ἀνασκευάζω (anaskeuazō)
anaskeuazō
to upset
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb anaskeuazō carries the vivid image of dismantling a dwelling to move elsewhere. Derived from a root meaning "vessel" or "utensil," it originally described packing up one’s belongings and baggage to leave a place. This concrete action of taking apart what has been set in order provides the foundation for its broader metaphorical sense.
In Scripture, this physical dismantling evolves into the idea of subverting or overthrowing established structures. The most notable occurrence appears in Acts 15:24, where leaders describe false teachings that had "unsettled" and "subverted" the believers. Here, the word suggests a violent disruption of spiritual stability, as if the foundation of their faith were being taken apart piece by piece.
Translators often render this term as "overthrow," "subvert," or "trouble." The choice reflects the severity of the action: it is not merely a disagreement but a destructive force that upends the community’s peace and order. The word emphasizes the chaos that results when truth is dismantled, leaving the believers in a state of confusion and instability.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word anaskeuazō paints a picture of someone packing up their belongings and dismantling a home, leaving behind what was once stable. In Acts 15:24, this vivid image describes how false teachings can unsettle the soul, much like shaking the foundation of a house until it feels unsafe to stay. It captures the deep confusion and instability that arises when truth is twisted or overturned.
When you encounter conflicting messages in your walk with God, remember that stability comes from standing on what has been clearly commanded. This word reminds us to guard our hearts against teachings that disrupt peace without authority. By anchoring yourself in Scripture, you find a firm ground that cannot be easily shaken by every new opinion.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- upsetting1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἀνασκευάζοντες1×
Key Verses
-
Acts 15:24
Because we have heard that some who went out from us have troubled you with words, unsettling your souls, saying, ‘You must be circumcised and keep the law,’ to whom we gave no commandment;
This verse uses the word to describe how unauthorized teachings caused spiritual unrest among believers, likening the disruption to dismantling their settled faith.