Word Study for G618 (ἀπολαμβάνω)

apolambánō /ap-ol-am-ban'-o/ Ask about this word

Rootfrom ἀπό and λαμβάνω

Meaningto receive (specially, in full, or as a host); also to take aside

KJV usagereceive, take.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of apolambánō — 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 apolambánō, represented by G618, means to receive something, often in full, or to take someone aside. It appears 14 times across 11 unique verses in the Bible. The word encompasses the idea of getting back what is due, whether as a reward, a consequence, or the return of a person.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In scripture, G618 is used to describe both divine and human transactions. Believers are told they will receive the reward of the inheritance from the Lord Colossians 3:24. Conversely, it is used for negative consequences, as in receiving the just recompence for error Romans 1:27 or the due reward for one's deeds Luke 23:41. The term also has a literal application, such as when Jesus took a man aside from the crowd Mark 7:33 or when the prodigal son was received back by his father Luke 15:27.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words help clarify the full scope of what it means to receive:

G1805 exagorázō (to buy up, i.e. ransom; figuratively, to rescue from loss (improve opportunity)): This action is a prerequisite for receiving salvation's benefits, as Christ came to redeem those under the law so they might receive the adoption of sons Galatians 4:5.
G3408 misthós (pay for service (literally or figuratively), good or bad): This often refers to what is received. Believers are encouraged not to lose what they have worked for, but to receive a full reward 2 John 1:8.
G4904 synergós (a co-laborer, i.e. coadjutor): This word highlights the relational aspect of receiving others. By choosing to receive certain individuals, believers become fellowhelpers to the truth 3 John 1:8.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of G618 is significant, highlighting key principles of divine justice and grace.

Divine Recompense: The word underscores the principle that actions have consequences. This can be positive, as in receiving "the reward of the inheritance" for serving Christ Colossians 3:24, or negative, as in receiving the "recompence" for error Romans 1:27.
Soteriological Benefits: A central use of the word is to describe receiving the blessings of salvation. Through Christ's redemptive work, believers receive the "adoption of sons" Galatians 4:5, fundamentally changing their relationship with God.
Christian Hospitality: The term is used to define the act of welcoming others into fellowship. This is seen in the father who received his son back "safe and sound" Luke 15:27 and the command to receive fellow believers 3 John 1:8.

Summary

In summary, G618 is a dynamic word that conveys more than simple reception. It carries a sense of finality and completeness, whether in receiving a full reward, a just consequence, a spiritual status like adoption, or a person back into relationship. From the intimate act of a father welcoming his son to the eternal promise of an inheritance, apolambánō defines critical moments of getting back what is given or due.

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 12 occurrences, inflected in 12 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form.

2nd Aorist Active Indicative 2nd Singular 1×
2nd Aorist Active Indicative 3rd Singular 1×
2nd Aorist Active Infinitive 1×
2nd Aorist Active Subjunctive 1st Plural 1×
2nd Aorist Active Subjunctive 2nd Plural 1×
2nd Aorist Active Subjunctive 3rd Plural 1×
2nd Aorist Active Subjunctive 3rd Singular 1×
2nd Aorist Middle Participle Nominative Singular Masculine 1×
Future Middle Deponent Indicative 2nd Plural 1×
Present Active Indicative 1st Plural 1×
Present Active Infinitive 1×
Present Active Participle Nominative Plural Masculine 1×

Nominative: The subject of the verb.
Singular: One.
Plural: More than one.
Masculine: Masculine grammatical gender.
1st: First person — the speaker ("I"/"we").
2nd: Second person — the one addressed ("you").
3rd: Third person — the one spoken about ("he"/"they").
Present: Action in progress or repeated — happening now or continually.
Future: Action yet to take place.
Aorist: Action viewed as a single whole — usually a simple past event.
Active: The subject performs the action.
Middle: The subject acts on or for itself.
Middle Deponent: Middle in form but active in meaning.
Indicative: A plain statement of fact.
Subjunctive: Possibility or purpose — "might", "should".
Infinitive: The verb as a noun — "to do".
Participle: A verbal adjective — describes while carrying the verb's action.

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 11 verses across 7 of the 27 books. Most frequent in Luke (5 verses); never once in the other 20.

Mark

Luke

Romans

Galatians

Colossians

2 John

3 John

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, 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.