from ἐκ and ταράσσω; to disturb wholly:--exceedingly trouble.
Transliteration:ektarássō
Pronunciation:ek-tar-as'-so
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek word G1613 (ektarássō) is a compound verb formed from the preposition ἐκ (ek, `{{G1537}}`) and the verb ταράσσω (tarássō, `{{G5015}}`). The root verb ταράσσω signifies to stir up, agitate, trouble, or disturb, often referring to a physical stirring (like water) or an emotional/mental disquiet. The prefix ἐκ intensifies this meaning, suggesting a thorough, complete, or profound disturbance. It implies a state of being completely thrown out of order, or an agitation that affects something from its very core. Thus, ektarássō conveys the sense of "to disturb wholly," "to exceedingly trouble," or "to throw into utter confusion." It denotes a disturbance that is not superficial but deeply impactful, leading to significant unrest or disarray.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The word G1613 (ektarássō) appears only once in the New Testament, found in the book of Acts.
* **[[Acts 16:20]]**: "And when they had brought them to the magistrates, they said, 'These men, being Jews, exceedingly trouble our city...'" (ESV).
* **Context**: This verse describes the accusation leveled against Paul and Silas in Philippi. They had cast out a spirit of divination from a slave girl, which resulted in her owners losing their lucrative source of income. Enraged, these owners seized Paul and Silas, dragged them to the marketplace before the authorities, and charged them with causing a profound disturbance.
* **Analysis**: The accusers employ ektarássō to emphasize the severity of the perceived disruption caused by Paul and Silas's ministry. It was not merely a minor skirmish but, in their view, a fundamental unsettling of the city's social and economic fabric. The word highlights the profound impact the Gospel had on the established pagan order, challenging deeply entrenched practices and beliefs. The accusation, though rooted in mercenary motives, implicitly acknowledges the transformative and often disruptive power of the early Christian message when it confronted idolatry and injustice. The use of "exceedingly trouble" conveys a sense of widespread agitation and a threat to the status quo, justifying the authorities' harsh response.
### Related Words & Concepts
* **ταράσσω (tarássō, `{{G5015}}`):** The base word, meaning "to trouble," "to stir up." This word is frequently used in the New Testament to describe emotional distress (e.g., Jesus' spirit troubled, [[John 11:33]], [[John 12:27]]), physical agitation (e.g., the troubling of the water at Bethsaida, [[John 5:4]]), or general societal unrest. ektarássō represents an intensified form of this agitation.
* **θόρυβος (thórbos, `{{G2351}}`):** Meaning "uproar," "commotion," or "tumult." This word often describes the public disturbance that might result from actions like those attributed to Paul and Silas.
* **στάσις (stásis, `{{G4714}}`):** Signifying "a standing," but often used in the sense of "insurrection," "rebellion," or "civil strife," indicating a more organized or confrontational form of disturbance.
* **ἀναστατόω (anastatóō, `{{G387}}`):** Meaning "to stir up," "to disturb," or "to turn upside down." This word is also used in Acts to describe the impact of the apostles' preaching (e.g., "These men who have turned the world upside down have come here also," [[Acts 17:6]]). While distinct, it shares the semantic field of causing significant societal disruption.
### Theological Significance
Though G1613 (ektarássō) appears only once and is spoken by adversaries, its singular use in [[Acts 16:20]] carries significant theological weight. It implicitly underscores a profound truth about the nature of the Gospel. The proclamation of God's kingdom often "exceedingly troubles" the established order of the world, particularly when that order is built upon idolatry, injustice, or exploitation. The Gospel is inherently disruptive to systems that oppose God's rule, challenging deeply ingrained social structures, economic practices, and spiritual allegiances.
This "troubling" is not for the sake of chaos, but it is a necessary confrontation of darkness by light. It exposes sin, calls for repentance, and demands a radical reorientation of life towards Christ. The "trouble" caused by Paul and Silas was a manifestation of the kingdom of God advancing, disrupting the reign of demonic powers and human greed. Thus, while intended as an accusation, the word ektarássō inadvertently highlights the transformative, challenging, and often confrontational nature of divine truth when it intersects with a fallen world. It reminds believers that faithfulness to Christ may indeed lead to perceived "trouble" in the eyes of those whose interests are threatened by the advance of God's redemptive purposes.
### Summary
The Greek word G1613 (ektarássō) denotes a complete or profound disturbance, an "exceeding trouble," derived from the intensifying prefix ἐκ and the verb ταράσσω (to trouble). Its sole New Testament occurrence in [[Acts 16:20]] portrays the accusation against Paul and Silas for "exceedingly troubling" the city of Philippi. This single, potent use powerfully illustrates how the faithful proclamation of the Gospel, by challenging entrenched pagan practices and economic structures, can be perceived as a profound disruption to worldly order. Theologically, ektarássō underscores the often disruptive, yet ultimately redemptive, nature of God's truth, which "troubles" the darkness to bring forth light and establish true peace and order under the reign of Christ.
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