ἀποβολή (apobolē)
apobolē
deprivation
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun apobolē describes a state of being cast off or discarded. It carries the sense of something thrown away as useless, resulting in total loss. In Acts 27:22, Paul uses it to describe the shipwreck survivors’ situation, assuring them that while they will lose their lives at sea, they will not suffer this complete deprivation; their lives are spared even if their cargo is lost.
In Romans 11:15, Paul contrasts apobolē with the concept of acceptance. He argues that Israel’s temporary rejection by God is not a final end. Instead, it serves as a gateway to reconciliation for the world. The word highlights the severity of being cast out, making the subsequent restoration all the more significant in his theological argument.
The term derives from a verb meaning to throw away. It appears only twice in the New Testament, both times emphasizing a dramatic shift from exclusion to inclusion or survival. Translators often render it as "loss" or "rejection," capturing the tangible weight of being discarded by others.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word apobolē describes a total loss or being cast aside as useless. It is a heavy term, evoking the feeling of having everything stripped away with nothing left to hold onto. In Acts 27:22, Paul uses it to describe the worst-case scenario for shipwreck survivors. He assures them that while they might lose their cargo and ship, they will not suffer this complete deprivation. Their lives are preserved despite the surrounding chaos.
This word reminds us that our worth is not tied to what we can keep or control. Even when circumstances seem to discard us, God’s purpose remains secure. In Romans 11:15, Paul contrasts this rejection with acceptance, showing that even when people feel cast off, God uses those moments for greater reconciliation. The severity of being excluded makes the return to grace all the more profound.
When you face loss or feel pushed aside, remember that your life is held securely in God’s hands. No external circumstance can deprive you of His love or ultimate plan. This assurance offers peace when everything else feels uncertain and fragile.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- rejection1×
- loss1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἀποβολὴ2×
Key Verses
-
Acts 27:22
Now I exhort you to cheer up, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship.
Paul uses this word to distinguish between losing material possessions and the preservation of life, showing that total deprivation does not apply to those God protects.
-
Romans 11:15
For if the rejection of them is the reconciling of the world, what would their acceptance be, but life from the dead?
The term highlights the depth of Israel's temporary rejection, which serves as a theological contrast to the greater blessing of acceptance and restoration.