Word Study for G645 (ἀποσπάω)

apospáō /ap-os-pah'-o/ Ask about this word

Rootfrom ἀπό and σπάω

Meaningto drag forth, i.e. (literally) unsheathe (a sword), or relatively (with a degree of force implied) retire (personally or factiously)

KJV usage(with-)draw (away), after we were gotten from.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of apospáō — 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 apospáō, represented by G645, is derived from ἀπό and σπάω. It means to drag forth, unsheathe a sword, or to retire or withdraw, often with an implied degree of force. This specific term appears 4 times across 4 unique verses in the Bible, highlighting its use in distinct and impactful moments.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

The uses of G645 illustrate its different shades of meaning. In a literal sense, it describes a disciple who drew his sword in the Garden of Gethsemane Matthew 26:51. It is also used to describe a personal withdrawal, as when Jesus was withdrawn from His disciples a short distance to pray Luke 22:41. The term can carry a negative, factious connotation, such as the warning that false teachers will arise to draw away disciples after themselves Acts 20:30. Finally, it conveys a sense of departure or separation, used when Paul and his companions were gotten from the Ephesian elders Acts 21:1.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words help clarify the context in which G645 is used:

G3162 máchaira (sword): This word for a knife or sword appears alongside G645 in the account of the disciple's violent act Matthew 26:51. Figuratively, it is called "the sword of the Spirit" Ephesians 6:17.
G3101 mathētḗs (disciple): Defined as a learner or pupil, this term is central to the warning in Acts, where false teachers attempt to draw away a following of disciples Acts 20:30.
G4336 proseúchomai (to pray): This word, meaning to pray to God or supplicate, is the reason for Jesus's withdrawal G645 in the garden, as He "kneeled down, and prayed" Luke 22:41.
G321 anágō (had launched): This term for launching forth or sailing is used immediately after Paul and his companions were "gotten from" the elders, marking the start of their journey after a difficult farewell Acts 21:1.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of G645 is seen in the contrast between its applications. The word highlights a critical moment of separation, which can be either righteous or destructive.

Withdrawal for Divine Communion: Jesus provides a model of spiritual discipline by purposefully withdrawing G645 from his closest followers in order to pray to the Father at a moment of immense trial Luke 22:41.
Impulsive Human Action: The word is used for the rash, physical act of one who drew his sword to defend Jesus, an action prompted by human instinct rather than divine will Matthew 26:51.
Intentional Division: The term serves as a stark warning about the danger of false doctrine, where divisive individuals actively seek to draw away disciples G3101, creating factions and pulling people away from the truth Acts 20:30.

Summary

In summary, G645 is a potent verb that signifies a forceful separation or pulling away. Though used sparingly in scripture, it captures a range of significant actions. It can describe the literal unsheathing of a sword, the intentional spiritual act of withdrawing for prayer, and the divisive work of those who lead believers astray. In each case, apospáō denotes a decisive, and often difficult, act of separation.

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 4 occurrences, inflected in 4 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form.

Aorist Active Indicative 3rd Singular 1×
Aorist Passive Indicative 3rd Singular 1×
Aorist Passive Participle Accusative Plural Masculine 1×
Present Active Infinitive 1×

Accusative: The direct object of the verb.
Singular: One.
Plural: More than one.
Masculine: Masculine grammatical gender.
3rd: Third person — the one spoken about ("he"/"they").
Present: Action in progress or repeated — happening now or continually.
Aorist: Action viewed as a single whole — usually a simple past event.
Active: The subject performs the action.
Passive: The subject is acted upon.
Indicative: A plain statement of fact.
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 4 verses across 3 of the 27 books. Most frequent in Acts (2 verses); never once in the other 24.

Matthew

Luke

Acts

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.