### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek word ἐκτρέπω (ektrépō), Strong's number `{{G1624}}`, is a compound verb derived from the preposition ἐκ (ek), meaning "out of" or "from," and the verb τρέπω (trépō), meaning "to turn." Thus, its core etymological meaning is "to turn out from," "to turn away from," or "to deflect."
The semantic range of ἐκτρέπω encompasses both literal and figurative applications:
1. **Literal Turning:** To physically turn aside from a path, course, or direction. This implies a deviation or an avoidance of a direct route.
2. **Figurative Deviation:** More commonly in the New Testament, it denotes a moral, spiritual, or doctrinal turning away. This can signify:
* **Departure from truth:** A rejection or abandonment of sound doctrine or divine revelation.
* **Moral apostasy:** A turning away from a righteous lifestyle or the path of faith.
* **Active avoidance/shunning:** To deliberately steer clear of something deemed harmful, profane, or unprofitable.
The word carries the nuance of a deliberate or an unfortunate departure from a prescribed or expected course, often with negative implications in its figurative uses.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term ἐκτρέπω appears five times in the New Testament, primarily in the Pastoral Epistles, highlighting its significance in discussions of church order, sound doctrine, and personal conduct.
1. **[[1 Timothy 1:6]]**: "From which some having swerved (ἐκτραπέντες) have turned aside to vain jangling." Here, the perfect participle indicates a completed action of deviation. The context concerns those who desire to be teachers of the law but do not understand what they are saying. Their "swerving" or "turning aside" is from the true purpose of the law, which is love from a pure heart, good conscience, and sincere faith. It describes a moral and doctrinal deviation leading to empty talk.
2. **[[1 Timothy 5:15]]**: "For some are already turned aside (ἐξετράπησαν) after Satan." This is a stark warning concerning younger widows who, instead of remaining steadfast in their commitment to Christ, have chosen a path that leads them away from the faith and into following Satan. The aorist indicative emphasizes a definite past action with ongoing consequences, underscoring the gravity of spiritual apostasy.
3. **[[1 Timothy 6:20]]**: "O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding (ἐκτρεπόμενος) profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called." In this imperative context, Paul instructs Timothy to actively "turn away from" or "avoid" certain harmful influences. The present participle indicates a continuous action of shunning or deflecting from these dangerous discussions, which threaten the integrity of the faith.
4. **[[2 Timothy 4:4]]**: "And they shall turn away (ἐκτραπήσονται) their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables." This prophecy describes a future apostasy where people will deliberately reject the truth of the gospel, preferring instead to listen to falsehoods and myths. The passive voice ("shall be turned") suggests both a susceptibility to deception and a willing turning away from divine revelation.
5. **[[Hebrews 12:13]]**: "And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way (ἐκτραπῇ)." This is the only occurrence outside the Pastoral Epistles and represents a more literal application. The exhortation is to live in such a way that one's example does not cause those who are weak or faltering ("lame") to stumble completely off the path of faith. The passive voice implies that the lame one might be "turned aside" or "dislocated" from the correct path.
Across these contexts, ἐκτρέπω consistently highlights a movement away from a desired or correct course, whether it be theological truth, moral uprightness, or the path of spiritual perseverance.
### Related Words & Concepts
Several Greek words share semantic overlap or conceptual connections with ἐκτρέπω:
* **`{{G5157}}` τρέπω (trépō):** The root verb meaning "to turn." ἐκτρέπω is a specific kind of turning – a turning *away from*.
* **`{{G654}}` ἀποστρέφω (apostréphō):** "To turn away, avert, reject." Often implies a deliberate turning away from something, similar to the active avoidance sense of ἐκτρέπω. For example, in [[Romans 11:26]], God will "turn away" ungodliness from Jacob.
* **`{{G4105}}` πλανάω (planáō):** "To wander, to lead astray, to deceive." While ἐκτρέπω describes the act of turning away, πλανάω often describes the state of being led astray or the act of leading others astray, which can be a cause or consequence of ἐκτρέπω.
