Lexical Summary apospaó: To draw away, to pull away, to separate Original Word: ἀποσπάω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance withdraw, retire. From apo and spao; to drag forth, i.e. (literally) unsheathe (a sword), or relatively (with a degree of force implied) retire (personally or factiously) -- (with-)draw (away), after we were gotten from. see GREEK apo see GREEK spao NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom apo and spaó Definition to draw off, draw away NASB Translation draw away (1), drew (1), parted (1), withdrew (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 645: ἀποσπάωἀποσπάω, ἀποσπῶ; 1 aorist ἀπέσπασα; 1 aorist passive ἀπεσπασθην; to draw off, tear away: τήν μάχαιραν, to draw one's sword, Matthew 26:51 (ἐκσπαν τήν μάχαιραν (or ῤομφαίαν), 1 Samuel 17:51 (Alex., etc.); σπαν, 1 Chronicles 11:11; Mark 14:47); ἀποσπᾶν τούς μαθητάς ὀπίσω ἑαυτῶν to draw away the disciples to their own party, Acts 20:30 (very similarly, Aelian v. h. 13, 32). Passive reflexively: ἀποσπασθεντες ἀπ' αὐτῶν having torn ourselves from the embrace of our friends, Acts 21:1; ἀπεσπάσθη ἀπ' αὐτῶν he parted, tore himself, from them about a stone's cast, Luke 22:41; cf. Meyer at the passage (In secular authors from (Pindar and) Herodotus down.) Topical Lexicon Semantic Range and Biblical Nuances Strong’s Greek 645 portrays decisive separation. In Scripture it can describe (1) a deliberate physical withdrawal, (2) a sudden removal of an object, or (3) the seductive diverting of people from sound doctrine. The contexts span crisis moments, private devotion, missionary travel, and ecclesial warning, illustrating the spectrum of rightful and wrongful “drawing away.” Physical Withdrawal in the Passion Accounts Matthew 26:51 records a disciple who “drew his sword” in the garden. The action is abrupt, underscoring the contrast between human zeal and the voluntary surrender of Christ. The sword is literally “pulled away” from its sheath, reminding readers that carnal force cannot advance the redemptive plan (see Matthew 26:52-54). Luke 22:41 shows the Lord Himself “withdrawing about a stone’s throw” before praying. The same root that marked reckless violence in Matthew now marks holy solitude. Jesus steps apart to submit to the Father, modeling how separation from distraction fosters submission to divine will. Spiritual Defection and False Teaching Acts 20:30 is Paul’s solemn forecast to the Ephesian elders: “men will arise and distort the truth to draw away the disciples after them.” Here the verb pictures predatory enticement, not legitimate departure. The danger lies inside the fellowship (“from among your own number”), pressing leaders to guard orthodoxy and the flock’s affections with vigilance (compare Acts 20:28-32). The verse also clarifies that defection begins with distorted doctrine. When truth is bent, hearts are pulled. The antidote remains “the word of His grace” which alone “is able to build you up” (Acts 20:32). Missionary Separation and the Bonds of Fellowship Acts 21:1 narrates the painful farewell at Miletus: “After we had torn ourselves away from them, we put out to sea…” Gospel duty sometimes requires painful partings. The wording conveys emotional wrenching—an affectionate bond so strong it must be “torn.” Yet obedience presses forward, teaching that love for Christ and His commission surpasses even the sweetest fellowship (compare Luke 14:26-27). Theological and Ministerial Insights • Legitimate withdrawal (Luke 22:41; Acts 21:1) serves higher purposes—communion with God and advancement of mission. Practical Applications for the Church Today 1. Guard Doctrine: Elders and teachers must watch for teaching that “distorts the truth” and lovingly confront it before disciples are lured away. Thus Strong’s 645 invites reflection on what pulls, what parts, and what protects God’s people, calling the Church to wise separations that honor Christ and steadfast unity that preserves sound faith. Forms and Transliterations απεσπασεν απέσπασεν ἀπέσπασεν απεσπασθη απεσπάσθη ἀπεσπάσθη απεσπασμένοι απεσπασμένον αποσπαν αποσπάν ἀποσπᾷν ἀποσπᾶν αποσπασθεντας αποσπασθέντας ἀποσπασθέντας αποσπασθώσιν αποσπάσομεν αποσπώ αποστάζει αποστάζουσι αποσταλάξει apespasen apéspasen apespasthe apespasthē apespásthe apespásthē apospā̂in apospan apospasthentas apospasthéntasLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Matthew 26:51 V-AIA-3SGRK: τὴν χεῖρα ἀπέσπασεν τὴν μάχαιραν NAS: reached and drew out his sword, KJV: [his] hand, and drew his INT: [his] hand drew the sword Luke 22:41 V-AIP-3S Acts 20:30 V-PNA Acts 21:1 V-APP-AMP Strong's Greek 645 |
    |