Lexical Summary apostasia: Apostasy, rebellion, defection, falling away Original Word: ἀποστασία Strong's Exhaustive Concordance falling away, apostacy Feminine of the same as apostasion; defection from truth (properly, the state) ("apostasy") -- falling away, forsake. see GREEK apostasion HELPS Word-studies 646 apostasía (from 868 /aphístēmi, "leave, depart," which is derived from 575 /apó, "away from" and 2476 /histémi, "stand") – properly, departure (implying desertion); apostasy – literally, "a leaving, from a previous standing." NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom aphistémi Definition defection, revolt NASB Translation apostasy (1), forsake (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 646: ἀποστασίαἀποστασία, ἀποστασιας, ἡ (ἀφισταμαι), a falling away, defection, apostasy; in the Bible namely, from the true religion: Acts 21:21; 2 Thessalonians 2:3; ((Joshua 22:22; 2 Chronicles 29:19; 2 Chronicles 33:19); Jeremiah 2:19; Jeremiah 36:(29) 32 Complutensian; 1 Macc. 2:15). The earlier Greeks say ἀπόστασις; see Lob. ad Phryn., p. 528; (Winer's Grammar, 24). Topical Lexicon Conceptual Range of ἀποστασίαBeyond its root sense of departure, the term carries the weight of a conscious, culpable turning away from divinely revealed truth. In Scripture it is never a neutral change of opinion; it is a moral revolt against the covenant Lord. Hence English renderings such as “apostasy,” “rebellion,” or “forsake” all capture aspects of its gravity. Occurrences in the New Testament 1. Acts 21:21 These two instances frame the spectrum of apostasy: one charged against the Apostle Paul in a historical setting, the other predicted as a climactic eschatological event. Acts 21:21 – A Charge of Covenant Desertion The Jerusalem elders report to Paul, “They have been told that you teach all the Jews who live among the Gentiles to forsake Moses…” (Acts 21:21). Here ἀποστασία expresses the accusation that Paul is inciting Jewish believers to abandon Mosaic identity markers—circumcision and traditional customs. The charge illustrates how fiercely first-century Judaism equated covenant fidelity with ritual observance. Although the accusation was false, Luke records it to demonstrate the volatile intersection of Gospel liberty and ethnic tradition. The subsequent Nazarite vow (Acts 21:23-26) shows Paul’s willingness to dispel rumors without compromising the Gospel, modeling pastoral sensitivity amid potential schism. 2 Thessalonians 2:3 – The Eschatological Rebellion Paul warns, “Let no one deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed…” (2 Thessalonians 2:3). Here ἀποστασία is a decisive, global revolt that precedes the Day of the Lord. Key features: • Scope: A recognizable, collective defection, not a private lapse. This verse anchors Christian eschatology: the Church must anticipate widespread spiritual betrayal before Christ’s return, guarding against triumphalism and fostering vigilance. Old Testament Background The Septuagint uses cognate terms in passages such as Joshua 22:22 and 2 Chronicles 29:19 to denote treachery against the covenant. Deuteronomy 13 mandates investigation and purging of apostasy; its judicial language informs New Testament warnings (Hebrews 3:12; Jude 3-4). Thus ἀποστασία inherits a legal-covenantal flavor—an offense against the Suzerain-Vassal relationship established at Sinai. Historical Usage in Judaism and the Early Church Intertestamental literature (e.g., 1 Maccabees 2:15) employs the concept to denounce those who yielded to Hellenistic assimilation. Early Christian writers such as Irenaeus linked the predicted apostasy with Antichrist expectations, encouraging steadfastness under persecution. Throughout church history, councils confronted heresies (Arianism, Pelagianism) as corporate apostasies, applying the Pauline paradigm to preserve doctrinal purity. Relation to Covenant Faithfulness Scripture contrasts apostasy with endurance. Jesus warns, “the one who perseveres to the end will be saved” (Matthew 24:13). The warning passages in Hebrews interpret persistent unbelief as apostasy that forfeits covenant blessings (Hebrews 6:4-6). Apostasy is therefore both a theological category and a pastoral concern, calling believers to examine themselves (2 Corinthians 13:5). Theological Debates Debate centers on whether ἀποστασία in 2 Thessalonians 2:3 could include physical departure (rapture). The contextual kinship with “lawlessness” weighs strongly toward a negative spiritual defection. Yet the discussion illustrates how eschatological frameworks shape interpretation and underscores the necessity of careful exegesis rooted in the immediate context. Pastoral and Ministry Implications 1. Catechesis: Robust doctrinal instruction guards congregations from drift (Ephesians 4:14). Conclusion Strong’s 646 spotlights the gravity of abandoning revealed truth. Whether in first-century rumors about Paul or the climactic rebellion before Christ’s return, ἀποστασία warns every generation to cling to the Gospel, cherish sound doctrine, and await the Lord with steadfast hearts. Forms and Transliterations αποστασια αποστασία ἀποστασία αποστασιαν αποστασίαν ἀποστασίαν apostasia apostasía apostasian apostasíanLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Acts 21:21 N-AFSGRK: σοῦ ὅτι ἀποστασίαν διδάσκεις ἀπὸ NAS: the Gentiles to forsake Moses, KJV: the Gentiles to forsake Moses, saying INT: you that apostasy you teach from 2 Thessalonians 2:3 N-NFS Strong's Greek 646 |
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