from ἐκ and κλείω; to shut out (literally or figuratively):--exclude.
Transliteration:ekkleíō
Pronunciation:ek-kli'-o
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek verb `{{G1576}}` (ekkleíō) is a compound word derived from the preposition ek (meaning "out of," "from," or "away from") and the verb kleíō (`{{G2808}}`, meaning "to shut," "to close"). The combined sense, therefore, is "to shut out," "to close off from," or "to exclude." This exclusion can be understood in both a literal and a figurative sense. Literally, it would denote the act of barring someone or something from entry or access. Figuratively, as it appears in the New Testament, it signifies the removal of a possibility, the preclusion of a claim, or the nullification of a basis for boasting. The active voice implies a deliberate and decisive act of shutting out.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term `{{G1576}}` (ekkleíō) appears only once in the New Testament, specifically in Paul's Epistle to the Romans:
* **[[Romans 3:27]]**: "Where then is boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? Of works? No, but by a law of faith."
In this pivotal verse, Paul is developing his profound exposition on justification by faith. Having established that all humanity, both Jews and Gentiles, are under the power of sin and cannot be justified by works of the law (Romans 1:18-3:20), he introduces God's righteousness revealed through faith in Jesus Christ (Romans 3:21-26). Within this theological framework, the question of human boasting naturally arises. Paul's emphatic declaration, "It is excluded" (ἐξεκλείσθη, aorist passive indicative of `{{G1576}}`), is a powerful statement.
The passive voice indicates that boasting is *being shut out* or *has been shut out* by an external agent, namely God's plan of salvation. The subsequent rhetorical question and answer clarify the mechanism of this exclusion: it is not by a "law of works" (which would indeed provide grounds for boasting in one's own achievements) but "by a law of faith." This signifies that the very nature of justification by faith, which relies entirely on God's grace and Christ's work, fundamentally removes any basis for human self-congratulation or claim to merit. The door to human pride in salvation is decisively shut and bolted.
### Related Words & Concepts
The root verb kleíō (`{{G2808}}`) frequently appears in the New Testament, often in the literal sense of shutting doors or gates (e.g., [[Matthew 25:10]], [[Luke 11:7]], [[Acts 5:23]]). However, it also carries figurative weight, such as "shutting up" the kingdom of heaven against people ([[Matthew 23:13]]) or shutting the heavens so it does not rain ([[Revelation 11:6]]). The compound nature of `{{G1576}}` adds the dimension of *outward* exclusion.
Conceptually, `{{G1576}}` stands in contrast to ideas of "inclusion" or "access." While human works lead to exclusion from boasting, faith leads to inclusion in God's righteousness. Other related theological concepts include:
* **Justification (δικαίωσις, `{{G1342}}`):** The divine act of declaring a person righteous, which `{{G1576}}` describes as being wholly apart from human merit.
* **Grace (χάρις, `{{G5485}}`):** The unmerited favor of God, which is the sole basis for justification, thereby excluding boasting.
* **Boasting (καύχησις, `{{G2746}}`):** The very thing that `{{G1576}}` declares to be shut out, highlighting its antithetical nature to faith.
* **Law (νόμος, `{{G3551}}`):** Distinguished between "law of works" and "law of faith," illustrating how the latter excludes the former's potential for pride.
### Theological Significance
Despite its singular occurrence, the theological significance of `{{G1576}}` in [[Romans 3:27]] is immense. It serves as a lynchpin in Paul's argument for *sola fide* (faith alone) justification. The exclusion of boasting is not a peripheral point but a necessary consequence of salvation being entirely a gift of God's grace.
1. **Undermining Human Pride:** The word `{{G1576}}` decisively shuts the door on any human claim to merit or self-righteousness in the process of salvation. If salvation were even partially dependent on human effort or adherence to law, it would provide a basis for boasting. By excluding boasting, God ensures that all glory redounds to Him alone. This aligns with Paul's consistent emphasis on God's sovereignty in salvation (e.g., [[1 Corinthians 1:29-31]]).
2. **Affirming Divine Grace:** The exclusion of boasting implicitly affirms that salvation is entirely a work of God's grace, received through faith. If humanity is shut out from boasting, it is because God has done everything necessary for salvation, leaving no room for human contribution that could be a source of pride.
3. **Universal Scope of Salvation:** By establishing a "law of faith" that excludes boasting, Paul lays the groundwork for a salvation accessible to all, regardless of their background or ability to perfectly keep the Law. This universal accessibility underscores that salvation is not based on exclusive ethnic or legal privileges but on a common reliance on God's provision.
4. **The Nature of Faith:** The passage implies that true faith is inherently humble, recognizing its own inability and relying completely on Christ. It is a faith that, by its very nature, precludes any form of self-exaltation.
### Summary
The Greek verb `{{G1576}}` (ekkleíō), meaning "to shut out" or "to exclude," appears uniquely in the New Testament in [[Romans 3:27]]. In this critical verse, it declares that all human boasting is definitively "excluded" from the process of justification. This exclusion is achieved not by a "law of works," which would provide grounds for human pride, but by a "law of faith." The theological weight of this single usage is profound, serving as a cornerstone for the doctrine of justification by faith alone. It underscores that salvation is entirely a work of God's grace, received through humble faith, thereby dismantling human pride and ensuring that all glory belongs to God. The word `{{G1576}}` thus powerfully communicates the absolute and unmerited nature of divine salvation.
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