### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek verb ἀποτίθημι (apotíthēmi, `{{G659}}`) is a compound word formed from the preposition ἀπό (apo, `{{G575}}`), meaning "from" or "away from," and the verb τίθημι (tithēmi, `{{G5087}}`), meaning "to place," "to put," or "to set." The core meaning, therefore, is "to put away from oneself," "to lay aside," or "to remove." This implies a deliberate and decisive act of divestment. Its semantic range extends from the literal act of laying down physical objects (e.g., clothes, burdens) to the figurative and more common New Testament usage of divesting oneself of undesirable moral qualities, behaviors, or even an entire way of life. It conveys a sense of finality in the act of removal, suggesting something that is no longer to be retained or associated with.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The verb ἀποτίθημι appears several times in the New Testament, almost exclusively in a figurative sense, emphasizing a moral or spiritual divestment.
* **Romans 13:12**: Paul exhorts believers to "lay aside the works of darkness and put on the armor of light." Here, ἀποτίθημι signifies a decisive break with sinful practices associated with the night, preparing for a life lived in the light of Christ's imminent return.
* **Ephesians 4:22, 25**: In a foundational passage on Christian ethics, believers are commanded to "put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires" ([[Ephesians 4:22]]). This is followed by the specific instruction to "put away falsehood" ([[Ephesians 4:25]]). The "old self" is not merely a set of behaviors but a whole identity tied to unregenerate life, which must be decisively discarded.
* **Colossians 3:8**: Similar to Ephesians, Paul instructs the Colossian believers to "put away all these: anger, wrath, malice, slander, obscene talk from your mouth." This list specifies the inward attitudes and outward expressions that are incompatible with the new life in Christ.
* **Hebrews 12:1**: The author encourages believers to "lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely," enabling them to run the race with endurance. Here, "weights" and "sin" are hindrances that must be actively removed to pursue a life of faith effectively.
* **James 1:21**: James urges his readers to "put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word." This emphasizes the necessity of moral cleansing as a prerequisite for spiritual receptivity to God's truth.
* **1 Peter 2:1**: Peter similarly calls for believers to "put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander." This comprehensive list underscores the need for a thorough purging of negative interpersonal attitudes and actions within the believing community.
Across these occurrences, the consistent theme is an active, volitional act of divesting oneself of sinful behaviors, attitudes, or the very "old self" that characterized life apart from Christ. It is a command to cease and remove that which is contrary to God's will and the new identity in Christ.
### Related Words & Concepts
The concept of "putting away" (ἀποτίθημι) is often presented in antithesis to "putting on" or "clothing oneself with" (e.g., ἐνδύω, endyō, `{{G1746}}` or ἐπενδύω, ependyō, `{{G1909}}`). This pairing forms a crucial theological and ethical framework, particularly in Pauline epistles. For instance, in Romans 13:12, "lay aside the works of darkness" is immediately followed by "put on the armor of light." Similarly, Ephesians 4:22's "put off your old self" is balanced by "put on the new self" ([[Ephesians 4:24]]). This highlights a two-fold process of spiritual transformation: a negative act of divestment and a positive act of investment in Christ-like character.
Other related concepts include:
* **Repentance (μετάνοια, metanoia, `{{G3341}}`)**: While ἀποτίθημι focuses on the act of removal, repentance is the broader change of mind and direction that precedes or accompanies such an act.
* **Sanctification (ἁγιασμός, hagiasmos, `{{G38}}`)**: The ongoing process of becoming holy and set apart for God's purposes, in which "putting away" sin is a vital and continuous component.
* **Purification (καθαρισμός, katharismos, `{{G251}}`)**: The act of cleansing, which results from the "putting away" of defilement.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of ἀποτίθημι is profound, touching upon the nature of Christian conversion, ethical living, and sanctification.
Firstly, it underscores the **radical nature of conversion**. Becoming a follower of Christ is not merely adding new beliefs but involves a decisive break with the former way of life. The "old self" and its associated behaviors must be actively discarded, signifying a fundamental reorientation of one's identity and allegiances.
Secondly, it presents an **ethical imperative** for believers. The use of the imperative mood in most occurrences of ἀποτίθημι indicates that "putting away" is not an optional suggestion but a divine command. It requires conscious effort, self-denial, and a determined will to align one's conduct with one's new identity in Christ. This is an active, ongoing process, not a one-time event.
Thirdly, it highlights the **dynamic process of sanctification**. While justification is a completed act, sanctification is a progressive work. Believers are continually called to identify and "put away" anything that hinders their spiritual growth or dishonors God. This ongoing divestment is crucial for cultivating Christ-like character and living out the implications of one's redemption.
Finally, the contrast with "putting on" the new self emphasizes that Christian ethics is not merely negative (avoiding evil) but also profoundly positive (embodying righteousness). The act of "putting away" creates space for the "putting on" of virtues and the character of Christ, facilitated by the indwelling Holy Spirit.
### Summary
The Greek verb ἀποτίθημι (apotíthēmi, `{{G659}}`) signifies a decisive act of "putting away" or "laying aside." In the New Testament, its primary application is figurative, commanding believers to divest themselves of sinful behaviors, attitudes, and the very "old self" that characterized their life apart from Christ. This act of moral and spiritual divestment is a crucial aspect of Christian conversion, an ongoing ethical imperative for believers, and an integral part of the process of sanctification. Often paired with the concept of "putting on" the new self or virtues, ἀποτίθημι underscores the active and radical nature of the transformed life in Christ, demanding a conscious and continuous separation from all that is contrary to God's holy character.
TRV