Word Study for G4724 (στέλλω)

stéllō /stel'-lo/ Ask about this word

Rootprobably strengthened from the base of ἵστημι

Meaningproperly, to set fast ("stall"), i.e. (figuratively) to repress (reflexively, abstain from associating with)

KJV usageavoid, withdraw self.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of stéllō — the range of meaning it carries, how Scripture actually uses it, and where it points. Written for readers who don’t know the original language.

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Greek word stéllō, represented by G4724, means to avoid or withdraw self. Its base definition suggests setting something fast, or figuratively, to repress and reflexively abstain from associating with someone. It appears 2 times across 2 unique verses in the Bible, highlighting specific contexts of separation.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In its biblical applications, G4724 signifies a deliberate act of separation for a clear purpose. It is used as a direct command in 2 Thessalonians 3:6, where believers are instructed to withdraw themselves from any brother who walks in a disorderly manner and not according to the tradition received from the apostles. In 2 Corinthians 8:20, the term is used to describe the proactive measure of avoiding any potential blame concerning the administration of a large offering, thereby protecting the integrity of the ministry.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words help clarify the meaning and context of G4724:

G3853 parangéllō (command): This term gives apostolic authority to the instruction to withdraw, showing it is not a suggestion but a directive for the church 2 Thessalonians 3:6.
G814 atáktōs (disorderly): This adverb describes the specific behavior that prompts the need for withdrawal, referring to a life lived irregularly and out of step with received teaching 2 Thessalonians 3:6.
G3469 mōmáomai (blame): This is what is being carefully prevented in 2 Corinthians 8:20. The act of avoiding is a direct attempt to prevent anyone from finding a reason to censure or discredit the ministry.
G3862 parádosis (tradition): This is the standard of conduct and belief that a disorderly brother has departed from, making withdrawal necessary to uphold the apostles' teaching 2 Thessalonians 3:6.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of G4724 is evident in its two distinct applications for church life and ministry.

Community Purity and Accountability: The command to withdraw is a tool for maintaining the health and witness of the church. It is a corrective action taken against a brother whose disorderly walk is contrary to the apostolic tradition 2 Thessalonians 3:6.
Ministerial Integrity and Wisdom: The act of avoiding reproach demonstrates the high value placed on a ministry's reputation. It shows foresight in preventing any opportunity for the ministry to be blamed, especially in the context of financial stewardship 2 Corinthians 8:20.

Summary

In summary, G4724 stéllō is a precise term for intentional separation. Though used infrequently, its appearances underscore two vital biblical principles: the need to withdraw from association with believers who persist in disorderly conduct and the wisdom of proactively avoiding any action that could bring reproach upon a ministry. It calls for both relational purity and practical prudence.

How the KJV Renders It

Translation

Strong’s lists the renderings but not their weight. These are counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the bar under each is how often the translators actually reached for it. Select one to filter the occurrences below.

Grammatical Forms

Morphology

In the Greek New Testament, this word appears as a verb across 2 occurrences, inflected in 2 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form. Select any form to read what each part of its name means, and to filter the occurrence list to it. These are this word’s own inflections, not words built from it — for those, see Related Words.

στέλλεσθαι
στελλόμενοι

Related Words

1 entry in Strong’s name this word as its origin. These are its derivatives — a different relationship from the inflected forms above, which are this same word bent by grammar.

Other entries the study above points to — each one is drawn from a reference it makes. Follow the trail to see how the words connect.

Theographic Context

Context

The people, places, and span of history the verses containing this word touch on — drawn from the theographic tagging of Scripture. Select any name to isolate its verses in the occurrence list.

Biblical Distribution

Distribution

Appears in 2 verses across 2 of the 27 books. Most frequent in 2 Corinthians and 2 Thessalonians (1 verse each); never once in the other 25.

2 Corinthians

2 Thessalonians

Every Occurrence

Concordance

Every verse where the word is tagged in the King James text. Filter by book, by the English word the translators chose, by grammatical form, or search within the verses.

Sources. Definition and numbering: James Strong, Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890). Morphology: STEPBible / Tyndale House (CC BY). Verse tagging: the King James text keyed to Strong’s numbers. Every count on this page is computed from the tagged corpus, not estimated.