### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek verb ἀποκυέω (apokyéō), Strong's number `{{G616}}`, is a compound word derived from the preposition ἀπό (apo), meaning "from" or "away from," and κυέω (kyō), meaning "to be pregnant" or "to conceive." The base definition further links it to κῦμα (kyma), a wave or swell, possibly alluding to the swelling associated with pregnancy. Literally, ἀποκυέω signifies "to bring forth from the womb," "to give birth to," or "to breed forth." By transference, as noted in its definition, it extends to the figurative sense of "to generate," "to produce," or "to cause to come into existence." This semantic range emphasizes the act of origination and the bringing of something new into being, whether literally or metaphorically.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term ἀποκυέω (apokyéō) appears twice in the New Testament, both instances found within the Epistle of James, where its usage is highly deliberate and impactful.
* **[[James 1:15]]**: "Then desire, when it has conceived, gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is fully grown, brings forth death." (τότε ἡ ἐπιθυμία συλλαβοῦσα τίκτει ἁμαρτίαν, ἡ δὲ ἁμαρτία ἀποτελεσθεῖσα ἀποκυέει θάνατον).
* Here, ἀποκυέει (apokyéō) is used metaphorically to describe the ultimate outcome of sin. The verse outlines a tragic spiritual progression: desire (ἐπιθυμία) conceives (συλλαβοῦσα) and gives birth (τίκτει `{{G5088}}`) to sin. Subsequently, sin, having matured (ἀποτελεσθεῖσα), "brings forth" or "gives birth to" death (θάνατον). This vivid imagery portrays death as the natural and inevitable offspring of sin, highlighting the destructive generative power inherent in unaddressed sin. The word emphasizes the final, fatal result of this spiritual lineage.
* **[[James 1:18]]**: "Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, so that we would be a kind of firstfruits among His creatures." (βουληθεὶς ἀπεκύησεν ἡμᾶς λόγῳ ἀληθείας, εἰς τὸ εἶναι ἡμᾶς ἀπαρχήν τινα τῶν αὐτοῦ κτισμάτων).
* In stark contrast to the previous usage, here ἀπεκύησεν (apokyéō) describes God's divine action. It is "of His own will" (βουληθεὶς) that God "brought us forth" (ἀπεκύησεν) by means of the "word of truth" (λόγῳ ἀληθείας). This refers to the spiritual regeneration or new birth of believers. The term underscores God's active, sovereign role as the originator and giver of spiritual life. Just as sin brings forth death, God, through His deliberate will and the power of His truth, brings forth spiritual life, making believers "a kind of firstfruits" (ἀπαρχήν τινα `{{G536}}`) of His new creation.
### Related Words & Concepts
The meaning of ἀποκυέω resonates with several other Greek terms and theological concepts:
* **κυέω (kyō)**: The underlying root, meaning "to be pregnant" or "to conceive," directly informs the literal and figurative sense of ἀποκυέω as bringing forth.
* **γεννάω (gennaō) `{{G1080}}`**: This is a more common and broader term meaning "to beget," "to give birth," or "to generate," used extensively for both physical and spiritual birth (e.g., "born again"). While sharing the semantic domain of bringing into being, ἀποκυέω might emphasize the specific *outcome* or *product* of a generative process, or the *source* from which something emerges.
* **τίκτω (tiktō) `{{G5088}}`**: Meaning "to bring forth" or "to give birth to," this word is used in parallel with ἀποκυέω in [[James 1:15]] ("desire... gives birth to sin"). The progression from τίκτω (birth of sin) to ἀποκυέω (birth of death from sin) suggests ἀποκυέω might denote a more ultimate or final stage in a chain of generation.
* **Regeneration and New Birth**: The concept of spiritual rebirth, a fundamental doctrine in Christian theology, is strongly conveyed by ἀποκυέω in [[James 1:18]]. This aligns with other New Testament passages that speak of God bringing believers into new life, emphasizing divine initiative (e.g., [[John 1:13]], [[Titus 3:5]]).
* **Creation and Firstfruits**: The reference to believers as "firstfruits" in [[James 1:18]] connects their spiritual birth to God's broader creative work, indicating they are the initial, consecrated portion of His new spiritual creation.
### Theological Significance
The strategic deployment of ἀποκυέω in James offers profound theological insights, presenting a powerful antithesis between two distinct generative processes.
* **The Destructive Generative Power of Sin**: In [[James 1:15]], the word starkly illustrates the inherent deadliness of sin. It is not merely a transgression but a potent force that, when allowed to mature, actively "gives birth" to death. This underscores the grave theological truth that sin has a natural, destructive lineage, leading inevitably to spiritual separation from God, the source of all life. It portrays sin as a corrupting force that generates its own fatal consequence.
* **The Sovereign and Life-Giving Will of God**: Conversely, [[James 1:18]] unveils the glorious, life-giving power of God's will. It asserts that spiritual life is not a human achievement but a divine act, originating entirely from God's benevolent choice (βουληθεὶς). God actively "brought us forth" into new life through the "word of truth," emphasizing His absolute sovereignty in the process of spiritual regeneration. This highlights God as the ultimate source of spiritual vitality, capable of bringing forth life from spiritual death, akin to His original act of creation. This divine act of "begetting" new life is a cornerstone of the doctrine of salvation, rooted in God's initiative and grace.
Thus, ἀποκυέω serves as a theological mirror, reflecting both the dire consequences of human fallenness and the magnificent, redemptive power of God's grace, underscoring the active, generative nature of both spiritual corruption and divine salvation.
### Summary
The Greek word ἀποκυέω (apokyéō), Strong's number `{{G616}}`, denotes the act of "bringing forth," "giving birth to," or "generating." Its limited but impactful usage in the Epistle of James provides a striking theological contrast. In [[James 1:15]], it vividly portrays sin's inevitable progression, illustrating how mature sin "brings forth" death. This emphasizes the destructive, generative power of evil. In profound opposition, [[James 1:18]] reveals God's sovereign act of "bringing forth" believers into spiritual life through the word of truth. This highlights God's initiative and power in regeneration, making believers "firstfruits" of His new creation. Thus, ἀποκυέω underscores the active role of an agent in producing a significant outcome, whether it be the spiritual death caused by sin or the spiritual life bestowed by God's will, making it a critical term for understanding the dynamics of both human depravity and divine grace.
TRV