ἐκπτύω (ekptuō)
ekptuō
to spit out
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb ekptuō literally means to spit out. In the New Testament it appears only once, in Galatians 4:14, where Paul describes how the Galatian believers received him despite his physical condition. The context suggests a meaning of spitting at in disgust or loathing, indicating that they did not reject or despise him because of his illness.
This word combines the prefix ek, meaning out, with ptoō, to spit. While it can simply describe the physical act of ejecting saliva, here it carries a strong emotional weight of rejection or abhorrence. Paul uses this vivid image to highlight that the Galatians’ hospitality was genuine; they did not treat him with contempt or cast him aside as something vile.
Translators often render this action as "spit on" or "despise" to convey the depth of the potential insult that was avoided. The rarity of the word underscores the significance of Paul’s point: receiving a messenger who might normally be met with such visceral disdain required exceptional grace and love from the community.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word ekptuō paints a stark picture of human rejection. It describes spitting out or spitting at someone with disgust, a visceral act meant to cast aside what is deemed vile. In Galatians 4:14, Paul recalls how the believers in Galatia could have reacted this way to his physical illness. Instead, they welcomed him warmly, refusing to treat him as something to be spat out or despised.
This rare word highlights the depth of their grace. They did not let his condition become a barrier to fellowship. For you, it serves as a reminder that true Christian hospitality looks past outward appearances and physical weaknesses. It invites us to receive others with the same dignity and love that Christ shows us, regardless of our own struggles or limitations.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- reject [me] with contempt,1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἐξεπτύσατε,1×
Key Verses
-
Galatians 4:14
That which was a temptation to you in my flesh, you didn’t despise nor reject; but you received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus.
This occurrence matters because it contrasts the potential visceral rejection of Paul's illness with the Galatians' actual warm reception, highlighting their exceptional grace.