from ἐπί and ἄγω; to superinduce, i.e. inflict (an evil), charge (a crime):--bring upon.
Transliteration:epágō
Pronunciation:ep-ag'-o
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek verb ἐπάγω (epágō, `{{G1863}}`) is a compound word formed from the preposition ἐπί (epi, `{{G1909}}`), meaning "upon," "on," or "against," and the verb ἄγω (agō, `{{G71}}`), meaning "to lead" or "to bring." The literal sense of the compound is therefore "to lead upon" or "to bring upon."
Its semantic range in the New Testament, as well as in the Septuagint (where it frequently translates Hebrew terms like בּוֹא (bo, `{{H935}}`) in the Hiphil stem), primarily conveys the active imposition or introduction of something, often with negative connotations. This includes:
1. **To inflict:** To bring about or cause to happen, particularly in the sense of bringing evil, punishment, or judgment upon someone or something.
2. **To introduce:** To bring in or usher in something, especially that which is harmful or destructive.
3. **To charge:** To lay blame or impute guilt upon someone, holding them accountable for a crime or offense.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The verb ἐπάγω appears four times in the New Testament, each instance illuminating its nuanced meaning:
* **[[Acts 5:28]]**: "Did we not strictly command you not to teach in this name? And look, you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and intend to bring [[ἐπάγω]] this man's blood upon us." Here, the Sanhedrin accuses the apostles of attempting to make them culpable for Jesus' death. The phrase "bring this man's blood upon us" signifies imputing guilt or laying the blame for his murder at their feet. This highlights the "charging a crime" aspect of epágō.
* **[[Acts 13:40]]**: "Beware, therefore, lest what is said in the Prophets should come [[ἐπάγω]] upon you." In Paul's sermon at Antioch, he warns his Jewish audience against rejecting the gospel, implying that the divine judgments prophesied in the Old Testament might be "brought upon" them. This usage clearly denotes the infliction of adverse consequences or divine judgment.
* **[[2 Peter 2:1]]**: "But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring [[ἐπάγω]] in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction upon themselves." Here, epágō describes the insidious introduction of harmful doctrines by false teachers. It speaks to the active and deliberate act of bringing something damaging into an existing community or system, leading to spiritual ruin.
* **[[2 Peter 2:5]]**: "if he did not spare the ancient world, but preserved Noah, a herald of righteousness, with seven others, when he brought [[ἐπάγω]] a flood upon the world of the ungodly;" This verse presents a direct example of God's active judgment. The flood was not a passive occurrence but was directly "brought upon" the ungodly world by divine initiative. This is a clear instance of God inflicting punishment due to widespread wickedness.
### Related Words & Concepts
Understanding ἐπάγω is enhanced by considering its constituent parts and related theological concepts:
* **ἄγω (agō, `{{G71}}`)**: The base verb, meaning "to lead" or "to bring," emphasizes the active and directional nature of epágō. Something is not merely happening, but it is being *brought* to a specific place or upon a specific entity.
* **ἐπί (epi, `{{G1909}}`)**: The preverb intensifies the direction, indicating "upon," "against," or "in addition to," reinforcing the idea of imposition or superinduction.
* **Concepts of Judgment and Consequences:** ἐπάγω is intrinsically linked to the themes of divine judgment, retribution, and the natural or supernatural consequences of actions. It often highlights the active role of God or human agents in initiating these outcomes.
* **Culpability and Blame:** As seen in [[Acts 5:28]], the word can convey the concept of being held accountable or having guilt imputed.
* **Introduction of Error:** The use in [[2 Peter 2:1]] connects ἐπάγω to the grave danger of false teaching and the deliberate act of introducing spiritual poison into the church.
* **Septuagintal Background:** In the Greek Old Testament, ἐπάγω frequently translates Hebrew verbs like בּוֹא (bo, `{{H935}}`), particularly when God "brings" a plague, disaster, or judgment upon a people (e.g., Exodus 10:13, Deuteronomy 28:15, Isaiah 42:25). This established usage informs its New Testament meaning, particularly in contexts of divine action.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of ἐπάγω is profound, touching upon divine attributes, human responsibility, and the nature of spiritual danger:
* **Divine Sovereignty and Justice:** The most prominent theological implication is God's active and sovereign role in bringing about judgment and consequences for sin. As seen in [[2 Peter 2:5]] and implied in [[Acts 13:40]], God is not a passive observer but an active agent who "brings upon" the ungodly the just recompense for their actions. This underscores His righteousness and holiness.
* **Human Accountability:** In the context of [[Acts 5:28]], ἐπάγω highlights the concept of human culpability and the weight of moral responsibility. It speaks to the desire to avoid guilt for grave actions, even when that guilt is deserved.
* **The Gravity of False Teaching:** The use of ἐπάγω in [[2 Peter 2:1]] to describe the introduction of "destructive heresies" emphasizes the severe spiritual danger posed by false teachers. It portrays their actions as actively bringing ruin upon believers, underscoring the importance of doctrinal purity and discernment within the church.
* **The Active Nature of Consequences:** Across its uses, ἐπάγω consistently conveys that consequences—whether divine judgment, human blame, or spiritual ruin—are not merely passive outcomes but are actively "brought upon" individuals or groups. This implies a direct causal link between actions (or inactions) and their repercussions, affirming a moral order in the universe.
### Summary
The Greek verb ἐπάγω (`{{G1863}}`) signifies "to bring upon" or "to inflict," derived from ἐπί (upon) and ἄγω (to lead/bring). In the New Testament, its usage reveals a semantic range encompassing the infliction of negative consequences (divine judgment or human retribution), the insidious introduction of harmful elements (like heresies), and the imputation of blame or guilt. Its occurrences in Acts relate to human attempts to assign culpability (Acts 5:28) and the fulfillment of prophetic judgments (Acts 13:40). In 2 Peter, it vividly describes God's active bringing of the flood upon the ungodly (2 Peter 2:5) and the deliberate introduction of destructive heresies by false teachers (2 Peter 2:1). Theologically, ἐπάγω profoundly emphasizes God's active justice and sovereignty in judgment, the reality of human accountability for actions, and the grave danger posed by the active propagation of spiritual error. It consistently portrays consequences as actively "brought upon" rather than merely occurring.
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