* **`{{G3845}}` παραβαίνω (parabaínō):** "To go beside, to transgress, to violate." This word speaks to stepping over a boundary or rule, whereas ἐκτρέπω emphasizes a turning away from the path itself.
* **`{{G1578}}` ἐκκλίνω (ekklinō):** "To turn aside, deviate." Similar to ἐκτρέπω, but often with a focus on avoiding evil or turning from a path of unrighteousness, as in [[Romans 3:12]]: "They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one."
* **`{{G5157}}` τροπή (tropē):** "A turning, a change." The noun form related to the base of ἐκτρέπω, found in [[James 1:17]] describing God's unchangeableness ("no variableness, neither shadow of turning").
The conceptual field includes ideas of deviation, apostasy, error, and the need for steadfastness and discernment.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of ἐκτρέπω is profound, particularly within the context of Christian discipleship and the integrity of the church.
1. **Warning against Apostasy and Error:** The frequent use of ἐκτρέπω in the Pastoral Epistles underscores the ever-present danger of spiritual and doctrinal deviation. It highlights the reality that believers can "turn away" from truth, sound doctrine, and even from Christ to follow false teachings or worldly desires. This turning is often portrayed as a deliberate act or a susceptibility to deception that leads to serious spiritual consequences, even to the point of following Satan ([[1 Timothy 5:15]]).
2. **Importance of Discernment and Steadfastness:** The imperative to "avoid" (ἐκτρεπόμενος) profane babblings ([[1 Timothy 6:20]]) emphasizes the necessity for believers, especially leaders like Timothy, to exercise keen discernment. It calls for actively shunning influences that are antithetical to the gospel. This implies a need for spiritual maturity and a firm grounding in truth to remain steadfast on the path of faith.
3. **Pastoral Responsibility:** The use of ἐκτρέπω highlights a key aspect of pastoral care: guiding the flock away from error and protecting them from influences that could cause them to stray. The leader is called to model and teach adherence to truth, preventing others from being "turned out of the way" ([[Hebrews 12:13]]).
4. **The Nature of Truth and Falsehood:** The concept of "turning away from the truth" ([[2 Timothy 4:4]]) implicitly affirms the existence of an objective truth from which one can deviate. It contrasts this truth with "fables" and "vain babblings," emphasizing the critical distinction between divine revelation and human error or deception.
5. **Ethical Implications:** While often applied to doctrine, the word also carries ethical weight, as deviation from truth invariably leads to a departure from righteous conduct. The "swerving" in [[1 Timothy 1:6]] is not merely intellectual error but a failure to live out the love and good conscience that flow from genuine faith.
### Summary
The Greek word ἐκτρέπω (ektrépō, `{{G1624}}`) signifies "to turn away," "to deflect," or "to turn aside," encompassing both literal and figurative applications. In the New Testament, its primary use is figurative, denoting a moral, spiritual, or doctrinal deviation from truth, sound teaching, or the path of righteousness.
Mainly found in the Pastoral Epistles, ἐκτρέπω serves as a strong warning against apostasy and error. It describes individuals who "swerved" from the faith ([[1 Timothy 1:6]]), "turned aside after Satan" ([[1 Timothy 5:15]]), or who will "turn away their ears from the truth" ([[2 Timothy 4:4]]). Conversely, it is used imperatively to instruct believers to actively "avoid" or "shun" harmful and profane influences ([[1 Timothy 6:20]]). The sole occurrence outside these letters, in [[Hebrews 12:13]], uses the term in a more literal sense, urging believers to maintain a straight path so that the weak are not dislodged.
Theologically, ἐκτρέπω underscores the constant danger of spiritual wandering, the critical importance of discernment, and the necessity for steadfast adherence to God's truth. It highlights the responsibility of believers to remain vigilant against false teachings and ungodly practices, and for leaders to guide the flock away from such perilous deviations. The word thus encapsulates a vital aspect of Christian perseverance and the integrity of faith.
TRV