Lexical Summary apopheugó: To escape, to flee from, to avoid Original Word: ἀποφεύγω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance escape. From apo and pheugo; (figuratively) to escape -- escape. see GREEK apo see GREEK pheugo HELPS Word-studies 668 apopheúgō (from 575 /apó, "away from" and 5343 /pheúgō, "flee") – properly, flee from (escape). 668 (apopheúgō) underlines the previous (undesirable) connection – hence, also the need to move on ("escaping by flight," K. Wuest). 668 (apopheúgō) then emphasizes separation – a full breaking away from the previous situation. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom apo and pheugó Definition to flee from NASB Translation escape (1), escaped (2). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 668: ἀποφεύγωἀποφεύγω (participle in 2 Peter 2:18 L T Tr WH; Winer's Grammar, 342 (321)); 2 aorist ἀπεφυγον; (from (Homer) batrach. 42, 47 down); to flee from, escape; with the accusative, 2 Peter 2:18 (where L T wrongly put a comma after ἀποφεύγοντας (Winers Grammar, 529 (492))), 20; with the genitive, by virtue of the preposition (Buttmann, 158 (138); Winer's Grammar, § 52, 4, 1 c.), 2 Peter 1:4. Topical Lexicon Overview The verb rendered “escape” (Strong’s Greek 668) frames a vivid biblical motif: a decisive flight from the moral pollution of a fallen world into the freedom secured by Jesus Christ. While appearing only three times, the word gathers together the themes of conversion, sanctification, perseverance, and the danger of apostasy. Occurrences in 2 Peter • 2 Peter 1:4 – initial deliverance: “Through these He has given us His precious and magnificent promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, now that you have escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.” Literary Setting in 2 Peter Peter’s second letter alternates between assurance and warning. Chapter 1 celebrates the believer’s share in divine life, emphasizing growth in virtue. Chapters 2–3 expose counterfeit teachers whose libertine lifestyles contradict the gospel and threaten the faithful. The verb “escape” therefore serves as a hinge: it proclaims real deliverance (1:4) yet spotlights the perils of being lured back (2:18-20). Theological Significance 1. Regeneration and Union with Christ Historical and Inter-Biblical Parallels • Exodus typology: Israel “fled” Egypt by God’s power, yet many hearts yearned to return (Numbers 14:3-4), mirroring Peter’s concern. Patristic Witness Early fathers read 2 Peter’s “escape” as proof of the necessity of persevering virtue: Practical Ministry Implications 1. Evangelism: Present salvation as liberation from corruption, not merely forgiveness. Related Concepts Deliverance, Sanctification, Perseverance, Apostasy, False Teaching, Divine Nature, Corruption, Lust, Day of the Lord. Summary Strong’s Greek 668 depicts the believer’s passage from the world’s corruption into the life of God through Christ. Its use in 2 Peter highlights both the reality of decisive salvation and the sobering responsibility to persist in holiness amid deceptive influences. True escape issues in growing conformity to Christ now and culminates in eternal righteousness when He returns. Forms and Transliterations αποφευγοντας ἀποφεύγοντας αποφυγόντας αποφυγοντες αποφυγόντες ἀποφυγόντες apopheugontas apopheúgontas apophugontes apophygontes apophygóntesLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 2 Peter 1:4 V-APA-NMPGRK: κοινωνοὶ φύσεως ἀποφυγόντες τῆς ἐν NAS: nature, having escaped the corruption KJV: nature, having escaped the corruption INT: partakers nature having escaped the in 2 Peter 2:18 V-PPA-AMP 2 Peter 2:20 V-APA-NMP Strong's Greek 668 |
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