elevates the verb from ordinary transaction to covenant grace: slaves to sin are brought back as sons. The completeness of the reception mirrors the Father’s wholehearted welcome in Luke 15, making adoption not partial but total—status, rights, and intimacy fully bestowed. Moral recompense and divine justice Luke 23:41 and Romans 1:27 frame the verb within judgment. Humanity invariably “receives in themselves” the fruit of its deeds, proving the moral fabric of the universe. Justice may arrive through temporal consequences or final judgment, but it arrives in full. Discipleship and reward Jesus repeatedly attaches the verb to kingdom reward (Luke 18:30; Colossians 3:24). Sacrifice for Christ is never loss; it is deferred gain. Conversely, Luke 16:25 warns that earthly self-indulgence can exhaust one’s “good things” before eternity begins. The disciple lives for the ultimate reception. Practical ministry applications 1. Pastoral assurance—Believers who relinquish possessions or status can be reminded that God will “receive” them into greater riches. Historical and linguistic notes In secular Greek, the verb could denote receiving an inheritance, exacting payment, or welcoming a friend. New Testament writers retain these shades while infusing them with covenant significance. Their Spirit-inspired usage harmonizes historical meaning with the overarching biblical theme that God, the righteous Judge and gracious Father, faithfully ensures everyone—saint or sinner—ultimately “receives back” precisely what accords with His justice and mercy. Englishman's Concordance Mark 7:33 V-APM-NMSGRK: καὶ ἀπολαβόμενος αὐτὸν ἀπὸ NAS: Jesus took him aside from the crowd, KJV: And he took him aside INT: And having taken away him from Luke 6:34 V-ASA-3P Luke 15:27 V-AIA-3S Luke 16:25 V-AIA-2S Luke 18:30 V-ASA-3S Luke 23:41 V-PIA-1P Romans 1:27 V-PPA-NMP Galatians 4:5 V-ASA-1P Colossians 3:24 V-FIM-2P 2 John 1:8 V-ASA-2P Strong's Greek 618 |
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