### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek verb ἐπιτρέπω (epitrépō, `{{G2010}}`) is derived from the preposition ἐπί (epi, meaning "upon" or "over") and the root of τρέπω (trepō, meaning "to turn"). Etymologically, it conveys the sense of "to turn over to" or "to commit to," which naturally extends to the idea of allowing or granting permission.
Its core meaning is to permit, allow, or give leave. The semantic range of epitrépō encompasses:
* **Permission and Authorization:** The most direct and frequent usage, indicating that an action is sanctioned or approved by someone in a position to grant such approval. This can range from a simple allowance to a formal authorization.
* **Concession or Tolerance:** In some contexts, it can imply a reluctant permission, a yielding to a request, or a temporary allowance, often due to circumstances that are not ideal. It denotes a non-prohibition rather than enthusiastic approval.
* **Delegation:** Less common, but the underlying sense of "turning over" can imply entrusting a task or responsibility to another.
* **Passive Allowance/Suffering:** To "suffer" or "let" something happen, not necessarily with active endorsement, but by refraining from preventing it when one has the power to do so.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
ἐπιτρέπω appears approximately 18 times in the New Testament, primarily in the Gospels and Pauline Epistles. Its usage consistently highlights the granting or withholding of permission by an authority.
* **Requests for Permission:** In the Gospels, disciples often seek permission from Jesus. For example, in [[Matthew 8:21]] and [[Luke 9:59]], a disciple asks, "Lord, permit me first to go and bury my father." Jesus' response, "Follow Me, and allow the dead to bury their own dead," underscores the supreme priority of the Kingdom of God over familial duties.
* **Divine Concession, Not Command:** A pivotal use is found in [[Matthew 19:8]] and [[Mark 10:4]], where Jesus explains that Moses "permitted" (ἐπέτρεψεν) divorce because of the hardness of their hearts, but "from the beginning it has not been this way." Here, epitrépō signifies a divine concession to human sinfulness, distinguishing it sharply from God's original, ideal will. It is an allowance, not an endorsement or command.
* **Christ's Authority Over Evil:** In [[Mark 5:13]] and [[Luke 8:32]], Jesus "permitted" (ἐπέτρεψεν) the legion of demons to enter the herd of swine. This demonstrates His absolute authority and sovereign control over demonic forces; even they must seek and receive His permission.
* **Formal Authorization:** [[Acts 21:39-40]] provides an example of formal permission granted by a human authority. Paul requests and receives permission from the Roman commander to speak to the crowd, illustrating the hierarchical structure of civil authority.
* **Ecclesiastical Order and Prohibition:** Paul uses epitrépō emphatically in his instructions concerning church order:
* In [[1 Corinthians 14:34]], he states, "the women are to keep silent in the churches; for they are not permitted (οὐ γὰρ ἐπιτρέπεται) to speak, but are to subject themselves, just as the Law also says."
* Similarly, in [[1 Timothy 2:12]], Paul declares, "But I do not permit (οὐκ ἐπιτρέπω) a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man, but to remain quiet." These passages are crucial for understanding Paul's teaching on roles and authority within the early church, indicating specific prohibitions rooted in theological principles rather than cultural preference alone.
* **Dependence on Divine Will:** The phrase "This we will do, if God permits" (ἐάνπερ ἐπιτρέπῃ ὁ θεός) in [[Hebrews 6:3]] encapsulates a profound theological truth: human plans and endeavors are ultimately subject to God's sovereign will and permission, fostering humility and reliance on divine providence.
### Related Words & Concepts
The semantic field of epitrépō interacts with several other significant Greek words and theological concepts:
* **Synonyms/Related Terms:**
* δίδωμι (didōmi, `{{G1325}}`): "to give," which can include granting permission.
* ἀφίημι (aphiēmi, `{{G863}}`): "to let go," "to permit," often with a sense of releasing or leaving alone.
* ἐξουσία (exousia, `{{G1849}}`): "authority," "power," "right." The ability to grant epitrépō stems from one's exousia.
* **Antonyms/Opposites:**
* κωλύω (kōlyō, `{{G2967}}`): "to hinder," "to forbid," "to prevent."
* ἀπαγορεύω (apagoreuō, `{{G533}}`): "to forbid," "to prohibit."
* **Conceptual Links:**
* **Authority and Sovereignty:** The very act of permitting presupposes an authority who has the right and power to grant or deny. This is profoundly evident in Christ's authority over demons and God's ultimate sovereignty over human plans.
* **Divine Will:** epitrépō helps distinguish between God's prescriptive will (what He commands as ideal) and His permissive will (what He allows, often due to human sin or specific circumstances).
* **Order and Disorder:** In the context of church life, the granting or withholding of permission (as in [[1 Timothy 2:12]]) is essential for maintaining proper order and function within the community of believers.
* **Freedom and Restraint:** The concept of permission inherently defines the boundaries of freedom, indicating where action is allowed and where it is restrained.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of ἐπιτρέπω is multifaceted and deeply insightful:
* **God's Sovereignty and Providence:** The most profound theological implication is the affirmation of God's ultimate sovereignty. Nothing happens outside of His knowledge or His ultimate permission. Even evil, though not willed by God, is permitted by Him for His greater purposes, as seen in Jesus' permission for demons to enter the swine ([[Mark 5:13]]). The phrase "if God permits" ([[Hebrews 6:3]]) serves as a theological anchor, reminding believers of their dependence on divine providence and the futility of plans made apart from God's will.
* **The Nature of Divine Law and Grace:** The distinction between God's ideal will and His permissive will, exemplified by Moses' allowance of divorce ([[Matthew 19:8]]), is crucial. It highlights that certain allowances in Scripture are not necessarily expressions of God's perfect design but rather concessions made in light of human fallenness and the limitations of a particular covenantal period. This underscores God's patience and grace while maintaining the standard of His original creation.
* **Ecclesiastical Authority and Order:** The explicit prohibitions in [[1 Corinthians 14:34]] and [[1 Timothy 2:12]] regarding women's roles in teaching and exercising authority within the church are foundational for understanding Pauline ecclesiology. These are not merely cultural suggestions but divinely inspired instructions concerning the order and structure of the church, rooted in theological principles such as creation order ([[1 Timothy 2:13-14]]). epitrépō here signifies the divine establishment of specific roles and the restriction of others for the well-being and proper functioning of the body of Christ.
* **Christ's Authority:** Jesus' repeated granting of permission, whether to demons or to His disciples (or the withholding thereof), consistently demonstrates His supreme authority as the Son of God, over both the natural and spiritual realms.
### Summary
ἐπιτρέπω (epitrépō, `{{G2010}}`) is a significant Greek verb signifying the act of granting permission, allowing, or conceding. Rooted in the idea of "turning over," it conveys the delegation or release of control. Its biblical occurrences reveal a spectrum of meaning, from simple requests for leave to profound theological statements about divine authority. The word illuminates key biblical themes: the nuanced distinction between God's ideal will and His gracious concessions to human sinfulness (e.g., divorce), the absolute sovereignty of Christ over all creation and spiritual forces, the establishment of divinely ordained order and roles within the church, and the humble recognition of God's ultimate control over all human endeavors. epitrépō consistently points to an authority figure, whether human or divine, who possesses the power and right to grant or withhold permission, thereby shaping actions and defining boundaries within the divine economy.
TRV