ἀπορρίπτω (aporriptō)
aporriptō
to throw off
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb aporrhiptō means to throw something away or cast it down with force. In the New Testament, it appears only once, in Acts 27:43, where it describes a dramatic moment of survival during a shipwreck. The centurion orders the soldiers to cut off the ropes binding the prisoners so they can swim to safety, but the sailors attempt to lower the boat’s anchor away from the ship. The text uses this word to describe how the sailors cast the anchors overboard, effectively throwing them into the sea to lighten the vessel or perhaps to escape responsibility for the prisoners.
This single usage highlights a physical act of discarding weight or burden. The root combines apo ("away") and rhiptō ("to throw"), emphasizing complete separation from what is being discarded. Unlike words that might imply gentle removal, aporrhiptō suggests a decisive, forceful casting off. In this naval context, it reflects the urgency and chaos of the storm, where every action is aimed at preserving life by shedding what holds them back.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Greek word aporrhiptō describes a forceful act of throwing something away, like casting off heavy anchors during a storm. In Acts 27:43, sailors used this decisive action to lighten their ship, prioritizing survival over material loss. This vivid image reminds us that God sometimes calls us to release what weighs us down so we can move toward safety.
Your faith journey may involve letting go of burdens that no longer serve your spiritual well-being. Whether it is past guilt, unhealthy relationships, or excessive worry, casting these off requires trust in God’s provision. Just as the sailors trusted the sea would carry them to land, you can trust that God will sustain you when you release what holds you back.
This word encourages a practical faith where action meets trust. It is not about discarding everything carelessly, but about making deliberate choices to preserve life and hope. When you feel overwhelmed, consider what needs to be thrown overboard so you can swim toward the shore God has prepared for you.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- having cast [themselves] off1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἀπορίψαντας1×
Key Verses
-
Acts 27:43
But the centurion, desiring to save Paul, stopped them from their purpose, and commanded that those who could swim should throw themselves overboard first to go toward the land;
This verse captures the urgent physical act of discarding anchors to ensure survival, illustrating how believers might need to decisively let go of heavy burdens to reach spiritual safety.