Lexical Summary aporeó: To be perplexed, to be at a loss, to be in doubt Original Word: ἀπορέω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance stand in doubt, be perplexed. From a compound of a (as a negative particle) and the base of poreuomai; to have no way out, i.e. Be at a loss (mentally) -- (stand in) doubt, be perplexed. see GREEK a see GREEK poreuomai NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom alpha (as a neg. prefix) and poros (a way, resource) Definition to be at a loss, be perplexed NASB Translation am perplexed (1), being at a loss (1), loss (1), perplexed (3). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 639: ἀπορέωἀπορέω, ἀπόρω: imperfect 3 person singular ἠπόρει (Mark 6:20 T WH Tr marginal reading); (present middle ἀποροῦμαι); to be ἄπορος (from alpha privative and πόρος a transit, ford, way, revenue, resource), i. e. "to be without resources, to be in straits, to be left wanting, to be embarrassed, to be in doubt, not to know which way to turn"; (imperfect in Mark 6:20 (see above) πολλά ἠπόρει he was in perplexity about many things or much perplexed (cf. Thucydides 5, 40, 3; Xenophon, Hell. 6, 1, 4; Herodotus 3, 4; 4, 179; Arlstot. meteorolog. 1, 1); elsewhere) middle, to be at a loss with oneself, be in doubt; not to know how to decide or what to do, to be perplexed: absolutely 2 Corinthians 4:8; περί τίνος, Luke 24:4 L T Tr WH; περί τίνος τίς λέγει, John 13:22; ἀποροῦμαι ἐν ὑμῖν I am perplexed about you, I know not how to deal with you, in what style to address you, Galatians 4:20; ἀπορούμενος ἐγώ εἰς (T Tr WH omit εἰς) τήν περί τούτου (τούτων L T Tr WH) ζήτησιν I being perplexed how to decide in reference to the inquiry concerning him (or these things), Acts 25:20. (Often in secular authors from Herodotus down; often also in the Sept.) (Compare: διαπορέω, ἐξαπορέω.) Topical Lexicon Semantic Range and Key Idea ἀπορέω and its cognates depict the interior state of being “at a loss,” experiencing perplexity, or facing an impasse that human wisdom cannot unravel. The term never signifies intellectual laziness; rather, it portrays earnest people honestly baffled before something greater than themselves. Occurrences in the Gospels Mark 6:20: Herod Antipas “was greatly perplexed” by John the Baptist. John’s fearless preaching pricked the conscience of a ruler who both feared God’s prophet and protected him. The verb underscores the moral tension that arises when truth confronts sin: even a worldly king cannot dismiss God’s messenger without inner turmoil. Luke 24:4: The women at the empty tomb “were perplexed about this.” Their confusion is not unbelief but the first stage in the progression from bewilderment to resurrection faith. The verb thus frames the dawn of Easter morning as a moment when human expectation reaches its limit and divine revelation must break in. John 13:22: At the Last Supper the disciples “looked at one another, perplexed as to which of them He meant.” Their perplexity shows how deeply hidden Judas’s betrayal was and how sincerely each follower examined his own heart. The word invites every disciple to similar self-searching in light of Christ’s warnings. In Acts Acts 25:20: Procurator Festus tells King Agrippa, “Since I was at a loss how to investigate such matters, I asked whether he was willing to go to Jerusalem.” Roman jurisprudence met a message it could not categorize. The verb serves Luke’s apologetic aim: Christianity stands blameless before civil authority, while Rome itself is confounded by the gospel. In the Pauline Epistles 2 Corinthians 4:8: “We are hard pressed on all sides, yet not crushed; perplexed, yet not in despair.” The first clause pictures external pressure; the second, internal perplexity coupled with unconquerable hope. The pairing teaches that perplexity is compatible with steadfast faith. Believers may lack explanations but never lack the God who sustains them. Galatians 4:20: “I wish I could be with you now and change my tone, because I am perplexed about you.” Paul’s pastoral heart hurts when converts regress toward legalism. His perplexity signals neither anger nor indifference but deep concern, urging them back to gospel liberty. Historical and Literary Observations 1. Jewish and Greco-Roman writers used ἀπορέω for crisis moments demanding decision. The New Testament writers retain this sense but tether it to God’s redemptive acts. Theological Significance Perplexity is neither sin nor defeat. Scripture portrays it as a crossroads where reliance on self must yield to reliance on God. The empty tomb, the unresolved case before Festus, and apostolic hardship all illustrate the same pattern: human limitation sets the stage for divine intervention. Pastoral and Devotional Applications • Encourage believers that seasons of perplexity are normal; they often precede fresh revelation (Luke 24:4). Summary Strong’s 639 words paint a portrait of human perplexity meeting divine purpose. Whether in palaces, tombs, courtrooms, or churches, the New Testament reveals that God enters the scene where people confess, “We are at a loss.” There He turns confusion into conviction, uncertainty into understanding, and despair into resilient hope. Forms and Transliterations απορεισθαι ἀπορεῖσθαι απορηθείς απορηθήσεται απορήσει απορουμαι απορούμαι ἀποροῦμαι απορουμένη απορουμένης απορουμενοι απορούμενοι ἀπορούμενοι απορουμενος απορούμενος ἀπορούμενος ηπορει ἠπόρει ηπορείτο aporeisthai aporeîsthai aporoumai aporoûmai aporoumenoi aporoúmenoi aporoumenos aporoúmenos eporei epórei ēporei ēpóreiLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Mark 6:20 V-IIA-3SGRK: αὐτοῦ πολλὰ ἠπόρει καὶ ἡδέως NAS: him, he was very perplexed; but he used to enjoy INT: him many things did and gladly Luke 24:4 V-PNM John 13:22 V-PPM-NMP Acts 25:20 V-PPM-NMS 2 Corinthians 4:8 V-PPM-NMP Galatians 4:20 V-PIM-1S Strong's Greek 639 |
    |