ἀποτρέπω (apotrepō)
apotrepō
to avoid
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb apotrepō means to turn oneself away from something, carrying the sense of shunning or avoiding it. In the New Testament, this word appears only once, in 2 Timothy 3:5. Here, Paul describes people who have a form of godliness but deny its power, instructing believers to keep their distance from such individuals.
The word combines the prefix apo, meaning "away," with trepō, meaning "to turn." This construction emphasizes a decisive physical and moral turning away rather than mere passive avoidance. It suggests an active rejection of those whose outward piety masks a lack of genuine spiritual reality.
Translators typically render this word as "avoid" or "turn away from." The specific context in 2 Timothy highlights the importance of discernment in Christian community, urging believers to recognize and separate themselves from behaviors that contradict the true power of faith.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word apotrepō calls us to active discernment in our daily walk. It describes more than simply ignoring someone; it means turning your body and heart away from what undermines true faith. In a culture that often values politeness over truth, this command challenges us to protect the integrity of our spiritual lives.
Paul’s instruction in 2 Timothy reminds us that outward appearances can be deceiving. When we encounter attitudes or behaviors that mock genuine godliness, we are not called to engage in endless debate but to step back. This distance is not an act of hatred, but a safeguard for your own soul and the health of the church.
May you have wisdom to recognize what draws you away from Christ’s power. Trust that God honors your commitment to truth, even when it requires difficult boundaries. His grace sustains you as you navigate these complex relationships with clarity and peace.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- do yourself turn away from.1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἀποτρέπου.1×
Key Verses
-
II Timothy 3:5
holding a form of godliness but having denied its power. Turn away from these, also.
This verse provides the only New Testament usage, commanding believers to actively turn away from those who maintain an external show of religion while rejecting its transformative power.