### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek verb ἐκφεύγω (ekpheúgō, `{{G1628}}`) is a compound word derived from the preposition ἐκ (ek, "out of," "from") and the verb φεύγω (pheúgō, "to flee," "to escape"). This etymological composition precisely defines its core meaning: "to flee out of" or "to escape from" a particular place, situation, or danger. The prefix ἐκ intensifies or specifies the direction of the flight, emphasizing a successful departure from a confined or perilous state. Its semantic range extends from a literal, physical act of evasion or deliverance to a metaphorical escape from divine judgment or an impending catastrophe. The word inherently carries the nuance of avoiding or successfully evading a threat, often implying a narrow deliverance.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term ἐκφεύγω appears in several significant New Testament passages, each illuminating a distinct facet of its meaning:
* In [[Luke 21:36]], Jesus exhorts His disciples to "stay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength to *escape* all these things that are going to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man." Here, ekpheúgō refers not to a physical flight from the eschatological tribulations, but rather to a spiritual preparedness and endurance that enables believers to navigate and emerge from such trials, ultimately standing approved before Christ. It speaks to a divine enablement to persevere rather than a mere evasion.
* Paul employs the word in [[Romans 2:3]], challenging the self-righteous: "Do you suppose, O man—you who judge those who practice such things and yet do them yourself—that you will *escape* the judgment of God?" This rhetorical question underscores the futility of attempting to evade divine reckoning through hypocrisy. It highlights the inescapable nature of God's righteous judgment for those who persist in sin.
* In [[2 Corinthians 11:33]], Paul recounts a personal experience: "But I was let down in a basket through a window in the wall and *escaped* his hands." This is a clear instance of ekpheúgō denoting a literal, physical escape from imminent danger and capture, showcasing God's providential care for His servant.
* The impossibility of escaping judgment is reiterated in [[1 Thessalonians 5:3]]: "While people are saying, 'Peace and safety,' then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not *escape*." This verse, set in an eschatological context, warns of the sudden and unavoidable nature of divine judgment for those unprepared for the Lord's return.
* Finally, in [[Hebrews 12:25]], the author issues a solemn warning: "See that you do not refuse him who is speaking. For if they did not *escape* when they refused him who warned them on earth, much less will we escape if we reject him who warns from heaven." This passage draws a parallel between the consequences of rejecting God's word in the Old Covenant and the even graver consequences of rejecting Christ's heavenly warning, emphasizing the absolute certainty of divine retribution for disobedience.
Across these contexts, ekpheúgō consistently points to the act of avoiding or being delivered from a perilous situation, whether physical or, more often, spiritual and eschatological.
### Related Words & Concepts
ἐκφεύγω is closely related to its base verb φεύγω (pheúgō, `{{G5343}}`), which simply means "to flee." The addition of ἐκ in ἐκφεύγω often implies a successful or complete departure "out of" a situation, adding a nuance of deliverance or effective evasion not always present in φεύγω. Another related term is διαφεύγω (diapheúgō, `{{G1220}}`), "to flee through" or "escape through," which carries a similar sense of successful evasion.
Conceptually, ekpheúgō stands in contrast to concepts such as being seized (καταλαμβάνω, katalambanō, `{{G2638}}`), captured, or suffering the full weight of consequences. It is distinct from, yet often a result of, salvation (σῴζω, sōzō, `{{G4982}}`), as escaping a danger can be a form of being saved. The word is intrinsically linked to themes of divine judgment, human accountability, eschatological events, and God's sovereign power to deliver or to allow consequences.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of ἐκφεύγω is profound, particularly in its application to divine judgment. While it can describe a physical deliverance by God's providence (as seen with Paul in [[2 Corinthians 11:33]]), its more frequent and weighty usage concerns the impossibility of escaping God's ultimate judgment for those who remain unrepentant or disobedient.
The repeated warnings in [[Romans 2:3]], [[1 Thessalonians 5:3]], and [[Hebrews 12:25]] serve as stark reminders that human attempts to evade divine reckoning are futile. There is no hidden place or cunning strategy that can shield one from the justice of an omniscient and omnipotent God. This underscores a core biblical truth: accountability before God is inescapable. The only true "escape" from judgment is found in repentance and faith in Christ, through whom the wrath of God is averted, not evaded.
Conversely, the use in [[Luke 21:36]] offers a nuanced perspective. The "escape" prayed for is not an avoidance of tribulation, but rather the spiritual strength and preparedness to *endure* and *stand* through it, ultimately being found worthy before Christ. This highlights the concept of divine enablement for believers to navigate challenging times, rather than a promise of being removed from all difficulty. Thus, ekpheúgō serves both as a warning to the ungodly concerning their inevitable judgment and as an encouragement to the faithful regarding God's empowering presence in their trials.
### Summary
ἐκφεύγω (ekpheúgō, `{{G1628}}`) fundamentally means "to flee out of" or "to escape," carrying the connotation of successful evasion or deliverance from a perilous situation. In the New Testament, its usage spans both literal physical escape (e.g., Paul's deliverance in [[2 Corinthians 11:33]]) and, more significantly, the concept of escaping divine judgment. While God's providence can effect physical escapes for His servants, the Scriptures emphatically teach the impossibility of escaping God's ultimate judgment for those who reject His word or persist in unrepentance ([[Romans 2:3]], [[1 Thessalonians 5:3]], [[Hebrews 12:25]]). The call to "escape" in [[Luke 21:36]] refers to spiritual preparedness to endure and stand through eschatological events. Therefore, ekpheúgō serves as a potent theological term, highlighting both the inescapable nature of divine judgment for the disobedient and God's power to deliver and sustain His faithful people.
TRV