from ἐκ and ἑλκύω; to drag forth, i.e. (figuratively) to entice (to sin):--draw away.
Transliteration:exélkō
Pronunciation:ex-el'-ko
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek verb ἐξέλκω (exélkō, `{{G1828}}`) is a compound word formed from the preposition ἐκ (ek), meaning "out of" or "from," and the verb ἑλκύω (helkýō, `{{G1670}}`), meaning "to drag," "to draw," or "to pull." The literal sense of ἐξέλκω is therefore "to drag out," "to pull forth," or "to draw away from." This implies a forceful, often compelling, movement away from an initial position. In its sole New Testament occurrence, the word is used metaphorically and figurally to describe the process by which an individual is enticed or lured into sin. The base definition provided, "to drag forth, i.e. (figuratively) to entice (to sin):--draw away," accurately captures this semantic shift from a physical act of pulling to a psychological or spiritual act of luring. The inherent sense of being drawn *away* from a state of righteousness or neutrality into a state of sin is crucial to its meaning.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The verb ἐξέλκω (`{{G1828}}`) appears only once in the entire New Testament, in the Epistle of James:
* [[James 1:14]]: "But each person is tempted when he is **drawn away** by his own evil desire and enticed."
In this pivotal verse, James describes the internal mechanism of temptation. The individual is not tempted by God, but rather by their own ἐπιθυμία (epithymía, `{{G1939}}`), which refers to strong desires, often with a negative connotation of lust or evil craving. The use of ἐξέλκω here vividly portrays the process: one is "dragged out" or "drawn away" from a state of spiritual equilibrium or innocence by the powerful pull of their own internal, unholy desires. This is not a gentle leading, but an forceful, almost irresistible, attraction. The word is immediately followed by δελεάζω (deleázō, `{{G1185}}`), meaning "to entice" or "to bait" (often used in the context of fishing), which further amplifies the imagery of being lured into a trap. The combination of "drawn away" and "enticed" paints a clear picture of the internal seduction that leads to sin, emphasizing the human agent's internal susceptibility rather than external divine instigation.
### Related Words & Concepts
Understanding ἐξέλκω (`{{G1828}}`) is enhanced by examining its linguistic and thematic kin:
* ἑλκύω (helkýō, `{{G1670}}`): The root verb of ἐξέλκω, meaning "to draw" or "to drag." While ἑλκύω can be used positively (e.g., Jesus drawing all people to Himself in [[John 12:32]], or the Father drawing people to the Son in [[John 6:44]]), the prefixed form ἐξέλκω specifically denotes a drawing *out* or *away*, invariably in a negative sense in the New Testament.
* δελεάζω (deleázō, `{{G1185}}`): Meaning "to entice" or "to bait," this verb appears alongside ἐξέλκω in [[James 1:14]]. It reinforces the idea of being lured, much like a fish is lured by bait, highlighting the deceptive and attractive nature of sinful desire.
* πειρασμός (peirasmós, `{{G3986}}`): The broader concept of "temptation" or "testing" that ἐξέλκω helps to define in [[James 1:14]]. James's teaching distinguishes between trials that produce steadfastness ([[James 1:2-4]]) and temptations that lead to sin.
* ἐπιθυμία (epithymía, `{{G1939}}`): "Desire" or "lust." This is the internal force that "draws away" the individual according to [[James 1:14]]. It is the internal wellspring from which sin emerges.
* The broader biblical concept of being "led astray" or "straying" from God's path, often conveyed by verbs like πλανάω (planáō, `{{G4105}}`), meaning "to lead astray" or "to wander." ἐξέλκω provides a specific mechanism for how this straying begins, rooted in internal desire.
### Theological Significance
Despite its singular occurrence, ἐξέλκω (`{{G1828}}`) carries profound theological weight, particularly in its context within [[James 1:13-15]].
1. **Origin of Temptation:** The word fundamentally clarifies that temptation leading to sin does not originate with God. James explicitly states, "Let no one say when he is tempted, 'I am being tempted by God,' for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one" ([[James 1:13]]). Instead, ἐξέλκω attributes the source of sinful temptation to the individual's own ἐπιθυμία. This underscores human responsibility in the face of moral choices.
2. **The Process of Sin:** ἐξέλκω describes the initial, internal phase of falling into sin. It is not a sudden, unprovoked act, but a process where one is *drawn away* by an inner pull. This highlights the insidious nature of sin, which often begins with a subtle, yet powerful, internal enticement before blossoming into full-blown transgression.
3. **Human Agency:** The passive voice ("is drawn away") combined with the agent ("by his own evil desire") emphasizes that while desires exert a powerful pull, the individual remains the locus of the temptation. It is *their* desire that draws *them* away, implying that resisting this pull is within the realm of human agency, aided by divine grace.
4. **A Warning:** The vivid imagery of being "dragged out" serves as a potent warning against underestimating the power of internal sinful desires. It calls believers to self-awareness and vigilance against the insidious way in which sin can begin to pull one away from faithfulness.
### Summary
ἐξέλκω (`{{G1828}}`), meaning "to drag forth" or "to draw away," captures the forceful, yet internal, process of being lured into sin. Its sole New Testament appearance in [[James 1:14]] is crucial for understanding the theology of temptation. Here, it describes how an individual is "drawn away" by their own ἐπιθυμία (`{{G1939}}`) or evil desire, a process further intensified by being "enticed" (`{{G1185}}`). Theologically, ἐξέλκω affirms that the origin of sin lies within human desires, not with God, thereby emphasizing human responsibility. It vividly portrays the initial, internal seduction that leads to transgression, serving as a solemn warning to believers about the power of unbridled desires and the necessity of spiritual vigilance.
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