### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek verb ἀποπλέω (apopléō, `{{G636}}`) is a compound word formed from the preposition ἀπό (apo, meaning "from" or "away from") and the verb πλέω (pleō, meaning "to sail"). Its core meaning is therefore "to sail away" or "to depart by ship." The prefix ἀπό emphasizes the movement *away from* a starting point, distinguishing it from a general act of sailing. The semantic range of ἀποπλέω in the New Testament is quite narrow and consistently refers to the literal act of commencing a sea voyage from a specific location. It does not carry significant metaphorical or figurative connotations but serves as a precise descriptor of maritime departure.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The verb ἀποπλέω (apopléō, `{{G636}}`) appears three times in the New Testament, exclusively within the book of Acts, which chronicles the early missionary journeys of the apostles. In each instance, it describes a physical departure by sea:
* **[[Acts 14:26]]**: "And when they had preached the word in Perga, they went down to Attalia, and from there they sailed away to Antioch, from which they had been commended to the grace of God for the work that they had fulfilled." Here, Paul and Barnabas conclude a leg of their first missionary journey and depart by ship from Attalia, returning to their sending church in Antioch. The act of "sailing away" marks the completion of their evangelistic tour and their return home.
* **[[Acts 20:6]]**: "But we sailed away from Philippi after the days of Unleavened Bread, and in five days we came to them at Troas, where we stayed for seven days." This passage describes Paul and his companions (including Luke, indicated by "we") departing from Philippi. The phrase highlights the commencement of another significant leg of Paul's third missionary journey, emphasizing the onward movement of the apostolic mission.
* **[[Acts 27:1]]**: "And when it was decided that we should sail for Italy, they delivered Paul and some other prisoners to a centurion named Julius, of the Augustan Cohort. And embarking in a ship of Adramyttium, which was about to sail to the places along the coast of Asia, we put to sea." While the KJV translates "we launched" or "we sailed" in some versions, the underlying Greek is ἀποπλέω, indicating their departure from the initial port. This marks the beginning of Paul's arduous journey to Rome as a prisoner, a voyage fraught with peril but ultimately guided by divine providence.
In all contexts, ἀποπλέω functions as a straightforward, descriptive term for setting sail from a port, underscoring the practical logistics of travel in the ancient world and the extensive journeys undertaken by early Christian missionaries.
### Related Words & Concepts
Understanding ἀποπλέω (apopléō, `{{G636}}`) is enhanced by examining related Greek terms for maritime travel:
* **πλέω (pleō, `{{G4131}}`)**: The root verb, meaning simply "to sail." ἀποπλέω specifies sailing *away* or *from*.
* **ἀνάγω (anagō, `{{G321}}`)**: Often used in the context of ships, meaning "to put to sea" or "to set sail." While it has a broader semantic range (to lead up, bring up), its use for ships implies lifting anchor and heading out, similar to ἀποπλέω in effect, though perhaps with a different emphasis on the initial act of raising anchor versus the act of departing.
* **ἐκπλέω (ekpleō, `{{G1602}}`)**: Meaning "to sail out" or "to sail forth." This term is very close in meaning and usage to ἀποπλέω, often implying sailing out of a harbor or a specific location. Both emphasize departure.
* **καταπλέω (katapleō, `{{G2706}}`)**: Meaning "to sail down" or "to arrive by sailing." This is essentially the opposite action of ἀποπλέω, describing arrival rather than departure.
The concept of "journey" or "travel" (ὁδός, hodós, `{{G3598}}`) is also closely related, as sailing was a primary mode of long-distance travel in the Greco-Roman world. The frequent use of such terms highlights the dynamic and mobile nature of the early apostolic mission.
### Theological Significance
While ἀποπλέω (apopléō, `{{G636}}`) itself is a largely descriptive and technical term for maritime departure, its theological significance emerges indirectly from its consistent use within the narrative of the early church's expansion.
1. **The Global Scope of the Great Commission**: The repeated instances of apostles "sailing away" from one region to another underscore the extensive geographical reach of their evangelistic efforts. The command to "go into all the world" ([[Mark 16:15]]) necessitated such journeys, and ἀποπλέω serves as a practical illustration of this global imperative.
2. **Divine Providence in Apostolic Journeys**: Though merely descriptive of travel, these departures are never random. They are often undertaken in response to divine guidance, visions, or the leading of the Holy Spirit. Even Paul's journey to Rome as a prisoner, initiated by "sailing away" from Adramyttium, was part of God's sovereign plan to bring the Gospel to the imperial capital ([[Acts 23:11]]). The act of departure, therefore, becomes a step of faith and obedience within God's larger redemptive narrative.
3. **The Practicalities of Ministry**: The consistent use of terms like ἀποπλέω reminds us of the human effort, logistical challenges, and physical endurance required for early Christian ministry. The apostles were not merely spiritual figures but real people undertaking arduous and sometimes dangerous journeys, relying on the common modes of transport of their day. This grounds the spiritual mission in the tangible realities of human experience.
4. **A Metaphor for Life's Journey (Implicit)**: While not explicitly metaphorical in its New Testament usage, the act of "sailing away" can subtly evoke the broader biblical theme of life as a pilgrimage or journey. Believers are often depicted as sojourners, and the act of departing from one place to another can symbolize the onward movement of faith and the pursuit of God's calling.
### Summary
The Greek verb ἀποπλέω (apopléō, `{{G636}}`) literally means "to sail away" or "to depart by ship," emphasizing the act of leaving a location by sea. It is consistently used in the book of Acts to describe the commencement of various legs of the apostles' missionary journeys, such as Paul and Barnabas "sailing away" from Attalia ([[Acts 14:26]]) or Paul and his companions "sailing away" from Philippi ([[Acts 20:6]]). While a purely descriptive term for maritime travel, its theological significance lies in underscoring the practical realities of the early church's global mission, the extensive journeys undertaken in obedience to the Great Commission, and the implicit divine guidance that often directed these crucial departures.
TRV