ἀποτόμως (apotomōs)
apotomōs
severely
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The adverb apotomōs describes an action that is abrupt, sharp, or severe. Its literal sense derives from cutting off, suggesting a decisive break or a curt manner of speaking. In the New Testament, it characterizes communication or behavior that is direct and unyielding, lacking softness or hesitation.
This word appears in only two verses, both highlighting stern instruction. Paul uses it to describe his readiness to punish disobedience with severity (2 Corinthians 13:10), and he urges Titus to rebuke false teachers sharply so they may be sound in the faith (Titus 1:13). The term emphasizes the firmness of the correction rather than emotional anger.
Translators often render it as "severely" or "sharply," capturing the idea of a clean, decisive cut. It conveys a sense of authority and finality, marking a clear boundary that should not be crossed. The word underscores the seriousness of the message being delivered.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word apotomōs carries the sense of a sharp, decisive cut. In Scripture, it describes communication that is direct and unyielding, not out of anger but to establish clear boundaries. When Paul speaks of dealing sharply, he is exercising authority given by the Lord for the purpose of building up the church, not tearing it down. This reminds us that firmness in truth can be an act of love when it protects the community from error.
We see this same principle in Titus, where believers are urged to rebuke false teachers sharply so they may remain sound in the faith. The goal is not humiliation but restoration and clarity. Such directness helps us understand that Christian instruction sometimes requires a clear line drawn against what distorts the gospel. It calls for courage to speak truth without softening it into ambiguity.
For your faith, this word invites you to value honesty over comfort. It shows that God’s people are called to uphold truth with clarity, trusting that His authority guides our words toward growth rather than destruction. May we learn to speak with both grace and firmness, knowing that clear boundaries protect the health of the whole body.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- with severity1×
- severely,1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἀποτόμως,1×
- ἀποτόμως1×
Key Verses
-
II Corinthians 13:10
For this cause I write these things while absent, that I may not deal sharply when present, according to the authority which the Lord gave me for building up and not for tearing down.
This verse shows Paul using the word to describe his authoritative stance, emphasizing that such severity is intended for building up the church rather than tearing it down.
-
Titus 1:13
This testimony is true. For this cause, reprove them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith,
Here the word directs Titus to rebuke sharply so that false teachers might become sound in the faith, highlighting the corrective purpose of firm speech.