from σταυρός; to impale on the cross; figuratively, to extinguish (subdue) passion or selfishness:--crucify.
Transliteration:stauróō
Pronunciation:stow-ro'-o
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek verb stauróō (G4717) is derived from the noun `{{G4716}}` (stauros), meaning "cross" or "stake." Its primary and literal meaning is "to impale on the cross" or "to crucify," referring to the ancient Roman method of execution. This form of capital punishment was characterized by extreme pain, public shame, and a slow, agonizing death.
Figuratively, stauróō extends its semantic range to describe a radical act of putting something to death or rendering it powerless. In this sense, it means "to extinguish," "to subdue," or "to mortify" passion, selfishness, or the sinful nature. This metaphorical "crucifixion" implies a decisive and complete severing of ties with the object of the action, akin to the finality of death.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The literal use of stauróō dominates the Gospels and Acts, exclusively referring to the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Examples include:
* [[Matthew 20:19]]: Jesus prophesies that He will be "crucified."
* [[Matthew 27:22-23]], [[Matthew 27:26]]: The crowd demands Jesus be "crucified," and Pilate delivers Him to be "crucified."
* [[John 19:6]], [[John 19:15]]: The repeated cry of "Crucify Him!" by the Jewish leaders and the crowd.
* [[Acts 2:36]], [[Acts 4:10]]: Peter and John declare that God made Jesus, whom "you crucified," both Lord and Christ.
These historical accounts underscore the brutal reality of Christ's sacrifice and the specific manner of His atoning death.
In Paul's epistles, stauróō takes on profound theological and ethical dimensions, often used figuratively:
* [[Romans 6:6]]: "knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin." Here, the believer's "old man" (the unregenerate self enslaved to sin) is understood as having been decisively "crucified" with Christ. This is a past, completed act that forms the basis of the believer's freedom from sin's dominion.
* [[Galatians 2:20]]: "I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me." This powerful declaration describes the believer's radical identification with Christ in His death, leading to a new life where Christ's life is manifested through them.
* [[Galatians 5:24]]: "And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires." This verse presents an ethical imperative for believers. It refers to a decisive act of putting to death the sinful nature ("the flesh") and its desires, a continuous commitment in the process of sanctification.
* [[Galatians 6:14]]: "But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world." Here, the act of "crucifixion" (understood through the cross) signifies a complete separation and alienation from the world's values and systems, both for the believer from the world and the world from the believer.
### Related Words & Concepts
* `{{G4716}}` (stauros): The noun "cross," from which stauróō is derived. The instrument of Christ's death and the central symbol of Christian faith. Understanding the physical cross is essential to grasping the full impact of the verb.
* `{{G621}}` (apothnēskō): "to die." While related to the concept of death, stauróō specifies the unique and shameful manner of Christ's death, which was cursed ([[Galatians 3:13]]).
* `{{G3499}}` (nekróō): "to make dead," "to put to death." Similar to the figurative sense of stauróō in calling for the mortification of sinful members ([[Colossians 3:5]]), but stauróō carries the specific imagery of the cross, implying a more definitive and radical break.
* **Concepts:** Atonement, identification with Christ, death to self, mortification of the flesh, sanctification, new creation. The concept of "crucifixion" is foundational to Pauline theology, describing both a past redemptive act and an ongoing ethical demand.
### Theological Significance
The verb stauróō holds immense theological significance, serving as a bridge between the historical event of Christ's crucifixion and its profound implications for the believer's life.
1. **The Atoning Work of Christ:** The literal use of stauróō underscores the centrality of Christ's death on the cross as the unique and perfect sacrifice for sin. It highlights the depth of God's love and justice, where the penalty for humanity's sin was fully borne by Christ. His crucifixion was not merely a death, but a cursed death that absorbed the judgment due to humanity.
2. **Identification with Christ:** For the believer, stauróō signifies a spiritual reality of union with Christ. Through faith, believers are spiritually "crucified with Christ" ([[Romans 6:6]], [[Galatians 2:20]]). This means that the "old self," which was enslaved to sin, has died with Christ, breaking its power and dominion over the believer. This is a definitive act in salvation, not a gradual process.
3. **Freedom from Sin's Dominion:** As a result of being "crucified with Christ," believers are liberated from the power and mastery of sin ([[Romans 6:6]]). The old nature's grip is broken, allowing the believer to walk in newness of life, no longer compelled to obey sinful desires.
4. **The Ethical Call to Mortification:** The figurative use in [[Galatians 5:24]] presents an ongoing ethical imperative. While the old self is crucified *with* Christ, believers are called to actively "crucify the flesh with its passions and desires." This is the practical outworking of their identification with Christ's death, a daily commitment to put to death sinful inclinations and live according to the Spirit. It demands a radical break from self-centeredness and worldly values ([[Galatians 6:14]]).
### Summary
Stauróō (G4717) is a powerful Greek verb meaning "to crucify" or "to impale on the cross." Its literal usage consistently describes the historical crucifixion of Jesus Christ, emphasizing the brutal reality and redemptive purpose of His atoning death. Theologically, Christ's crucifixion is the pivotal act of salvation, bearing the curse of sin and providing reconciliation with God. In the Pauline epistles, stauróō takes on a profound figurative meaning, signifying the believer's spiritual identification with Christ's death. This identification means that the "old man" (the sinful self) has been decisively "crucified with Christ" ([[Romans 6:6]], [[Galatians 2:20]]), leading to liberation from sin's dominion. Furthermore, believers are ethically called to actively "crucify the flesh with its passions and desires" ([[Galatians 5:24]]), a daily commitment to put to death sinful inclinations and live in accordance with the Spirit. Thus, stauróō encapsulates both the finished work of Christ on the cross and the ongoing spiritual transformation required of those who follow Him, emphasizing a radical break from sin and the world for a life lived in Christ.
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